Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Incident Code

RS4260

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

معرشمشة, Ma’ar Shamsha, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian reportedly died in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on Ma’ar Shamsha, southern Idlib countryside, around noon on December 17, 2019.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the victim’s name is Mohammad Abdul Razzaq Al Shahhoud.

According to Al Jazeera, the attack had been “carried out by Syrian regime helicopters”. Facebook User Haisam.aldalati.7 reported instead that Sukhoi-24 warplanes conducted the strike. Jisr Press detailed that the strike consisted of two barrel bombs.

Relatives of the victim mourned their loss on social media, among them Al Shahhoud’s daughter, Zahra Shahhoud, who posted on Facebook: “The heart grieves, and we are sad for your separation from us, my father. May Allah accept us, and we are patient, with Allah’s permission. But dad, tears betray the eyes. We belong to God and to Him we shall return”. Al Shahhoud’s cousin (with the Facebook User name “91Zakarya”) also mourned his relative’s death.

Video footage documents the explosion cloud above what seems to be Ma’ar Shamsha. Other video footage by Enab Baladi shows families in distress in the aftermath of the attack, as well as a White Helmet rescue operation on their way to the affected area.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdul Razzaq al Shahhoud محمد عبد الرزاق الشحود
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Explosion cloud above Ma’ar Shamsha
  • SCD team on their rescue operation

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4291

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة, Several towns, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Russian warplanes launched substantial attacks upon various villages outside of Idlib on December 28th causing numerous civilian casualties.

Shaam News, reporting on December 29th, stated that civilian casualties resulted from Russian airstrikes upon many villages, including Mhambel and Sarja.  No names, ages, or other pertinent information was released.

The air raids were part of a large, coordinated efforted by Russian and pro-Assad forces to intentionally target civilian areas. Homes, schools, and businesses were all struck by missiles and cluster bombs.

Shaam News and local sources both reported that the raids were conducted by Russian warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4342

Incident date

January 21, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported “Russian and Assad warships and helicopters launched violent air strikes targeting the cities, towns, and villages of Ma`rat al-Nu`man, Ma`sarān, Deir Sunbul, Marshmarin, Talmans, al-Barah, Babila, Khan al-Sabil”. It added that there were “many wounded”.No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4354

Incident date

January 23, 2020

Location

دار عزة, Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Six children and a man were reported injured as a result of the explosion of a cluster bomb remnant of an alleged previous Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Dar Ezza in Aleppo, Syria, on January 23rd 2020.

SMART said: “Six children and a young man were injured Thursday, as a result of the explosion of the remnants of a cluster bomb from the remnants of a previous bombing by the Syrian regime forces on the city of Dar Ezza (25 km west of Aleppo) in northern Syria.”  The Syrian Civil Defense said that two of the children are in a serious condition.

According to the Syrian Civil Defense, the injured civilians and their ages are: Mustafa Ahmed Aeg, aged 5, Ali Ahmed Ahmed Aeg, aged 10, Bashir Mustafa Aeg,  aged 18, Hassan Moustafa Aeg, aged 9, Abdullah Alaa Saleh, aged 7, Nasrallah Bashir Homs, aged 12 years and Walid Khaled Shahama, aged 13. @HalabTodayTV added that two of those injured were in critical condition.

SMART also quoted Syrian Civil Defense Post to note that the 18-year-old man and three of the children have the same family name, but their relationship is not known yet.

The village of Dar Ezza is a densely populated civilian area that had endured numerous bombings. The bomb that wounded seven civilians was an unexploded cluster bomb from an earlier raid.

Halab Today TV and Civil Defense identified the raids as carried out by Russian warplanes. It is unknown when the bomb was originally dropped.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mustafa Ahmed Aeg مصطفى أحمد أيج
5 years old male injured
Bashir Mustafa Aeg بشير مصطفى أيج
18 years old male injured
Hassan Moustafa Aeg حسن مصطفى أيج
9 years old injured
Ali Ahmed Ahmed Aeg علي أحمد أحمد أيج
10 years old male injured

Family members (3)

Abdullah Alaa Saleh عبد الله علاء صالح
7 years old male injured
Nasrallah Bashir Homs نصر الله بشير
12 years old male injured
Walid Khaled Shahama وليد خالد شهامة
13 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets treat one of the children injured in alleged Russian strikes on Dar Ezza on January 23, 2020. (Image posted by @Tania_Tania_C)
  • White Helmets treat one of the children injured in alleged Russian strikes on Dar Ezza on January 23, 2020. (Image posted by @Tania_Tania_C)
  • White Helmets treat one of the children injured in alleged Russian strikes on Dar Ezza on January 23, 2020. (Image posted by @Tania_Tania_C)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R1409

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, , Several towns in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Shaam Network reported that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes in the midst of artillery and missile shelling that targeted the points of clashes, cities and towns, villages of Kafr Hamra, Al Atareb, Huritan, Khan Toman, Khan al-Asal, scientific research, Mansoura, Zorba, al-Kamari, Zaitan, al-Artyq, al-Barqum, the halls of Lermoun, Khalsa, al-Eis, al-Rashideen, Sheikh Ali, al-Bawabiyah, Jabal Mahawa, Jabal Shuja It caused civilian casualties and displaced thousands of civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4425

Incident date

February 9, 2020

Location

أورم الصغرى, Urma Al Sughra, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were reportedly killed and others were wounded by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Urm Al Sughra, western Aleppo countryside, on February 9th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported it had documented the death of three civilians as the result of Russian airstrikes. Shabha Press added that others were wounded.

The Syrian Civil Defence blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the airstrikes, and put the death toll at two killed civilians, matching Shaam News Network’s report of the incident.

Multiple other sources confirmed the deaths, but did not identify any specific names.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer inspecting a car, presumably hit in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Urma Al Sughra, Aleppo governorate, on February 9th, 2020 (via @Shabha_Press).

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4456

Incident date

February 17, 2020

Location

الاتارب, Al Atarib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib on February 12 2020, local media reported.

According to the White Helmets, “one person was injured as a result of aerial bombing by two Russian warplanes in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo. Our teams worked to check the area and provide help for the injured person.”

syria.liveuamap reported: “One person was injured as a result of a Russian air strike on the city of Atareb”.

A tweet from @ShahbaPress reported that “civilian casualties” from highly destructive missiles but did not specify how many civilians were injured.

All of the local sources that reported on the incident attributed the strikes to Russia. @our_syria mentioned that vacuum missiles were used in the attack.

The incident occured at 01:24:00 local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib, Feb 178th (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib, Feb 178th (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib, Feb 178th (via White Helmets)
  • Images of the airstrikes that targeted the outskirts of Al Atarib on February 17th, 2020, causing material damage. (via SCD)
  • Images of the airstrikes that targeted the outskirts of Al Atarib on February 17th, 2020, causing material damage. (via SCD)
  • Images of the airstrikes that targeted the outskirts of Al Atarib on February 17th, 2020, causing material damage. (via SCD)
  • Images of the airstrikes that targeted the outskirts of Al Atarib on February 17th, 2020, causing material damage. (via SCD)
  • The effects of destruction in the city of Atarib, west of Aleppo, as a result of the alleged Russian bombing of the city. (Image posted by @ala_hacioglu)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the alleged Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo, after midnight. (Image posted by @alatareb2018)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the alleged Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo, after midnight. (Image posted by @alatareb2018)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the alleged Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo, after midnight. (Image posted by @alatareb2018)
  • The effects of the destruction left by the alleged Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Atarib in the western countryside of Aleppo, after midnight. (Image posted by @alatareb2018)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4487

Incident date

February 26, 2020

Location

قرية بيلون في جبل الزاويه, Billion village in Jabal Al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four victims from the same family were killed by pro-Assad regime or Russian planes as an airstrike hit the town of Balion on February 26th. Information about the attack emerged on February 28th.

Numerous tweets reported the death of the four victims, including @syr_television, thethr Zaitun Agency, and Smart News put forth the same information that a man, his wife, and two children perished during a Russian airstrike in Balion. Kana posted that the family was originally from Kafranabel, but were internally displaced and settled in Balion. The Syrian Civil Defense volunteers removed the bodies on the 28th after civilians in the area discovered them.

The names and ages of the victims were not released.

Shaam News reported that local activists said the family were hit as they were attempting to move a motorcycle near the home where they were living.  Balion is a town replete with internally displaced persons (IDPs) and did not have military significance.

SMART and Step News Agency blamed Russia for the airstrikes, whereas Shaam mentioned both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers retrieve the bodies of a family killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on February 26, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense volunteers retrieve the bodies of a family killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on February 26, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Civil Defense volunteers retrieve the bodies of a family killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on February 26, 2020. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]