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

RS4451

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

قرب دار عزة,, Near Dar Ezza, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that one civilian was killed and up to ten others were injured during Russian airstrikes in the village of Patron, near Darat Azza, Aleppo, on February 15th 2020.

According to the White Helmets, “one person was killed and 10 others were wounded, as a result of four air strikes, that targeted civilian homes near the city of Darat Azza in the western countryside of Aleppo.” The source did not identify who carried out the strikes.

The Shaam News Network also reported “one martyr near Dar Ezza”, blaming “very violent [Russian] air strikes…heavy artillery and missile shelling”.

Baladi News reported that their correspondent in Aleppo said, “the Russian warplanes bombed, with four air raids, high-explosive missiles and vaccuum bombs, civilian homes near the city of Darat Izza in the western countryside of Aleppo, which led to the death of a civilian and the wounding of ten others.”

A local source, @annaser50 tweeted that the shelling was as a result of “long-range ballistic missiles by the Russian warship in the Mediterranean,” which is different from other reports of an aerial bombardment.

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of an airstrike near Dar Ezza, Feb 15th (via White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4452

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

بلدة السحارة,, Al Sahara Village, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Four to five civilians died, including one girl, and one Syrian Civil Defence volunteer was wounded in an alleged Russian double airstrike on Al Sahara village, according to local media. The second strike happened as the volunteers were undergoing the rescue mission.

The White Helmets reported: “Four people were killed and a civil defense volunteer was injured by Russian airstrikes targeting the town of Sahara in the western countryside of Aleppo, on Saturday morning, February 15, 2020. Our team was targeted while recovering the victims and inspecting the place.”

The White Helmets later named the wounded volunteer as Mustafa al-Shilou, adding that he was injured  “as a result of a double air raid, which targeted the team while working to extract victims from the rubble in the town of Sahara”.

syria.liveuamap said that “others” were wounded in addition to the four civilians killed.

The Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes launched intense and very violent air strikes, which were associated with heavy artillery and missile shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Dara Azza”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa al-Shilou
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sahara village, Feb 15th (via @ShahbaPress)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sahara village, Feb 15th (via @ShahbaPress)
  • "Mustafa al-Shilou, a civil defense volunteer, was wounded today, Saturday 15 February 2020, as a result of a double air raid, which targeted the team while working to extract victims from the rubble in the town of Sahara in the western countryside of Aleppo" reported by the Syrian Civil Defence (Image via SCD / Twitter)
  • The area in Al-Sahara where the Syrian Civil Defense were working after an alleged Russian double airstrike killing four to five, and injuring a White Helmet volunteer during the rescue operation (Image via SCD / Twitter)
  • The area in Al-Sahara where the Syrian Civil Defense were working after an alleged Russian double airstrike killing four to five, and injuring a White Helmet volunteer during the rescue operation (Image via SCD / Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4216

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

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

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian warplanes launched intense and very violent air strikes, which were associated with heavy artillery and missile shelling targeting the vicinity of the city of Dara Azza and the cities and towns and villages of Andan, Atareb, Hurriyan, Kafr Hamra, Al Abzmu, Tadil, Kfartal, Kafr Amadah, Qadin, Ainjarah, Bastaroon, Sahar, Kabashin, Assaadiya, al-Mahfah, al-Shurfiyyah, al-Shafarwi, al-Shamfariyyah, al-Shamsharh Aqeel, Salloum, Al Qasimia and Banshatra, which led to the fall of 4 martyrs in the Al sahara village, and one martyr near the Dara Azza, and a number of wounded people in the rest of the targeted areas”.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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
    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 and/or Artillery
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4454

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed and up to four others injured by a Syrian regime or Russian shelling on Al Muthanna IDP camp in the east of Sarmada, Idlib.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said: “Syrian regime forces’ artillery fired shells on al Muthanna IDPs Camp, located in east of Sarmada city in the northern suburbs of Idlib governorate, killing the displaced Yaser Khaled al Shehadah al Ma’mou, and severely damaging a number of tents, on February 15, 2020.”

Step News Agency wrote: “Noureddine Mohamed, a reporter of the ‘Step News Agency’ in Idlib and its countryside, said that a civilian was killed and 3 others were wounded by the displaced people of Umm Al-Khalakhil village in the eastern Idlib countryside, due to artillery shelling by the Syrian regime forces on the Muthanna camp in the vicinity of Sarmada.”

Smart News reported the same casualty toll and said the injuries were minor.

Human Rights Watch said in their report in October 2020 said that “On February 15, two artillery shells landed in the middle of Muthana, another informal camp for displaced persons, also to the east of Sarmada.The camp had about 200 tents, with most families having arrived there by November 2019. Two SCD volunteers who responded to the attack said that projectiles directly hit tents, setting four on fire. They said that the projectiles killed one man and wounded three other men and one woman, all camp residents.”

The internally displaced people that were affected were thought to have been displaced from Al-Khalakhil village in the eastern countryside of Idlib.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yaser Khaled al Shehadah al Ma’mou
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • Damaged tent in an IDP camp near Saramada after alleged Russian or Syrian regime shelling on February 15th, 2020 (via MMC)
  • One civilian was allegedly killed and up to four others injured in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on an IDP camp in the city of Sarmada between February 14th and 15th 2020 (Image via @ala_hacioglu / Twitter)
  • One civilian was allegedly killed and up to four others injured in a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on an IDP camp in the city of Sarmada between February 14th and 15th 2020 (Image via @ala_hacioglu / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One civilian was allegedly killed and up to four others were injured in a Russian or Syrian regime attack on an IDP camp in Sarmada (Image via @seerij80 / Twitter)
  • Abdl Al Kareem Al Mustafa posted photos onto Facebook after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a camp for IDP in Sarmada.
  • Abdl Al Kareem Al Mustafa posted photos onto Facebook after an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike hit a camp for IDP in Sarmada.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Causes of injury / death
    Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN), 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4453

Incident date

February 15, 2020

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in an airstrike reportedly by Russian warplanes when they targted the town of Takad in the western countryside of Aleppo on February 15th 2020, according to local sources and media.

@Rey7d, a local source on Twitter posted, “a person was wounded in an air strike by Russian warplanes targeting the town of Takad in the western countryside of Aleppo.”

NPA Syria reported that “since after midnight yesterday, Russian warplanes have carried out several raids and strikes targetng the surroundings of Atarib, Taqad, Jamait Al-Salloum, Jamiat Al-Rahal and Al-Sahara.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4217

Incident date

February 16, 2020

Location

باترون,, Batron, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and up to 10 others were wounded in alleged Russian air or artillery strikes on Batron, according to sources on the ground.

The Smart news agency reported: A civilian was killed and others injured on Saturday night-Sunday, as a result of aerial bombardments by Russian warplanes on a village west of Aleppo, northern Syria.

The civil defense director of media, with the same nickname ‘Ibrahim Abu Al-Laith’ told Smart that a civilian was killed and ten others were wounded as a result of raids from Russian warplanes on the village of Batron, west of Aleppo.”

The Shaam News Network added: “Russian warplanes launched intense air strikes amid artillery and missile strikes, which resulted in the martyr and a number of wounded in Batron.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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 (3) [ 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

RS4457

Incident date

February 17, 2020

Location

الأبزمو, Al Abzimo, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One child was killed alongside their mother and four others were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Abzmo, Aleppo governorate, on February 17th, 2020, according to local sources.

Edlib Media Center reported that “a mother and her child were martyred due to the targeting of the Russian occupation air force of the town of Al Abzmo, in the western countryside of Aleppo”. Alaraby News refers to the child as being her “daughter” while others refer to the child as being a male.

The Syrian Civil Defence in Aleppo identified the victims as the wife of Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary and Ibrahim Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary.

A Facebook post from Sa`a hora reported that three civilians were killed in the airstrikes, also identifying the wife of Ahmed and Ibrahim.

SMART News reported that a woman and child were killed in a missile strike by Syrian regime forces.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed the Syrian regime, and confirmed that Ibrahim Ahmed Al Eid Al Houary died alongside his mother.

@ShahbaPress reported that, in addition, several civilians were injured. @ahmmaddaak put the number of injured civilians at four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibrahim Ahmed Al-Eid Al-Houary إبراهيم أحمد العيد الحوري
Adult male killed
Wife of Ahmed Al-Eid Al-Houary زوجة الحاج أحمد العيد الحوري
Adult female first name unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Woman in the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Al Abzimo, Aleppo governorate, on February 17th, 2020 (via SCD Aleppo).

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
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]