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

RS3878

Incident date

July 9, 2019

Location

جبالا, Jbala, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was reported injured in airstrikes on Jbala, Idlib, on July 9th.

Shabab Al Latamina documented “the injury of the young man “Abdul Karim Hassan Al-Khalif” in Russian air strikes on the village of Jbala # Southern countryside Idlib.”

Two other sources attributed the attack to Russian forces.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Karim Hassan Al-Khalif عبدالكريم حسن الخليف
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image Caption Translation: "The moment of targeting the Russian warplanes with surface rockets" (via Macro Media Center)
  • Image showing destruction in Jbala, Idlib after alleged Russian airsrtrikes on July 9th, 2019. (via Khaled Alhamwy)

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
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3169

Incident date

March 4, 2018

Location

قسطون, Kastoun , Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.6856742, 36.3785648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were reported to be wounded following air and artillery strikes on Kastoun.

According to SNN, “Russian warplanes launched air strikes accompanied by heavy shelling and artillery shelling targeting the towns of Al Latamna, Kafarzita,Al  Zakat, Zalaqiyat, Hasraya,Al Arbaeen and the villages of kastoun in the western countryside”.

@HamahNow reported “air strikes targeting the town of Kastoun west of Hama”, but didn’t say who was responsible.

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
    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 (2) [ 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
    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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3482

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

الغارية الغربية, al Ghariya al Gharbiya, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in alleged Russian raids on Al Ghariya Al Gharibya in Dara’a, Syria on June 27th, 2018.

Shaam Network reported that “Activists confirmed that the air, artillery and rocket attacks on the village of Dara’a today led to one martyr in each of al Massifra, Saida and al Ghariya al gharbiya .”

No further information is 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
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3938

Incident date

July 22, 2019

Location

بلدات متعددة في أدلب, several town in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Russian and Syrian forces carried out a series of airstrikes on several locations in Idlib, according to local sources.

According to Shaam News, many people were injured in the cities, towns and villages of Khan Sheikhoun, Kefarsgana, Sheikh Mustafa, Rakaya Sjana, Tara`i Hazareen Madaya and Hibeet And Maarazita and Kfroma and Kansfra and Al Fatyra and Ma`arat Horma ,Haish  and Sheikh Damas and Mararat Al Seen and Mura`ad.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (2) [ 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 type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4012

Incident date

August 12, 2019

Location

التمانعة, Al Taman’a, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Five men were reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes in Al Taman’a, Idlib, on August 12th, 2019, according to local sources.

Shaam News documented “wounded civilians” in a number of cities and towns, including Al Taman’a, after “Russian and regime warplanes and helicopters launched airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling.” Orient News stated that “five men” were injured in Al Taman’a as a result of “aerial bombardment”.

In a tweet, @OrientNews reported: “The factions confront an infiltration attempt by sectarian militias near Al Taman’a, Idlib”, but it remains unclear if this refers to the same incident in which five men were injured.

@baladinetwork tweeted: “Airstrikes, artillery and missile strikes by the regime target the town of Al Taman’a in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

@HalabTodayTV reported “Russian airstrikes on the city of Khan Sheikhoun, the town of Al Taman’a, and the village of Karsaah, south of Idlib, and on Kafr Zita in the northern countryside of Hama.”

Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes.

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
    5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ 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
    5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4115

Incident date

October 23, 2019

Location

بلدات متعدده, Several towns in Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported: “Russian warplanes launched air strikes amid artillery shelling by the Assad forces on the city of Kafrnabal and the towns of Maarat Harmah, Hazarin, Al-Rakaya, Kafarsijah, Al-Taht, Sheikh Mustafa, Babolin, Rakaya Sijnah, Al-Raffa, Umm Jalal and Tal al-Nar, which resulted in civilian casualties.”

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
  • 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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

RS4148

Incident date

November 8, 2019

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians, including four children, were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Jisr Al Shughour on November 8th, 2019, according to local sources.

Smart News Agency reported that “activists said four civilians from the same family, including three children, were wounded in an airstrike by Russian planes on the town of Jisr Al Shughour”.

The Syrian Civil Defence reported that a woman was injured, stating that Syrian regime planes fired four rockets on a residential community of the city, including Zakaria Akta school. @IdlibPlus put the number of injured at six and @brocarpress reported “four wounded, including three children.”

According to @ShahbaPress, a church was also targeted. @IdlibPlus furthermore reported damage to a charity sewing workshop.

Jisr Media Center reported the names of one male injured civilian and three children.

Human Rights Watch mentioned that the airstrike also targeted a church. “On November 8, 2019, at 2 p.m., an attack damaged St. George’s church, a Greek Orthodox church in Jisr al-Shughour. Human Rights Watch reviewed two photographs sent by local journalist Mustafa al-Ahmad and two videos posted on YouTube on November 10 and November 12 which show damage to the church’s walls. This damage is also visible in satellite imagery which shows two distinct impacts in the area surrounding the church. The explosion wounded six people, including four children, and partially destroyed at least one residential building in the area, according to another local journalist. Satellite imagery also confirmed the damage to the residential building.”

A tweet from @RaedAlSaleh3 also reported that regime forces launched “4 missiles at once on a residential compound for civilians that includes the Zakaria Aktaa school.”

Sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime was responsible.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Jacob Khadheer يعقوب خضير
Child male injured
Ayoub Khadheer ايوب خضير
Child male injured
Mahmoud Khadheer محمود خضير
Age unknown male injured
Jenna Bashoush جنى باشوش
Child female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @mohmad_rasheed).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @mohmad_rasheed).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @mohmad_rasheed).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @mohmad_rasheed).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via SCD on Facebook).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @ShahbaPress).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Photo of the aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via @IdlibPlus).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via JMC).
  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the city of Jisr Al Shughur on November 8th 2019 (via JMC).
  • © 2019 Mustafa al-Ahmad. Satellite imagery from November 13, 2019 © 2020 Maxar Technologies. Source: EUSI. (Via HRW)
  • Caption translation: Russian and Nusayri occupation aviation. Destroys a church in the city of Jisr Al-Shughour in the free Idlib. (Image posted by @Olfmcw1gkRnbhoQ)
  • Caption translation:: Air strikes on the city of Jisr Al-Shughour in the western countryside of Idlib (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • Caption translation:: Air strikes on the city of Jisr Al-Shughour in the western countryside of Idlib (Image posted by @anasanas84)
  • On November 8, 2019, at 2 p.m., an attack damaged St. George’s church, a Greek Orthodox church in Jisr al-Shughour.[417] Human Rights Watch reviewed two photographs sent by local journalist Mustafa al-Ahmad and two videos posted on YouTube on November 10 and November 12 which show damage to the church’s walls.[418] This damage is also visible in satellite imagery which shows two distinct impacts in the area surrounding the church. The explosion wounded six people, including four children, and partially destroyed at least one residential building in the area, according to another local journalist.[419] Satellite imagery also confirmed the damage to the residential building. There were no signs of military weapons, equipment, or personnel in the imagery reviewed. (Image posted by Human Rights Watch)

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1259

Incident date

September 11, 2016

Location

الحامدية, Al Hamdiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.614779, 36.657085 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Hamdiya village, sources on the ground reported.

According to Shahba, “Many civilians were wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Hamediya village in southern Idlib”.

Step News added that “Russian planes targeted the edges of al Hamdiya village south of Maarat al Numan in the southern countryside and there was news of casualties.”

RFS and Omaralmarawi said that many children and women were wounded, but didn’t apportion blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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]