Russian Military in Syria

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

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS2179

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

البارة, Al-Bara, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.68599, 36.54239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilians were reportedly wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike in al Bara, Idlib, according to a local media source.

Whilst other sources have reported that Russian warplanes conducted a strike in al Bara on this day, only one mentioned civilian harm.

Edlib Media Centre reported “wounded fall as a result of the targeting of the outskirts of the town of Idlib by Russian” warplanes.

It was not clear how many civilians were injured as a result of the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2655

Incident date

October 22, 2017

Location

السميرية, Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.892969, 37.31471 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al-Sumairiya, in the countryside of Aleppo, local media reported. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute any blame.

There were no reported civilian deaths.

According to sources and images published, a popular market was struck. Shops were destroyed and there was much material damage to the vicinity.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS149

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Location

باريشا, Barisha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.164940, 36.635956 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that alleged Russian warplanes targeted the village of Barisa and the Abo Al Dohor area and reported losses, but did not provide any details. No further information is available at the present time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Barisha (باريشا), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.164940, 36.635956. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2877

Incident date

January 9, 2018

Location

اللطامنة, Al-Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians, including a child and a member of the Syrian Civil Defence, were wounded following a double airstrike on Al-Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some attributing blame to the Syrian regime while others blamed Russia.

According to local media, a child was injured in the first strike and a member of the Civil Defence was injured in a second strike whist attempting to rescue civilians from the original strike.

Media reported that “high explosive rockets”, as many as 100, were used on the vicinity, causing damage to residential homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Step News Agency)
  • Footage showing the exact moment the strike occurred, 9th Jan 2018. (via Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defence who was wounded in the airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)
  • A member of the Syrian Civil Defence who was wounded in the airstrikes on Al-Lataminah, 9th Jan 2018. (via Syria Civil Defence)

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
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2952

Incident date

January 31, 2018

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in airstrikes which hit Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, attributing blame to both the Syrian regime and Russia – who were both bombing the vicinity at this time.

According to @MasarPressNet, “Russian warplanes targeting the towns of Khan Sheikhun, Tantah and Naqir with burning napalm.”

Other reports added that RPG’s were used as well as napalm.

There were no reported civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3522

Incident date

July 17, 2018

Location

نوى, Nawa, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that more than 19 people including women and children were killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Nawa in Dara’a governorate on July 17th, 2018. Local sources reported that the attacks on Nawa happened with dozens of raids with explosive barrels, cluster bombs and rocket attacks.

For Southern Syria on Facebook identified eight of the victims as follows: Mo’ammar Qassim al Shawli, the wife of Colonel Fawaz al-Tayasneh, Nibal Montaser Droubi Al Suwaidani, Ahmed Jihad Al-Mutheeb, Mohammed Khair Fawaz Al-Mutheeb, Wife of Mohammed Khair Fawaz Al-Mutheeb, daughter of Mohammed Khair Fawaz Al-Mutheeb. Another name mentioned is Qasim Abu Al Zein Sharaf, but Step Agency referred to him as the leader of Martyr Jameel Abu Al Zein Brigade which might mean he was not a civilian.

@Omar_Madaniah reported the deaths of 18 martyrs, including two children and three women, adding that among the killed civilians are six family members from the town of Al Nuaimiya.

Shaam Network reported: “The fall of more than 19 martyrs, including two children and three women and a number of those who fled to the town, in addition, there are unidentified martyrs, dozens of wounded people, including some in very serious conditions, what might raise the number of martyrs, especially with the targeting of the only field hospital by the helicopters that put it out of service completely.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime saying “Syrian/ Russian regime forces killed several civilians in Nawa city in Daraa suburbs on July 17th. At least 13 civilians, including two children and three women, killed due to continuous air and land bombing by Syrian/ Russian regime forces on Nawa city in Daraa governorate northwestern suburbs, in the evening of July 17th, 2018.”

According to Dara’a Martyrs Documentation Office, the airstrikes led to “a massacre of eighteen martyrs, including seven women, one of whom is pregnant and four children. Among the martyrs were nine martyrs due to missile strikes and nine martyrs due to warplane strikes.”

Shaam Network blamed the Syrian regime saying that “Activists confirmed that the Assad forces stationed in Tal al-Mahs and the artillery battalion in the town of Al-Shulaileh targeted the town of Nawa with more than 300 shells in just ten minutes, while the shelling continues.” Step Agency blamed the Syrian regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “the regime forces targeted by more than 350 missiles and more than 40 explosive barrels and airstrikes, areas in Nawa city and its vicinity as well as the area of Tell Al Jabiyyah and Tal Al Jumou.”

According to Nasr Al Hariri, head of the opposition negotiating body, more than 50 civilians were killed. Al Hariri blamed Russia for the airstrikes. @Bosracoord also reported “50 martyrs and dozens of wounded people on the streets of the city and under the rubble and complete failure to assist the martyrs and those injured.”

The incident occured in the evening.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (2 children3–7 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • Rubble after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • Damaged building after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • Rubble after alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime air and artillery strikes on Nawa, Dara'a governorate, on July 17th, 2018 (via Dara'a Martyrs Documentation Office).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mo’ammar Qassim al Shawli was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Nawa on July 17th, 2018 (via Omar Al Res on Facebook).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Khair Fawaz Al-Mutheeb was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Nawa on July 17th, 2018 (via Sarot Nawa on Facebook).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 20
  • (2 children3–7 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    1

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS514

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, three civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on al Atarib. Smart News reported that three were wounded, including a child in a  Russian aerial bombardment on the city of Al Atareb. They were moved  to the field hospital in the city, according to our reporter.”

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory...Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3286

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Location

الحويجة, Al Hawaija, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted several areas in the village of Al Hawija, which is located on the Al Ghab plains in Hama province. An unknown number of civilians was reportedly injured.

Step News Agency reported that “several people were injured as a result of Russian raids targeting the village of Hawija west of Hama”. Other sources reported that there had been no casualties.

Twitter user @Abdalrhman_ma94 said there was a cemetery among the targeted areas.

Enab Baladi wrote that the Syrian regime with support of Russia was responsible for the airstrikes, while most sources pointed at Russia as the belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (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
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]