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

RS4157

Incident date

November 11, 2019

Location

معرة حرمة, Ma’aret Harma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5497387, 36.5422624 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reportedly killed and three male civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Ma’aret Harma, Idlib governorate, on November 11th, 2019, according to local sources.

Activists told Smart News Agency that a woman was killed in an alleged Russian rocket strike. Moataz Al Ali, director of the Civil Defence Center in the village, told Smart News Agency that “the Russian warplanes launched eight raids on the village of Maarat Harma, injuring three civilians who were transferred to nearby medical points.”

According to Idlib Plus, the three injured civilians were male.

A tweet by @HadiAlabdallah identified vacuum missiles as being used by Russia during the attack and @ufuk_sy reported on the use of high-explosive missiles.

All of the sources that reported on the incidents attributed the strikes to Russia.

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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ 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
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4190

Incident date

November 21, 2019

Location

معرة النعمان, Maarat Numan, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including two children, were reported killed and a number of others were wounded by a mortar or a cluster bomb from the remnants of previous strikes by Russian Forces or the Syrian regime forces on Ma’arat Al Numan in Idlib, on November 21st, 2019, according to local sources.

A tweet from @oulaalassaad named three of the people killed: Alaa Karkas 14, Muhammad Karkas 12, Mustafa Karkas 25.

@alhariri58 added that in addition to the three people killed, a number of other civilians were injured in the explosion and @Nabel_othman023 referred to “many” injured without specifying how many.

While Macro Media Center (MMC) blamed the Syrian regime by saying the casulaties were caused “after a mortar shell from the remnants of the previous shelling of al-Assad forces exploded in Maaret al-Nu’man city south of Idlib”, ShahbaPress pointed to the Russian forces saying civilians were killed “when a cluster bomb exploded from the remnants of Russian raids on the city of Maarat al-Numan in rural area Idlib”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Alaa Karkas
14 years old killed
Muhammad Karkas
12 years old killed
Mustafa Karkas
25 years old killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets respond to an explosion that killed three people in Maarat al-Numan on November 21, 2019. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • Damage from an explosion that killed three people in Maarat al-Numan on November 21, 2019. (Image posted by @SyrianCoalition)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4226

Incident date

December 4, 2019

Location

النهر الأبيض, Nahr Abyad, Jisr Al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians were reportedly injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr al-Shughour, Idlib governorate, on December 4th, 2019, according to sources.

Shaam News Network reported that “activists said that heavy airstrikes by Russian warplanes targeted the Nahr Abyad area in the Jisr al-Shughur area, leaving wounded civilians”.

@ZaitunAgency, @media_idlib and Husam Ahmad Saloum said Russian warplanes carried out 11 airstrikes on Nahr Abyad.

Three planes were used to carry out the strike, according to Husam Ahmad Saloum.

The Facebook page, Edlib News Report 2020, said the strikes had targeted an ammunition depot belonging to the Turkestan Party.

All of the sources said Russian planes had carried out the strikes.

The incident occurred shortly after midnight on December 4th, 2019.

The incident occured in the morning.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Photo taken after alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (via JMC on Facebook).
  • Photo taken after alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (via JMC on Facebook).
  • Photo taken after alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (via JMC on Facebook).
  • Photo taken after alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (via JMC on Facebook).
  • Photo taken after alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (via JMC on Facebook).
  • Rescue workers are seen following an alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (Image uploaded by @media_idlib)
  • Rescue workers are seen following an alleged Russian airstrike on the Nahr Abyad area in Jisr Al Shughur on December 4th, 2019 (Image uploaded by @media_idlib)

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
    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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4259

Incident date

December 17, 2019

Location

الكنائس, Al Kana’es, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A civilian was killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Kana’es on December 17, 2019.

According to Syria TV, the casualty was caused “by aerial bombardment of the regime’s warplanes” while Shaam News mentioned that Russia and the regime carried out airstrikes and shelling in Idlib.

No other information is available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (5) [ 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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4290

Incident date

December 28, 2019

Location

محمبل, Mhambel, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that at least three civilians were wounded as a result of Russian forces or Syrian regime forces artillery and missile attack on Mhambel in Idlib, Syria on December 28th, 2019.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that a cluster missile fell near Al Kabir mosque in Mhambel town in the western suburbs of Idlib governorate causing damage to its building and furniture.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian warplanes launched violent airstrikes targeting the vicinity of the city of Saraqib and the towns of Masran and Dayr al-Sharqi, accompanied by artillery and missile shelling on the city of Maarat al-Numan, and the towns of Mahambel, Kafr Awwad, Sarja, Sufouh, Tlemans, Khan al-Sabil, Marshmarin, and M’amarshah. This led to civilian casualties”.

According to @FdzPWRe6ruAGFPd, there were three civilian casualties “as a result of missile shelling by the Assad forces stationed in Shaghel Al-Ghab in the northern countryside of Hama, targeting the automatic bakery in the town of #Mahbel”.

A tweet from @oulaalassaad identified the injured civilians as being displaced from the city of Maarat al-Numan.

The majority of the sources attributed the strikes to the regime, with only Shaam News blaming Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of a cluster bomb allegedly fired by Syrian regime on Mhambel in Idlib on December 28th 2019 (via SN4HR)

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Assad regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4319

Incident date

January 20, 2020

Location

كفرنوران, Kafar Nuran, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

Between three to five civilians were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Nouran village in the western countryside of Aleppo, on January 20th, 2020, according to local sources.

The Syrian Civil Defense in Aleppo said that “Five civilians were wounded today [Jan 20th] in the  Kafar Nuran village, west of Aleppo, after an airstrike that targeted the outskirts of the village.” However, Smart News only identified three civilians as being injured.

Shahba Press stated that the attack was carried out by the Russian Armed Forces, who targeted the village and nearby towns.

Local sources provided some further information on the attack, declaring the attack targeted a residential neighbourhood resulting in the destruction of residential buildings.

@ShahbaPress, SMART Agency and Shaam Network blamed Russia for the incident and @Ahmad1618A pointed out that high explosive missiles were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • "Five civilians were wounded today in the village of Kafar Nuran, west of Aleppo, after an airstrike that targeted the outskirts of the village."
  • Rescue teams at the site of alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Sy24ria)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian strikes on Kafar Nuran on January 20, 2020. (Image posted by @Ahmad1618A)

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
    3–5
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4353

Incident date

January 23, 2020

Location

بلدات متعددة, several towns, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians were wounded in alleged Russian and Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on several cities and towns in Aleppo governorate on January 23rd, 2020, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported that the Kafar Hamra, Khan Al Asal, Khalsa, Khan Toman, Al Zorba, Zaitan, Al Hamira, Shwayneh, Lirmoun, Kafar Dael, and Al Qalagiya were targeted by Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes.

Step Agency reported that “the town of Kafarnaha, the town of Kafardael, and the Al Rashideen area were subjected to several airstrikes loaded with vacuum missiles by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian opposition forces targeted the positions of the Syrian regime forces in the neighbourhood of Zahraa with artillery shells in the western countryside of Aleppo and in the northern countryside, the Lirmoun region and the villages and towns of Shuwihaina. The Lirmoun and Kafr Hamra were bombed with barrel bombs and airstrikes from the Syrian regime’s helicopters and Russian warplanes”.

Step further wrote that Russian warplanes conducted airstrikes and shelling with explosive barrels in the towns of Khalsa, Khan Tuman, Hamira and Zaitan.

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

RS4359

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Location

بنين,, Benin, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

One man was wounded by an alleged Russian or regime airstrike against the village of Benin on January 25th 2020.

Local residents reported that two air raids struck Benin. Baladi News reported that Benin was one village that was a target of over 200 airstrikes carried out by the Assad regime. Ariha Today noted one injury, and the man was identified as Yakeen Yaser Bido.

Both residents of Benin along with news agencies reported that the airstrikes were carried out by warplanes belonging to the Assad regime. However, a Facebook post by Yakeen Yaser Bido attributed the airstrikes to Russian forces. @MasarPressNet identified vacuum missiles as being used in the attack.

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
    1
  • 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 (15) [ 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
    1
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]