Russian Military in Ukraine

A member of the Ukrainian Emergency Service looks at the City Hall building in the central square following shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine, on March 1, 2022. (AP Photo/Pavel Dorogoy)

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

Incident Code

RS3475

Incident date

June 27, 2018

Location

الطيبة, al Tayba, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to 13 civilians including at least three children were killed and others also including children injured in Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Taybah in Dara’a on June 27th, 2018. Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office said that ten of the victims are from the same family.

SMART News said “13 civilians were killed Wednesday as a result of a Russian air strike on the town of Taybeh in the province of Daraa, south of Syria.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that many of those injured are in critical conditions and that many civilians are still missing and their fate is unknown.

Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office reported that “Syrian warplanes launched a raid on the town of Taybeh in the eastern village of Daraa, targeting civilian sites inhabited by displaced persons from Daraa al-Balad , Which resulted in the massacre of thirteen martyrs, including ten martyrs from one family.  Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office documented the martyrdom of:Ahmed Awad Abazid and three of his daughters and four of his grandchildren and two of his sons in law, in addition to two martyrs, one of them a child from al Tayba and another unidentified child.”

From their side, Shaam Network blamed Russian warplanes for that. “Russian warplanes committed a new massacre in the eastern village of Daraa, where aircraft raided civilian houses and residential neighborhoods in the town of Taybeh. Activists pointed out that the Russian aircraft targeted the town several raids, which led to the death of 7 martyrs who are displaced people from al Gharya,Al Gharbiya mostly children.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the operation is joint between Russian forces and the Syrian regime as they said ” the regime forces continue their targeting to Daraa countryside, deliberately expanding, with the support of the Russian warplanes.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that ” At least 9 civilians, most of them from the same family, killed as Syrian/ Russian regime warplanes fired missiles on al Tayba village in Daraa governorate southeastern suburbs, on June 27, 2018.”

The sources said seven of the civilians reported killed are IDPs from al Gharya and Local Coordination Committees of Syria said the seven victims are from the same family.

White Helmets published a video on Facebook in which their volunteers were rescuing a child who was under the rubble. Shaam News said the Russian warplanes raided civilians houses and residential areas, and that civil defense volunteers were not able to respond quickly because of the intensity of the bombing.

A civil defense spokesperson told SMART Agency that “Russian warplanes launched raids on residential neighborhoods in the town, killing 13 civilians and wounding four others, as civil defense teams recovered the victims and moved the wounded to nearby hospitals.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

female Daughter of Ahmad Awad Abazid Al-Rantisi killed
female Daughter of Ahmad Awad Abazid Al-Rantisi killed
Child of Youssef Ayyash طفل يوسف عياش
killed
Child of Youssef Ayyash طفل يوسف عياش
killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 13
  • (3–6 children3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of children injured or killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of children injured or killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • Image of the damage to a building caused by alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of children injured or killed in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Daraa Martyrs Documentation Office)
  • Image of the damage to a building caused by alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of a child injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the town of Tayba on June 28, 2018 (via Syrian Network for Human Rights)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • "At least 13 civilians were killed, most of them women and children, and a number of others were wounded in a horrific massacre carried out by Russian warplanes that targeted civilian homes in the town of Al-Taybeh in the eastern countryside of Daraa this evening, Wednesday."
  • A civilian reported killed in airstrikes on Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via Rabi’ Khalaf ).
  • A civilian reported killed in airstrikes on Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via Rabi’ Khalaf ).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of a child killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via Hamza Ali al Khateeb).
  • A child killed in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via @qaboodabood).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via @qaboodabood )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "A massacre committed by Russian aircraft in the town of Taybeh in the eastern countryside of Daraa."
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Syria Activists: the death toll from the Russian air bombardment on the town of Taybeh in the eastern Daraa countryside has risen to 13, including children."
  • Khaled Mahmoud Ibrahim Hoshan Ayyash and Youssef Mahmoud Ibrahim Hoshan Ayyash, two brothers, were reported killed with their wives and children in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Al Taybah in Dara'a on June 27th, 2018 (via Martyrs Daraa Albalad ).

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
    7 – 13
  • (3–6 children3 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3204

Incident date

March 8, 2018

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.528464, 36.389472 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians including a woman were wounded in “renewed” airstrikes on Hamouriya, according to local media.

The Smart News Agency said that one civilian was wounded in a Russia raid.

@KumaitAgency tweeted that “Several civilians, including women, were injured in the renewed aerial bombardment of an air strike with more than one rocket on the town of Hamouriya.” This source did not identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3501

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

ام المياذن, Um Al Mayathen, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported a number of killed and injured civilians in Um Al Mayathen in Dara’a, Syria on June 29th, 2018 as a result of alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes.

Shaam Network said “The Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched air strikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighborhoods of Daraa and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafs, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Al Gharia Al Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Maythen, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians.”

No further information is available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

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
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4106

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idblin, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian warplanes carried out air raids on the towns of Rakaya, Naqir and Kafr Sanja, Idlib governorate on October 17th 2019, as reported by Shaam Network. Shaam Network mentioned ‘a number of civilian casualties’. According to Syriahr, there is currently no more information on civilian casualties available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4136

Incident date

November 6, 2019

Location

بلدة معرشورين, Maashuren town, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.667511, 36.727252 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died and two more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maashuren town, according to local media.

The Step News Agency reported: “Russian aircraft targeted the town of Maarshuren in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing three civilians and wounding two others seriously.”

The Shaam News Network also noted a death toll of three civilians – and blamed Russia warplanes. All other sources also identified three civilians as being killed and attributed the strikes to Russia.

The location of the strikes was identified by multiple sources as the outskirts of Maarshuren

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

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
    3
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4174

Incident date

November 15, 2019

Location

حاس, Has, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On November 15th 2019, an alleged Russian airstrike hit the town of Has in the southern Idlib countryside, allegedly injuring at least one woman and an unspecified number of other civilians.

Shahba Press reported, ‘A woman and other civilians were injured after Russian warplanes raided residential neighbourhoods in the south town of Has’. One source mentioned the use of vacuum missiles in this strike. Local sources also published on social media platforms a video of the moment the airstrike was reported to have hit the town.

This airstrike was one among more than three others reported to have hit towns in the area on the same day.

There are at present no reports which suggest whether there were any civilians killed in this airstrike in Has.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Adult female injured

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "The moment of the air raid of the Russian warplane on the town of Has in the countryside of Idlib" "لحظة الغارة الجوية للطائرة الروسية على بلدة #حاس بريف #إدلب"

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4208

Incident date

December 1, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabl, Syria

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reportedly injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike or artillery attack on the Joni neighborhood of Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on the morning of December 1st, 2019.

The injured civilians were identified as “Ali Qamar al-Obeido,” “Omar Muhammad Khair al-Obeido” and “Aboudi Maher al-Obeido” by a number of sources. KMC reported instead that only two had been injured, among them one named “Abdullah Maher Al-Obeido”.

The city was reportedly targeted by four vacuum missile raids taking place between 8.46 – 9:17 (8:46, 8:56, 9:08, 9:17).

While the majority of the sources blamed the attack on Russian Armed Forces, only Syriahr News attributed the attack to regime forces instead, claiming it consisted of both artillery and missile strikes.

The incident occured at 08:46:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Omar Muhammad Khair al-Obeido عمر محمد خير العبيدو
Age unknown male injured
Ali Qamar al-Obeido علي قمر العبيدو
Age unknown male injured
Aboudi Maher al-Obeido عبودي ماهر العبيدو
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A dead cat between the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Nabl in Idlib, Syria, on December 1st, 2019 (via @almo3tasem91)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

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
    2–3
  • 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

Sources (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4241

Incident date

December 7, 2019

Location

كفرشلايا, Kafr Shlaya, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

As many as two civilians were injured in an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019, according to local sources.

The Syrian White Helmets said: “A young civilian was injured and destroyed in civilian homes in the village of Kafr Shalaya, west of Jericho, today, Saturday, as a result of a helicopter belonging to the Assad forces dropping two barrel bombs in the middle of a civilian settlement in the village.”

Smart News Agency reported two civilians were injured in Russian raids on the village.

Images uploaded by @media_idlib show a young man being helped into the back of an ambulance by members of the Syrian White Helmets.

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
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )
  • A young man is helped by first responders following an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on the village of Kafr Shlaya, Idlib governorate, on December 7th, 2019. (Uploaded by @media_idlib )

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
    1–2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]