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

RS2998

Incident date

February 8, 2018

Location

اللطامنة , Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to local media, three civilians were wounded as Russian and/or the Syrian regime carried out aerial and artillery strikes in Lataminah, Hama.

A civil defence member told Smart News Agency that what he believed was Russian warplanes had launched four air raids while the Assad regime had launched 40 artillery and missile shells.

Both Smart News Agency and Al Latamna Youth Group reported that the incident had wounded three civilians, while other sources mentioned the material damage that strikes had caused.

Sources were, however, unclear in terms of culpability. While Smart News, as noted above, pointed to a shared responsibility between Assad and Russia, others pointed only to Assad, namely Masar Press Net and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, while Step News and Waseem only attributed blame to Russia.

Across the reports, several mentioned that the town had been subject to both aerial and artillery shelling.

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
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the moment alleged Russian strikes and regime artillery hit Lataminah, Hama, on February 8th 2018, and the damage it caused (via Smart News Agency)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

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
    3
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS3012

Incident date

February 10, 2018

Location

معصران, Ma'saran, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.70683, 36.802053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime warplanes struck the eastern town of Ma’saran, Idlib, reportedly wounding several civilians, local media reported.

Step News Agency reported how multiple Idlib towns were subject to “several air raids with rockets and explosive barrels targeting” on February 10th, including Ma’saran.

Meanwhile, Syria_Omar and Masar Press Net, who both posted the same report, described how “Al-Assad helicopter gunships” had targeted the town with explosive barrels.

However,  only Sham News Network who reported about injury of civilians following the strikes.

It was unclear among the reports who were to blame, as sources pointed to either Russia or Assad. Sham News Network pointed to both “Russian and Asiad military aircraft.”

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 (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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3524

Incident date

July 20, 2018

Location

الشجرة, Al Sahajara, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians were killed including women and children and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime forces airstrikes on Al Sahajara in Dara’a on July 20th, 2018. Sanabka Ahrar reported that the area was the target of more than 40 raids with missiles and rockets what caused severe destruction to buildings.

@samersamer694 said that the area was attacked by artillery and missile shelling.

@omar_hariri_dr tweeted “Ten civilian martyred, most of them are children and women from one family, in a raid by Russian warplanes on the town of Al-Shajarah in the Yarmouk Basin in the countryside of Western Dara’a.”

Step Agency reported that “The Russian and Syrian warplanes and helicopters continued in parallel with the artillery and artillery shelling targeting the areas of the Yarmouk basin controlled by Daesh, leaving more than 15 dead and many wounded, mostly in Al-Shajara town, including women and children.”

France 24 said the death toll was higher “At least 26 civilians, including 11 children, were killed Friday in heavy aerial bombardment targeting the Yarmouk Basin area.”, but didn’t specify the number of victims in Al Shajara alone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Salam Azizi عبد السلام عزيزي
Adult male killed
Son of Abdul Salam Azizi طفل ابن عبد السلام عزيزي
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Abu Kinan Al-Homsi أبو كنان الحمصي
Age unknown male This is most likely a nickname killed
Wife of Abu Munir
Age unknown female injured
Son of Abu Munir
Child male injured
Daughter of Abu Munir
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 15
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (11) [ 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
    3 – 15
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3286

Incident date

March 16, 2018

Location

حزة, Hazza, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52034, 36.36494 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians, including a woman and possibly two children, were killed by alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the town of Hazza, Eastern Ghouta, as reported by local sources. An unknown number of civilians was wounded.

Hazza Media Center reported that two civilians, naming one of them as Safiya Al Zekri from Saqba, were killed by three airstrikes and that a large number of wounded. Human Rights Organisation in Syria MAF named Mohiy Alddin Orab as another victim.

Syrian Civil Defense put the death toll at seven on Twitter. Syrian Revolution also News reported that seven civilians had been killed, including a woman and two children, mentioning “14 airstrikes, 10 barrel bombs, more than 70 rockets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery, as well as two rockets loaded with cluster bombs.”

@dmshkiaa tweeted that there had been more “more than 13 Russian airstrikes and three barrels of helicopter gunships targeted at civilians.”

Shaam News, among other sources, wrote that chlorine gas was used in the airstrikes. They also reported the use of white phosphorus and napalm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safiyeh Al Zikri صفية الزكري
Adult female killed
Mohiy Alddin Orabi محي الدين عرابي
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (21) [ 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 – 7
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3327

Incident date

March 22, 2018

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 16 and 25 civilians were killed and up to 200 were wounded in aerial and artillery strikes on residential neighbourhoods in the city of Zamalka, Eastern Ghouta. Several sources claimed Russian forces were responsible for the attack, whereas others blamed the Assad regime.

Rami Abdul Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, put the initial death count at 16. Siege Watch later wrote on Twitter that “estimated 25 civilians killed in at least 22 airstrikes, 65 barrel bombs and over 500 artillery and mortar rounds. Several hundred wounded.” HalabTodayTV mentioned 20 deadly civilian casualties and spoke of 17 airstrikes and 63 barrel bombs.

The Violations Documentation Center in Syria listed the names of three men and one woman who were killed in the airstrikes.

The Local Coordination Committees of Syria reported that “17 civilians were killed in an initial toll and more than 90 injured in Russian airstrikes on the town of Zamalka.” @SaifAtrash reported “several hundred” wounded. @ldqCeSzzkM8wJjQ stated that “more than 200” civilians were injured.

Arabi21 reported that activists have said that napalm and phosphorus bombs were used in the raids. The Syrian Civil Defence came to the same conclusion.

According to @N_workMediaHoms “46 airstrikes targeted residential neighborhoods in Zamalka city from the early morning hours until this moment, coinciding with helicopters throwing more than 30 barrels of explosives on the city of Erbeen and several air raids from warplanes.”

Zamanalwsl reported the Syrian regime had been responsible for the airstrikes, whereas the Local Coordination of Committees of Syria blamed Russian forces. Others, such as Erem News, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ameen Abbas
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khair Hasoun
Adult male killed
Mariam Laila
Adult female killed
Tamer Idrees
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via @Omar_Madaniah).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018. Photo does possibly show human remains (via @siegewatch).
  • Aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).
  • Injured receiving medical help after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Swaida Khabar).
  • Report of the aftermath of the airstrikes on Zamalka on March 22nd, 2018 (via Al Hadath).
  • Young girl receives treatment in a field hospital after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @AlarabyTV).
  • Victim receiving medical care after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @HalabTodayTV).
  • Wounded man after the airstrikes on Zamalka, March 22nd 2018 (via @siegewatch).

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
    16 – 25
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    90–200
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3448

Incident date

June 12, 2018

Location

التمانعة, al Tamana'a, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A child was killed when a cluster bomb from a previous Russian shelling on al Tamana’a in southern Idlib, Syria  exploded on June 12th, 2018.

Edlib Media Center reported on Facebook that ” A child from the town of Sinjar was killed by a cluster bomb explosion from previous bombing on farms of Al-Tamana’ah town in the southern suburb of Idlib.”

SMART News reported from locals that the child “found a cluster bomb while harvesting grass in a farm town, and exploded in it and led to his death immediately.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3373

Incident date

March 31, 2018

Location

الشريعة, Al Shari’a, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.127384, 36.766865 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, the Shaam News network, “Russian warplanes carried out heavy air raids accompanied by heavy shelling and shelling on the towns and villages” including Al Shari’a. The strikes reportedly led to an unspecified number of injuries among civilians.

@JENdKRNgtkxLE7i reported that “Russian warplanes targeted a number of bridges in Sahel Al-Ghab. They targeted Al Jisr Al Jadeed, Sharia and Al-Twaina with rockets, in conjunction with fake raids with thermal balloons to terrify the people.”

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3452

Incident date

June 24, 2018

Location

علما, Elma, Dara'a, Syria

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime airstrikes on Elma in Dar’a, Syria on June 24th, 2018 according to local sources.

Dara’a Now, which is a pro regime page, reported “More fire lava on the terrorists’ heads in the town of Al-Harak and what remains of the town of Basra Al-Hariri and the town of al Soura and the town of Elma and the area of Aljaj in the eastern countryside of Daraa .”, but Step Agency blamed Russian forces. “One person was killed by Russian air raids on the town of Elma in the east of Daraa”, and the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “Khaled Mansour al Dagher was killed as Syrian/ Russian regime warplanes fired missiles on Elma town in Dara’a governorate northeastern suburbs, on June 24th, 2018.”

Also the Syrian Committee for Human Rights said “Khaled Mansour Al-Dagher died, and others were injured, after an aerial bombardment by Russian warplanes targeted the town of Elma in the countryside of Daraa Governorate on Sunday June 24th, 2018.”

Ziad Al Hourani who said the victim was his cousin posted an image of Khaled on Facebook saying “The young martyr, my cousin Khaled Mansour Al-Dagher martyred during the bombing of the town by the Russian and Assad aviation. May God have mercy on you, my dear cousin , and accept you from the martyrs, Amin.”

Violations Documentation Center blamed Russia for killing the civilian.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Mansour Al-Dagher خالد منصور الداغر
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Explosions after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak or Al Soura on June 24th, 2018 (via Dara'a Now).
  • Explosions after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Al Harak or Al Soura on June 24th, 2018 (via Dara'a Now).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Khaled Mansour Al-Dagher was reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime attack on Alma in Dara'a on June 24th, 2018 (via Ziad Alhourani).

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
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Free Syrian Army

Sources (16) [ collapse]