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

R4436

Incident date

February 12, 2022

Location

معارة النعسان, Maaret al Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.035556, 36.838611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, a Russian or Syrian regime artillery shelling killed five to six civilians from the same family and injured two to seven civilians including one to two children and one woman.  Among those killed were reportedly two to three children, two women and two men.  The incident happend on February 12th 2022 in the town of Maarat Al-Naasan in the countryside of Idlib.

The bombing apparently began at 11.30am to midday.

Six reported names of the deceased were: Ruaa Oqab, Aisha Oqab, both described as “little girls”, Hayat Oqab, Noor Oqab, Diba Oqab and Fawas Oqab. Other names which were mentioned, different from these were Imad Oqa (Abu Muhammad) and Aysha Oqab, although these were likely alternative names for those already mentioned. They were reported to have been from the same family.  One member of the family was reported to have died from injuries.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that “the tea drinking session turned into a massacre, death overshadowed the place, and laughter turned into tragedies and pain. A mortar shell fired by the regime forces and Russa on the outskirts of the town of Maarat Al-Naasan left family members and their relatives dead.”

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Ruaa Oqab
Child female killed
Aisha Oqab
Child female killed
Hayat Oqab
Age unknown killed
Noor Oqab
Age unknown killed
Diba Oqab
Age unknown killed
Fawas Oqab
Adult male killed
Imad Oqab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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.

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (56) [ collapse]

  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Raqqa RWB / Facebook)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @DeirEzzorNow / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Al Khabour 2011)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • Syrian Civil Defense rescue the victims after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via SCD / Facebook)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • SOHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Syrian Network for Human Rights posted a photo of some of the deceased, allegedly killed by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via SNHR)
  • SNHR captured the destruction after a Russian or Syrian regime missile hit the Oqab family house, killing reportedly six members of the family on February 12th 2022 (Image via Syrian Observatory for Human Rights)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @IdlibPlus / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @MMCSYR / Twitter)
  • A child's shoe, the destruction after Russian or Syrian regime missile reportedly hit the Oqab family house on February 12th 2022 (Image via @hamza_hindawie / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Community mourns six members of the Oqab family allegedly killed or injured by a Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on February 12th 2022 (Image via @AlsayedGhaith / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @BilalAlHammoud0 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @abdalwhab761 / Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via @anasanas84 / Twitter)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Six members of the same family were reported killed on February 12th 2022 as a result of a Russian or Syrian regime missile (Image via Nedaa post)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Maaret Al Nassan / Facebook)
  • Fawas Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Abd Al Hay Oqab / Facebook)
  • Imad Oqab allegedly killled by a Russian or Syrian regime missile on February 12th 2022 (Image via Mohammed Motlaq / Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Maaret Al Nassan (معارة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.035556, 36.838611. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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.

Sources (51) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4461

Incident date

August 16, 2022

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two people were killed and between one and two others were injured when a previous shelling remnant exploded in the town of Kansafra, south of Idlib on the 16th of August 2022.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that two people were killed and another was injured. According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, Muhammad Omar Khalil and Saddam Dani were killed through the explosion of a landmine while harvesting figs between the villages Kansafra and al Fatira. A third person, Ahmad Aflouk was injured through the explosion, as reported by @jamlyyyyy. One local source, Shaam News, mentions that two civilians were injured, yet further information is not available.

A local reporter from Shaam News stated that the area was subjected to artillery shelling by allegedly Syrian regime forces immediately after the explosion, which hindered the arrival of civil defense teams being able to offer immediate aid to the victims.

The Syrian Civil Defense attributed the original source of the artillery shell that exploded to Russian or regime forces, while other sources reported that the source was unknown while @ZaitunAgency directly attributed the cluster bomb remnant to Russian forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Omar Khalil أبو عمر خليل
Adult male killed
Saddam Dani صدام داني
Adult male killed
Ahmad Aflouk أحمد عفلوك
Age unknown injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers assist a civilian injured by an artillery shell remnant allegedly launched by Russian and regime forces. (Image posted by Syrian Civil Defense)
  • One of the two civilians killed by the remnants of a landmine that exploded on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @jamlyyyyy)
  • One of the two civilians killed by the remnants of a landmine that exploded on August 16, 2022. (Image posted by @jamlyyyyy)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4496

Incident date

December 22, 2022

Location

سفوهن, Sfuhen, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was seriously injured by alleged Syrian regime and/or Russian artillery shelling of the village of Sfuhen on December 22, 2022

The @SyriaCivilDefe tweeted that a civilian was seriously injured while herding sheep when artillery shelling, carried out by Syrian regime and Russian forces, struck the village of Sfuhen. Other local sources such as @syrianewsag provided similar details.

There were no other additional details available.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible for the shelling, with Radio Al Kul reporting that the Syrian regime was responsible, while @Almohrar1 attributed the shelling to 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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense volunteers assist a civilian who was seriously injured by artillery shelling on the village of Sfuhen on December 22, 2022. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4526

Incident date

July 4, 2023

Location

كفرنوران, Kafarnouran, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A middle-aged male, reported by most sources to be a civilian, was killed by alleged Russian, or Syrian regime shelling of the town of Kafr Nouran, in the western countryside of Aleppo on July 4, 2023.

Baladi News reported that Anas Barakat was killed instantly in the village of Kafr Nouran as a result of alleged shelling and mortar fire carried by the Syrian Regime forces stationed in the 46th Regiment and the village of Kafr Halab.

The status of the Anas Barakat as a civilian is also contested. Most sources identify Anas Barakat as a civilian. However, @mzmgr941 alleges that Anas Barakat is a field commander of the Levant Corps – a Sunni islamist rebel group. The tweet is accompanied by a picture of Anas Barakat in what appears to be a khaki jacket, but the time at which the photo was taken is unknown and there are no distinguishing military indicators in the photo to corroborate the claim.

The majority of sources also report that the Syrian regime was responsible for the artillery shelling. However, @mzmgr941 tweeted that Russian forces used missiles to attack Kafr Kouran.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Anas Barakat, killed by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Nouran on July 4, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Anas Barakat, killed by alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Nouran on July 4, 2023. (Image posted by @mzmgr941)
  • Alleged Russian and/or Syrian regime shelling of Kafr Nouran on July 4, 2023. (Image posted by @Hamoudi_Free_Sy)

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
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4553

Incident date

September 2, 2023

Location

سَرْمِين, Sarmin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

On the evening of September 2nd, 2023, in Sarmin, Idlib, an incident with contested responsibility— reportedly either a Syrian regime artillery attack or a Russian airstrike—killed six-month-old Yaman Munther Baydoun and injured at least three other civilians, including a child, with casualties confirmed by multiple sources including the White Helmets organization.

The majority of reports on this incident agree that the incident was an artillery bombardment by Syrian regime forces, resulting in a death and four civilian injuries, one of whom was a child and a sibling of the deceased infant Yaman Munther Baydoun. The injured child can be heard saying “I want my brother” to the Civil Defense volunteers in a video taken while they were trying to rescue the survivors. The infant casualty Yaman Munther Baydoun is said to have been six months old and an image of him before his death was shared by many twitter accounts such as @TvIdlib.

There were also many post event photos of young Yaman and his sibling who was also injured, and there were also photos of an older man in hospital provided by the Syrian Civil Defense. The White Helmets source claimed the event was a missile strike on a residential area, and the white helmets subsequently transported the recovered body of the 6 month old Yaman and the other injured to hospitals. The White Helmets source included photos of the deceased infant Yaman and his toy buried under shattered rubble and his injured nephew caked in the same rubble. This source quoted the maximum number of injured civilians of four alongside Yaman’s death. The minimum number of injured civilians were said to be three alongside the death of Yaman, and this minimum number was reported by Zamanalwasl News and NPA Syria.

There appears to be some disagreement regarding the perpetrator of the strike and its nature. All sources concur that it originated from the either the Syrian regime, the Russian air forces, or other Russian and pro-Assad aligned militias. Almost all sources believe that the incident was most likely caused by Syrian regime forces. This excludes three sources who blamed the Russian military: one individual on Twitter/X who also posted a photo of Yaman’s bloodied body in the hospital; another Twitter/X user who also attributed responsibility to Russian aviation; and finally, a local TV station’s Twitter/X account that claimed Yaman’s death was due to Syrian regime and Russian aviation.

The status of the strike is also contested as many sources allege it was an artillery bombardment by Syrian regime forces. However some alleged it was a result of missile strikes.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Yaman Munther Baydoun يمان منذر بيضون
6 months years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (24) [ collapse]

  • Yaman Munther Baydoun, 6 months old, killed by artillery shelling on Sarmin. Source: @TvIdlib
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: SCD
  • Source: @Gurbtwatan
  • Source: @Gurbtwatan
  • Source: @Gurbtwatan
  • Source: @Gurbtwatan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @HsabMghrd

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Azzam.ak1976

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Azzam.ak1976
  • Source: Akhbar Idlib
  • Source: Mhmd.drwysh.754
  • Source: Mhmd.drwysh.754

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: Mhmd.drwysh.754
  • Source: Mhmd.drwysh.754

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]