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

R3342

Incident date

September 8, 2018

Location

قلعة المضيق, Qal'et al Madiq, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were reported killed and others injured in alleged Russian forces or Syrian regime artillery shelling on Qal’at Al madiq in Idlib on September 8th, 2018 according to local sources. Two of the victims were identified as Naser Hashoum and Muhammad al-Sheikh. Albasaer newspaper said that one of the victims died as a result of wounds sustained earlier “as a result of the artillery shelling that struck the town of Qal`eat Al-Madiq in the western countryside of Hama.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said ” Three civilians were killed as Syrian period artillery fired several shells on Qal’et al Madiq town in Hama governor northwestern suburbs, on September 8th.”

Many of the sources blamed the Syrian regime for this incident, like @hamanewscenter that tweeted “A martyr and a number of wounded civilians, due to artillery and missile shelling by the regime’s militia stationed in the village of Hayaleen and the surrounding checkpoints on the town of Qal`eat Al-Madiq, west of Hama.”

@HamahNow said that artillery and rocket launchers shelling targeted the city of Qal`eat Al-Madiq, west of Hama.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nasser Hashoum ناصر هشوم
Adult killed
Muhammad al-Sheikh محمد الشيخ
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Nasser Hashoum was killed in alleged artillery shelling on Qal'at Al Madiq on Sep 8th, 2018 (Ahmad Alhashoum)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3903

Incident date

July 14, 2019

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

A single source claimed that “a number of civilians were injured in air strikes by the Russian Air Force with surface and cluster missiles on the outskirts of the city”.

No other details are known at this time.

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
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ 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 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R3705

Incident date

July 20, 2019

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Alleged Syrian and Russian forces carried out airstrikes on several locations in Idlib with high-impact rockets. According to Syrian Civil Defense who were at the scene reported that “eight civilians, including a child and a woman, were injured by the targeting of the towns of Kansafra, Balyoun and Jabal al-Arba’een in the countryside of Idlib”.

However, @muhammad_salhab tweeted that no casualties were recorded in Kansafra.

No other details are known 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–8
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ 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
    0–8
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1029

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, LCCSY, said that there were: “‪#‎Hama‬ martyrs and wounded reported due to targeting the township of ‪#‎Aqrabiyat‬ and the village of ‪#‎Soha‬ in the eastern suburbs with 5 Russian airstrikes.”

However, further research indicated that there were no civilian casualties in Akeirbat, but up to seven in Soha on July 22nd (see casualty event RS1030).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3492

Incident date

June 29, 2018

Location

نوى, Nawa, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.89044, 36.0399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes targeted the city of Nawa, Dara’a governorate, on June 29th, 2018, according to local sources. Possibly, civilians were injured and killed.

@abode125 tweeted that “Russian aviation targeted the city of Nawa and Tafas in the western countryside of Dara’a.” Step News posted a video of the damage after the airstrikes, showing destroyed buildings.

Shaam News Agency wrote that “the Russian military and Assad aircraft and helicopter gunships launched airstrikes with rockets and explosive barrels on the neighbourhoods of Daraa’ and on the towns and villages of Nawa, Tafas, Kahil, Sheikh Saad, Giza, Mseifra, Saida, Gharia, Gharbia and Sharqiya and Um Al Mayan, resulting in the deaths and injuries of civilians”, implying that civilians were possibly injured or killed in the strikes on Nawa.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

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
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of damage after the alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the city of Nawa on June 29th, 2018 (via Step News Agency).

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
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3951

Incident date

July 24, 2019

Location

أم الصير, Um Al Sair, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians, including children, were reported injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Um Al Sair, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019, according to local sources. A single source reported that the strikes led to a civilian death.

Edlib Media Center wrote that “three civilians wounded in raids by Russian occupation aircraft on the village of Umm al-Sair, south of Idlib.”

@abo_aljod84 tweeted: “Six civilians were wounded, most of them children, as a result of the Russian airstrikes on the village of Um Al Sair, south of Idlib.”

@MOHAMADJAPAS was the only source reporting one killed civilian in addition to an unknown number of injured civilians.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights wrote that “Russian warplanes targeted the village of Um Al Sair, south of Idlib, with several raids.” @saidalguraba reported that the village was targeted with missiles.

Other also sources alleged that civilians were wounded in the incident, but did not cite a figure.

Geiroon News gave a summary of the airstrikes on July 24th, writing that Russia and the Syrian regime targeted several cities and towns in Idlib governorate, but did not specify which belligerent was responsible for the strikes on Um Al Sair: “20 civilians, including three children and four women, were injured by the targeting of Russia and the regime by the cities and towns of Khan Sheikhan, Ma’arat Al Nu’man, Deir Al Sharqi and Um Al Sair in the southern countryside of Idlib. Jabal Al Arbaeen, Ma’sibin, Al Qasabiyah, Mar’and, Tannah and Khan Al Sabil, which resulted in the destruction of property and some vital centers.”

All other sources blamed Russia for the strikes on Um Al Sair.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: “Six civilians were wounded, most of them children, as a result of the Russian air strikes on the village of Um Al Sair, south of Idlib” (via @abo_aljod84).
  • Translation: “Zaytoun Agency correspondent monitors the effects of destruction and devastation as a result of Russian airstrikes on the village of Um Al Sair in the southern countryside of Idlib” (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Damaged children's bike among the rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Um Al Sair, July 24th, 2019 (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Aftermath of alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Um Al Sair, July 24th, 2019 (via @ZaitunAgency).
  • Rubble after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Um Al Sair, July 24th, 2019 (via @ZaitunAgency).

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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–6
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3981

Incident date

July 30, 2019

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that an unknown number of civilians were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, which targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib countryside around 12:30 PM on July 30th, 2019.

Step Agency wrote that “the Russian air force targeted several airstrikes in Khan [Sheikhoun], Moka and Jbala villages in the southern countryside of Idlib, injuring a number of civilians.” Horrya also reported that civilians were injured in strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Moka and Jbala, but did not specify a number.

@mohamadsalomala tweeted that around 12:30 PM, “an air strike by Russian warplanes targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city of Khan Sheikhoun.”

@syrian191124 reported “Attacks by a Su22 warplane with vacuum missiles targeting the Al Latamine area and the vicinity of Khan Sheikhoun.”

The incident occured at 12:30:00 local time.

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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ 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
    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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4091

Incident date

August 28, 2019

Location

سراقب,, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were wounded, including a woman, in an alleged regime or Russian airstrike on a market in Saraqib on August 28, 2019, local media said.

According to Smart, “On August 28, 2019, eight civilians were injured when regime warplanes bombarded the city of Saraqeb near Idlib in northern Syria. A medical source in the city said that eight civilians were wounded as a result of the aerial bombardment. Local sources said that the regime warplanes were responsible for the bombing”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on the local market in the middle of Saraqeb city in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, severely damaging several shops and the market’s facilities, on August 28.”

A tweet by @NEDAAPOST reported ” 8 wounded, including a woman, by the bombing of “Saraqib”.

A video posted by @zamanalwsl shows the destruction caused by the strikes and White Helmets rescuing survivors from the rubble.

Sources were split as to who was responsible for the airstrikes, with tweets from @ala_hacioglu and @baladinetwork attributing the strikes to Russia while Syria TV blamed regime forces.

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
    8
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • "Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on the local market in the middle of Saraqeb city in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, severely damaging several shops and the market’s facilities, on August 28." (via SN4HR)
  • Caption translation: Two men were transporting an old man from the scene of an air strike carried out by regime warplanes on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, on the popular market in Saraqeb city, east of Idlib in the north of the country, which resulted in extensive destruction and the injury of eight civilians. (Images from Smart News)
  • Caption translation: Two men were transporting an old man from the scene of an air strike carried out by regime warplanes on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, on the popular market in Saraqeb city, east of Idlib in the north of the country, which resulted in extensive destruction and the injury of eight civilians. (Images from Smart News)
  • Caption translation: Two men were transporting an old man from the scene of an air strike carried out by regime warplanes on Wednesday, August 28, 2019, on the popular market in Saraqeb city, east of Idlib in the north of the country, which resulted in extensive destruction and the injury of eight civilians. (Images from Smart News)

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
    8
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]