Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS3305

Location

سلقين, Salqin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.13951, 36.45413
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: October 15, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R3116RS3321)

A ballistic missile from an alleged Russian battleship reportedly landed near the town of Salqin, Idlib countryside, on March 20th, 2018. Sources gave conflicting reports regarding civilian casualties.

@HadiAlabdallah reported that “a ballistic missile landed near Salqin city of Idlib countryside, coming from Russian battleships in the Mediterranean.” Step News Agency reported that there had been reports of human casualties.

@BonnieKipperman reported that the ballistic missile targeted the Safsafa camp and that “initial reports indicated a massacre of IDPs [Internally Displaced People]”, adding that “the sound of the explosion was heard in most of the liberated areas.”

@IdlibPlus stated that “a high-explosive surface-to-surface missile landed near the town of Salqin, causing no injuries.”

However, the Step News Agency said there were “reports of human casualties” but gave no numbers. It added that the ballistic missile was loaded with cluster munitions.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Naval bombardment
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
0–2
Civilians reported injured
0–2

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Salqin (سلقين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.13951, 36.45413. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

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