Conflict

Russian Military in Syria

Incident Code

RS4477

Location

معرة النعسان, Maaret al-Nassan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.035461, 36.836843
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: October 22, 2025

(Previous Incident Codes: R4230RS4468)

On February 20th, the village of Maaret al-Nassan was struck by alleged Russian or regime warplanes, resulting in the death of one civilian, a media activist.

A tweet from Ahmed Dekhan announced the killing of media activist and photographer Abdul Nasser Haj Hamdan. @MousaAlamar and Edlib News tweeted similar information as well. Alaraby News said that the photographer was working in the city media office, just north of Idlib and went to cover the assault when he was killed. This information was corroborated by IMC News, Zaitun Agency, and the Justice Organization.  Shaam News later reported that the activist was originally from Bunche.

Smart News reported that Russian warplanes specifically hit the buildings within Maaret al-Nassan.

The majority of sources attributed the strikes to Russian forces. However, Euphrates Post attributed the death of the civilian to artillery shelling by the regime.

Assessment Updates

22 October 2025
Geolocation added. Incident had not been geolocated when originally published.

Victims

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Strike Status
Contested strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1
1 Man

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Maaret al-Nassan (معرة النعسان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.035461, 36.836843. 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
Syrian Regime Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Syrian Regime
Syrian Regime position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (4)