By Genevieve Casagrande
Key Takeaway: The Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD)
claimed that Russian warplanes conducted 67 “combat missions” throughout Syria
on October 9, marking the largest number of Russian airstrikes in Syria on a single day since September 30. Russian
airstrikes continued to largely concentrate in rebel-held areas of northwestern
Syria from October 8-9. In particular, Russian warplanes
continued to conduct airstrikes in support of a large-scale regime offensive
against rebel positions in the northern Hama countryside.
The following graphic
depicts ISW’s assessment of Russian airstrike and cruise missile strike
locations based on reports from local Syrian activist networks, Syrian
state-run media, and statements by Russian and Western officials.
High-Confidence reporting. ISW places high confidence in reports corroborated both by official government statements reported through credible channels and documentation from rebel factions or activist networks on the ground in Syria deemed to be credible.
Low-Confidence reporting. ISW places low confidence in secondary sources that have not been confirmed or sources deemed likely to contain disinformation.
High-Confidence reporting. ISW places high confidence in reports corroborated both by official government statements reported through credible channels and documentation from rebel factions or activist networks on the ground in Syria deemed to be credible.
Low-Confidence reporting. ISW places low confidence in secondary sources that have not been confirmed or sources deemed likely to contain disinformation.