2011 Syrian Civil War

Kh-59 in the 2011 Syrian Civil War

The Kh-59MK2 is reported in open missile references as having taken part in Russian combat operations in Syria in February 2018, tied to Su-57 combat-test reporting, but public sources also note that the Syria use claim remained unconfirmed.

Weapon profileKh-59
SideSyrian government and alliesRoleLong-Range Strike
Kh-59, Air-launched cruise missile family, Munitions - 2011 Syrian Civil War
Image source: Kh-59MK2 maks2009.jpg

Evidence Map

ClaimSources
Kh-59MK2 involvement in Syrian combat operations during February 2018 is reported in a missile reference profile.

Sources: Russian Strike Missiles

CSIS reported that Russia may have used the Kh-59MK2 in its Syria air campaign but said the claim remained unconfirmed.

Sources: CSIS New Standoff Missile

The associated Su-57 cruise-missile video was assessed by TWZ as showing a missile that appeared to be the Kh-59MK2, while the article said the launch location was not clear.

Sources: TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

Timeline

Kh-59 In 2011 Syrian Civil War

  1. Reported Kh-59MK2 Syria combat-test window

    Forecast International says the Kh-59MK2 reportedly took part in Syrian combat operations during February 2018, in the same period associated with Russian Su-57 combat testing.

    Sources: Russian Strike Missiles, TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

  2. Su-57 cruise-missile launch video presented

    Russian officials presented video of a Su-57 cruise-missile launch; CSIS later described the missile as a Kh-59MK2 and said Syria-use reports remained unconfirmed.

    Sources: CSIS New Standoff Missile, TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

Documented Use

Direct proof of use

The public record for Kh-59 use in the 2011 Syrian Civil War is caveated. Forecast International's Russian strike-missile profile says the Kh-59MK2 reportedly took part in Syrian combat operations during February 2018, and CSIS Missile Threat reported in May 2018 that Russia may have used the Kh-59MK2 in its Syria air campaign while noting that the claim remained unconfirmed.

The reported Syria use is tied to Russia's brief Su-57 deployment and weapons-testing narrative. TWZ reported that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu presented video of a Su-57 launching a new cruise missile, said the test occurred in February, and referred to Russian testing of new weapons on the Syrian battlefield; TWZ assessed the missile as appearing to be the Kh-59MK2 but said it was not clear whether that launch took place over Syria.

Sources: Russian Strike Missiles, CSIS New Standoff Missile, TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

Timeline

The main dated milestone is February 2018, when the sources place the Su-57 Syria deployment and reported cruise-missile testing window. Forecast International treats the Kh-59MK2 report as Syrian combat-operations participation in that month, while CSIS records the Kh-59MK2 Syria claim as a reported but unconfirmed use.

On May 25, 2018, Russia released or presented video associated with the Su-57 missile launch. CSIS summarized the video on May 30, 2018 as showing a Su-57 launching a Kh-59MK2 air-launched cruise missile.

Sources: Russian Strike Missiles, CSIS New Standoff Missile, TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

Narrative

In Syria, the Kh-59 record is best described as reported Russian combat testing rather than a fully confirmed strike history. The available sources identify Russia as the actor, the Syrian theater as the context, the Su-57 as the associated launch aircraft, and the Kh-59MK2 as the reported missile variant.

The sources do not establish a specific target, impact location, battle-damage result, or Syrian-government unit receiving the missile. They support a narrow catalog claim: Kh-59MK2 involvement was reported in Russia's February 2018 Syria combat-test activity, but independent public confirmation of an actual Syrian combat launch remained limited.

Sources: Russian Strike Missiles, CSIS New Standoff Missile, TWZ Su-57 Cruise Missile Launch

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Sources