Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS014

Incident date

October 3, 2015

Location

عقرب, Akrab, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.16310, 36.46512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network reported that Russian warplanes attacked Akrab, a town under the control of the Free Syrian Army, in a joint attack with the Assad regime. All4Syria also reported that “regime forces tried to storm the town, in southern Hama, after several raids by Russian aviation, resulting in several casualties among civilians.“

Two rockets, which SN4HR said contained cluster bombs (pictured below), reportedly killed two civilians including a child: “Four cluster bombs were left un-exploded and the FSA dismantled them by shooting from a very long range. The Russian aerial strikes were accompanied with shelling from rocket launchers by the Syrian regime.”

The incident occured at 13:30:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Cluster munitions reportedly retrieved from Akrab, October 3rd 2015 (via SN4HR)
  • The Civil Defence transporting the injured. (via SN4HR)
  • Rescue workers at Akrab. (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the sheep market in the village of Akrab (عقرب), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.163100, 36.46512. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Russians made no direct reference to strikes in Hama for October 3rd-5th 2015, noting only that “Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 pilots performed 20 flights over the last day. They hit 10 ISIS facilities.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS046

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.7857347, 36.6818047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs.

According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Dar Al Kabira, for which the generic coordinates are: 34.7857347, 36.6818047. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS079

Incident date

October 26, 2015

Location

كفرنبل‎, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6152326, 36.560955 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A suspected Russian airstrike on the town of Kafr Nabil killed a father and his daughter while injuring the mother and son, according to reports. The dead were later named by Violations Documentation Center as Hatem Khaled al-Khatieb and his 12-year old daughter Diaa Hatem al Khatieb.

However Mr al-Khatieb was later named by All4Syria as a fighter with the rebel group Ahrar Al Sham.

Activist Raed Al Fares, from Kafr Nabil, told the Syrian Network: “A number of Russian warplanes were hovering around in the sky and each went in a different direction. When I rushed to the shelling site, the residents told me that a rocket targeted one of houses. The top floor was completely destroyed and the ground floor was greatly damaged. Also I was told that there were some injured people who have fallen. I went to the hospital and saw the injured residents. A father and his 12 years old daughter were killed and three others from the same family were injured The house is located in the western neighbourhood of Kafr nabel and it is free of any military presence next to it. We have monitoring devices which enabled us to hear the pilots talking to each other in Russian and that is how we knew they were Russians.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hatem Khaled al-Khatieb
Adult male killed
Diaa Hatem al Khatieb
Child female Mr al-Khatieb was later named by All4Syria as a fighter with the rebel group Ahrar Al Sham killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Scene of two fatalities at Kafr Neul October 25th, following an alleged Russian airstrike (via Kefr Nabul News Network)
  • Hatem Khaled Al Khateeb Kafrnabl (via News Network facebook)
  • Photo of Mohammad Hatem Khatib (via All4Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Defence Ministry issued no public update for strikes on October 26th-27th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS112

Incident date

November 2, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 24 civilians were reported killed and a dozen injured in alleged evening Russian airstrikes on a centre for the distribution of bread in the town of Qaryatain in Homs province.

According to Shaam News Network, 16 people died when Russian planes carried out two raids. Activists stressed that the raids targeted a bakery in the city.

Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll even higher at 26 non-combatants, including 3 children and 2 women. It claimed most of the victims were displaced persons from Maheen.

24 victims were named by the VDC  and another 6 other victims were also named by SN4HR .

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Saeid Sarakes
male killed
Son of Saeid Sarakes
Adult male killed
Daughter of Saeid Sarakes
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Fadi Bassam al-Hamouri al-Noaemi
Adult male killed
Atiye Subhi al-Adle al-Ghoush
Adult male killed
Atiye Subhi al-Adle al-Ghoush
Adult male killed
Ayman Mohmmad Ahmad al-Zgherre
Adult male killed
Zakiye al-Shammat
Adult female killed
Mohammad Tameem al-Shibli
Adult male killed
Atiye al-Daeif
Adult male killed
Mohammad Adnan al-Musa
Adult male killed
Ahmad Khaled Abdul Kafi al-Musa
Adult male killed
Abdul Kafi Mohammad al-Abdul Kafi al-Musa
Adult male killed
Qasem Mohammad Awad al-Sultan
Age unknown male killed
Ali Redwan al-Yousef al-Salame
Age unknown male
Son of Mohammad Atallah Feroun
Age unknown male 12 years old killed
Son of Rasheed al-Salame
Age unknown male killed
Usama Ahmad al-Mezel al-Ibraheem
Age unknown male killed
Qassim Mohammed al Salama
Age unknown male killed
Taleb Mahmoud Idrees
Age unknown killed
Son of Moahammad al-Zamzune
Child male killed
Fares Qasem Mohammad al-Dalloul al-Dakhlallah
Adult female killed
Jaber Ahmad al-Fadel
Age unknown male killed
Abd al-Wahed Eid Ezz Eddin
Age unknown male killed
Lutfiyeh Hmaidan
Age unknown female killed
Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Maysem Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Fedaa Atia Al Abdullah
Age unknown female killed
Abdullah Al Abdullah
Age unknown killed
Child, unidentified
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 30
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Ali-Redwan-al-Yousef-al-Salame

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

In its report for military actions on October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Homs governorate: “In the Tadmor district (Homs province) a Su-25 attack aircraft made a strike on an ISIS fortified area. Direct hits resulted in destruction of fortifications, underground shelters as well as AA artillery positions of the terrorists with two ZSU-23 systems. Objective monitoring data confirms their complete elimination.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23 – 30
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS147

Incident date

November 14, 2015

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male a doctor – was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hraytan, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also stated that alleged Russian warplanes launched three rockets on the Asia Industrial Pharmaceutical Factory in the northern suburbs of Aleppo, which caused the fire of warehouses containing chemicals. However, they did not mention any casualties.

However, Shaam News blamed the attack on regime forces, noting that “the revolution has lost one of the cornerstones of its medical work, Dr Mustafa Maher Boushna, after his martyrdom today during clashes between rebels and regime forces on the front at Bashkoi in the countryside of Aleppo.”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Warehouse fire at Hraytan, November 14th 2015 (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    image of the victim Dr Mustafa Maher Boushnaq
  • Another image of the victim Dr Mustafa Maher Boushnaq

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hraytan (حريتان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.287032, 37.08332. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS180

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Location

العشارة‎, Ashara, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.92, 40.56 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian girl died “as a result of Russian bombing” at Ashara, according to Deir Ezzor Is Being Slaughtered and others.

The Violations Documentation Center named one woman or child as a victim of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes. It lists her as killed in Ashara, Deir Ezzor. Maha had previously been injured in an Assad regime strike on the town in September 2014.

Reporting for the event is confused, with Halab Today TV linking Maha’s death to another strike in Maskaneh in eastern Aleppo. According to the caption for that video, six people were killed in this second event. Additionally, more five fatalities published by names.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ahmed Khalaf Al-Melhem
Adult male killed
Bilal Aboud Hdid al A’kla
female Ahmed Khalaf Al-Melhem wife killed
Bassel Ahmed Sweileh Melhem
Adult male killed
Rimal Bashir Mohammed Alsatam 
female Bassel Ahmed Sweileh Melhem wife killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female named by VDC killed
Abdul Wahid al Shams al Saleh Al Sabti
Age unknown male a young male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (0–1 children2–3 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Ashara, NOv 20th (via The martyrs of the town of Al A’shara facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “On November 20, the ships of the Caspian flotilla performed launches of 18 cruise missiles against 7 targets in the Raqqah, Idlib and Aleppo provinces. All the aims were hit.” It added that “29 aircraft of long-range and bomber aviation made strikes from the zone of the Caspian Sea,” though gave no details of the areas targeted.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (0–1 children2–3 women2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS212

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine named  civilians including a child were reported killed – and at least 10 others injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the northern suburbs of Aleppo, targeting a truck on the road to the Bab Al Salama crossing point, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The network also stated that several freight cars were burnt in the alleged raid.

Abdul Kader, a local media activist said: “At 6 pm Russian warplanes which were flying at a high altitude launched an airstrike on our city. The first targeted an office that organizes the entry of trucks to Bab Al Salama crossing point, which is 4km away from the border. The second strike targeted a square 3km away from the Bab Al-Salam border crossing point.”

The pro-regime site Syrian Microscope claimed the trucks were carrying ammunition for rebel groups. However, Enabbaladi said, “most of the trucks on this road usually bring relief goods from Turkey to help the displaced or needy alike.”

Seven victims were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The VDC also listed two unidentified victims.

Unidentified 1 – adult, male “Due to the Russian airforces shelling on Izaz – Bab al Salamah road, his body was found charred.”

Unidentified 2 – adult, male. Listed as above.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing civilian casualties as result of an alleged Russian aircraft in Azaz, North Aleppo. (Via Abdelkader Abou Youssef)
  • A photo of Ahmad Matar al Zgeer, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS245

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians including four women and five children were killed in an airstrike on the village of Mraand, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network said that eight non-combatants died as a result of a Russian missile targeting the village. It added that there were four consecutive strikes, two of them targeting civilian homes and killing women and children, while the other two strikes were on the outskirts of the village.

According to SNN: “Jisr Al Shoughour and its countryside suffer a near daily campaign of aerial bombing and missile by Russian warplanes targeting the city and towns and areas adjacent to the Mountain of the Kurds in the western rural areas of Jisr Al Shoughour.”

The White Helmets took the injured to medical points, although SNN said this proved difficult due to a lack of available ambulances and equipment required to lift heavy debris. The Violations Documentation Centre also listed the victims as having died in Russian shelling.

But in a short news item the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at eight including three women and five children.

Nine victims were named by the Violations Documentation Centre.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rafa Mezweq
Adult female killed
Ahmad Mezweq
Child male killed
Ahlam Mezweq
Child killed

Family members (4)

Adnan Hussain Haj Kheder
Child male killed
Wife of Hussain Haj Kheder
Adult female killed
Daughter of Hussain Haj Kheder 1
Child female killed
Daughter of Hussain Haj Kheder 2
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Amount Murad
Adult female killed
Hala Mohammad
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children4 women)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Syrian Regime
  • Syrian Regime position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (5 children4 women)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]