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

RS004

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

المكرمية, Al Makrmeya, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8671039, 36.7795765 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that a Russian airstrike at Al Makrmeya had killed a non-combatant. No other details were given.

VDC named an adult male civilian from Makrameih as having been killed by alleged Russian strikes. They also published a graphic photo of his body.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad Ahmad Alrajab, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Makrmeya (المكرمية), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8671039, 36.7795765. 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 Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS005

Incident date

September 30, 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

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that “Allegedly Russian warplanes shelled Omar Bin Al Khattab Mosque in Jisr Al Shoughour city, killed one individual and destroyed the mosque completely.” Footage showed the mosque and surrounding houses to be severely damaged, with other reports placing the death toll higher.

Two videos were posted. In one, a rescuer tells the camera: “The man that was killed never carried a gun nor a stick. He’s an old man under the rubble, we’re pulling him out now.” Baladi News reported that five civilians were killed at the mosque.

Amnesty International later published its own findings, concluding that the strike “killed one civilian immediately, mortally wounded another and injured six more; Amnesty International has obtained the names of all eight individuals. According to one eyewitness interviewed by Amnesty International, there were no military casualties and no military targets in the vicinity, with the nearest checkpoint some 500m away.”

The international human rights group also noted: “On 1 October 2015 a Russian Ministry of Defence spokesperson stated that Russia’s air force had targeted IS infrastructure and had destroyed one such command post in Jisr al-Shughour. On 30 October, following the emergence of reports and images showing that the Omar Bin al-Khattab mosque had been destroyed, Colonel-General Andrey Kartapolov stated that such information was a “hoax” and presented a satellite image claiming that the mosque was still intact. However, the satellite image showed a different mosque, not the one destroyed in the attack.”

The incident occured at 12:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Died on 27/10/2015 in a Turkish hospital due to wounds sustained in the Russian strike on Omar Bin Khattab mosque killed
Marwan Mustafa
Child male 17-years-old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the destruction at Jisr al Shoughour due to suspected Russian strikes. Includes interview with a member of the White Helmets. (via Jissr al Shoughour Media Centre)
  • Video showing the destruction in the mosque. Man shows where the victim was when he was struck saying that he was a civilian fixing the mosque. (via Idlib News Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD confirms carrying out airstrikes on September 30th-October 1st 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Russian Aerospace Forces engaged another four ISIS facilities this night. Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft performed 8 sorties eliminating the staff of terrorist groupings and an ammunition depot near Idlib as well as a three-level HQ centre near Hamah. As a result of a pinpoint bomb attack, a plant aimed for preparation of cars for terrorist attacks located in the north of Homs is completely destroyed.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS003

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to SN4HR, Russian actions reportedly killed eight or more civilians – including four children, most from one family – in a further series of strikes as part of the Kremlin’s first day of military action in Syria.

VDC placed the toll at 11 civilian deaths, with its local contact reporting: “Russian warplanes, likely Sukhoi jets, targeted the southern entrance to Rastan city at about 11:30 am, destroying a simple house for civilians of the al-Taweel family, causing the death of six civilians and injuring several others, although the area had no military significance.”

An anonymous local doctor added that “five others passed away after succumbing to their wounds, bringing the death toll up to 11 civilians.”

VDC named 6 of the victims.

According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted a number of “ISIS dens” in Homs, though locals insisted there was no Daesh presence at Al rastan. Russian media made no mention of civilian casualties – with TASS referring only to “pinpoint airstrikes” against what were described as ‘ISIS targets.’

The incident occured at 11:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male father killed with three sons killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (5 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video showing alleged Russian shelling on Al Rastan on 30.09.2015 (via VDC)
  • Russian Ministry of Defence video showing strikes 'against ISIS targets in Syria' on 30.9.2015. (via Russian Ministry of Defence )
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of a man killed with his three children in al Rastan. The caption here says they were killed by 'Assad's planes'. (Via al Rastan news)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 11
  • (5 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS002

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.845002, 36.731549 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 18 non-combatants were reported killed at Talbiseh by Russian aircraft in their first day of bombing in Syria.

Paramedic Omar Al Daqa, based at one of Talbiseh’s field hospitals, told VDC: “Around 10am, Russian warplanes launched several fierce airstrikes, targeting a number of neighbourhoods with vacuum missiles, including: Karameh, Bareed and Mashjer streets, as well as the city’s bread distribution center. The shelling was along one track with almost 100 meters between each missile. As a result, 17 civilians were killed, 34 were wounded and one is missing (probably torn into pieces).”

At least one of those killed – civil defence volunteer Abdul Latif al Duheik – died during a secondary strike.

A doctor named as ‘Abu Sham’ also noted that “We received 65 wounded with injuries from minor to critical. Among them, there were cases of suffocation as a result of dust and smoke. As for the martyrs,they were killed by the enormous pressure or shrapnel that pierced their bodies and tore some of them into pieces.“

18 Victims were named by VDC.

According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted “ISIS dens” in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya. Russian media made no mention of civilian casualties – with TASS referring only to “pinpoint airstrikes” against what were described as ‘ISIS targets.

Amnesty International later noted, “According to the testimony of two eyewitnesses whom Amnesty International interviewed, complementary testimony, audiovisual material of the direct aftermath of the attacks and reports received from human rights defenders in and from Homs there were no military targets in the vicinity and there were no military casualties. Armed groups allied with the Free Syrian Army controlled the area but were not located in the town itself.”

The incident occured at 10:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male listed as civilian but wearing military top in photo killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male Syrian Civil Defence killed
Adult male killed
Child female From Za'afarana killed
Adult male reported missing believed dead killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 18
  • (4–5 children2 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    65–72
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (19) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the strike on Talbiseh, Sept 30th, 2015. (via SN4HR)
  • Footage showing remains of the bombs dropped in the strike on Talbiseh, Sept 30th, 2015. (via Talbisa h)
  • Abed al Lateef al Dheak Alwawee, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Yamen Muhammad Jouma, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Tawfeq Abdulghani al-Dheak, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Mohammad Omea Shnat, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Khaled Omar Hadid, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Belal Ahmad Juma al-Latouf, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Muhammad Joumaa, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • Mousa Mahmoud Jouaa, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of the victim Belal Ahmad Juma al-Latouf published by Talbisah, a local news outlet. (via Talbisah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of the victim Ahmad al-Dheak published by Talbisah, a local news outlet. (via Talbisah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video of the victim Abdulghani Abdulrahman AlSheikh published by Talbisah, a local news outlet. (via Talbisah)
  • Talbisah following the raids, (via: paramedic Omar al Daqa /VDC)
  • The aftermath of the attack at Talbisah. (via: paramedic Omar al Daqa /VDC)
  • Yamen Mohamed Joumaa and his brother Ahmad Mohamed Joumaa (via: Tablisah Network)
  • Video showing the destruction caused by the strikes on Talbisah (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the raids at Talbisah, (via SN4HR)
  • Children injured as a result of the raids on Talbisah. (via, Talbisah Network)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike that targeted homes in Talbisah (تلبيسة). Investigating audiovisual material from sources, we narrowed the location of the airstrike to a block of buildings in the northern part of Talbisah, for which the exact coordinates are: 34.845002, 36.731549.

  • Image showing buildings destroyed by airstrike in Talbisah.

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Opposite perspective of buildings destroyed in airstrike, this time also showing a walled garden (feature D) and water tower (feature E).

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Satellite image showing features of site targeted by airstrike in Talbisah.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing exact location targeted by airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 18
  • (4–5 children2 women12 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    65–72
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS001

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

الزعفرانة, Za`faranah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.882683, 36.770165 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen non-combatants were reported killed at the village of Za`faranah in Russia’s first wave of airstrikes in support of the Syrian regime.

According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted “ISIS dens” in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya.”

At Za`faranah, according to SN4HR, 15 civilians were killed “including two children and five women.” Following a field investigation the Violations Documentation Centre also put the death toll at fifteen.

Citing an eyewitness, VDC noted; “Two attacks were launched on the southern entrance to the village, specifically on four adjacent civilian houses.There were neither military locations nor an ISIS presence in the targeted area. Unfortunately, fourteen civilians, many unidentified, were instantly killed and more than thirty others were injured in the two strikes. Following this, at 10:00 am, warplanes targeted the area of al-Makramiah, south-west of Zaafaraneh village. As a result, a young man was killed and eight civilians were injured. On that day, the air strikes did not stop, they continued targeting the southern part of the village at about 11:00 am, causing injury to eight more people.”

Nine of the victims were named by VDC.

Russian media made no mention of civilian casualties – with TASS referring only to “pinpoint airstrikes” against what were described as ‘ISIS targets.’

The incident occured between 9:00 am and 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    46
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused at Za`faranah. (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan /VDC)
  • Searching for victims at Za`faranah, (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan /VDC)
  • Following the alleged Russian strike at Za`faranah, Sept 30th 2015 (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan/VDC)
  • Rescuers seartch for victims of the alleged Russian strike at Za`faranah, Sept 30th 2015 (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan/VDC)
  • Activist Anas Abu Adnan captures moment of an Russian airstrike on al Za'afarana Sept 30th 2015 (via VDC)
  • Footage of an airstrike on Za`faranah, Sept 30th. (via Минобороны России)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling at Al Zaafarana on 30th September 2015, Source Baladi News
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of an injured child in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid. (via talbisa h)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike that targeted homes in an area called al-Makramiah located southwest of Za`faranah (الزعفرانية‎). Investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed the location of the airstrike to a block of homes on the southwest outskirts of Za’faranah. Post-strike satellite imagery also corroborates the location of the incident, for which the exact coordinates are: 34.882683, 36.770165.

  • Image showing general location of airstrike on Za`faranah.

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Image showing specific location of homes targeted by airstrike in Za`faranah.

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Satellite image showing features from general location of airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing features of homes targeted in airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing undamaged home that would be destroyed in strike several months later.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing damage at home targeted in airstrike several months after the incident.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    46
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]