Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

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

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Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS1179

Incident date

August 21, 2016

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians including a child died and several more were injured in airstrikes on Arbin, according to sources on the ground. The majority of the sources blamed the Assad regime for the attack; none of the reports explicitly pointed to Russia, though a number didn’t identify the culprit.

Smart reported that “regime warplanes launched four raids on the city of Arbin in East Ghouta”.

According to @al_jazirah, “four civilians died and several others others were wounded in a bombing of Arbin by regime aircraft”.

@Syriapost1 and Radio AlKul also reported regime strikes on the town.
One adult male civilian fatality was named by the Violations Documentation – they say he was killed by “Syrian government and affiliated militias” warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adnan Kuke
Adult male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Adane Kuke, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, VDC)
  • Damage to the local infrastructure in the aftermath of an alleged raid. (via, al_jazirah)
  • Damage to the local infrastructure in the aftermath of an alleged raid. (via, al_jazirah)
  • Damage to the local infrastructure in the aftermath of an alleged raid. (via, al_jazirah)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1212

Incident date

September 2, 2016

Location

طياني, Al Tayanneh, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.993798, 40.548059 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five or six civilians including up to four children and three women died and at least a dozen more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Tayaneh, according to local media. The majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, though two blamed the Syrian regime and others didn’t apportion blame.

DeirEzzorradio, Abdulrahmanhajj and Derynews blamed Russia.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at five including three children and three women, said that the regime was responsible.

LCCSY also pointed towards the regime, reporting that its warplanes destroyed three houses in strikes.

There was some confused reporting from Alamawi with tweets accusing both the regime and then Russia.

Palestine Today offered some more information on victims, saying that “a woman and her sister along with her child and two other children” died.

Syrian News Desk provided the most details, reporting that “four children and a young man were killed and more than 12 other civilians wounded, including two children, this afternoon, due to the Russian warplanes carrying out two raids on Taianh village, which is under the control of Islamic State. The shelling resulted in the destruction of two houses completely and two others partially, in addition to the combustion of a vehicle and damage to businesses in the area”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ria Soud
Age unknown killed
Zubiedah Soud

The victims were named as:

Ieman Suleiman Aldabjan
Age unknown killed
Abd Al-Qader Farhan Awad
Age unknown killed
Yazan Al-Ragheb Sulieman
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises above a residential area in Al Tayaneh following suspected Russian shelling (via Jisirtv)
  • The site where suspected Russian warplanes hit Al Tayaneh causing significant material destruction (via DeirEzzorradio)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–4 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1244

Incident date

September 9, 2016

Location

كفر ناها, Shamico, near Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a mosque in Shamico near Kafr Naha, according to local media. Sources reported that cluster bombs were used in the attack and that civilian homes were destroyed.

The majority of sources referred only to “warplanes”, though Smart and Syria News Desk blamed Russia.

According to Syria News Desk, “civilians were killed and wounded while they were leaving Friday prayers after Russian warplanes targeted a mosque with cluster bombs”.

Most sources put the death toll at two, though Syria News Desk said one person died and dozens more were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of cluster bombs and rubble in Kafr Naha, the aftermath of alleged Russian warplane shelling (Tweet via @baladinetwork)
  • Material destruction in Kafr Naha following suspected Russian warplane shelling (Youtube via Baladi)
  • Local people survey the destruction in Kafr Naha, the impact of suspected warplane shelling (Youtube via AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1277

Incident date

September 17, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.7146658, 40.7555866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the road outside al Salhiye, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

Step News Agency – who put the death toll at one – stated that “Russian military warplanes launched several raids.”

Other outlets, such as @DeirElzor24 and @so_ria98, did not name the responsible party, but reported only that warplanes struck Al Salhiye.

According to LCCSY, “three civilians of one family, Hasan Jejan and his two kids, were martyred in an airstrike by warplanes on the second day of Eid, which targeted the road between Salihia and Husainia villages in the western suburbs”.

@AlMohaimmed put the number killed at four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Hasan Jejan
Adult male killed
Child of Hasan Jejan
Child killed
Child of Hasan Jejan
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian strikes on the city of Al Salhiya (via @AlMohaimmed tweet)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1309

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported between two and nine civilians were killed and several others injured by a bombing on residential buildings in the Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood in Aleppo – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible.

Some outlets reported napalm was used in the bombings, which were attributed both to the regime and to Russian warplanes.

Multiple photographs and videos captured the destruction of several homes, and according to an LCCSY Facebook post on September 23rd, civilians were still trapped under the rubble.

The Step News Agency tweeted that four people had been pulled alive from the building, while Alwatan reported on September 24th that a search was ongoing for four people still trapped.

@RadioAlKul said that four casualties in Tareeq al Bab were the result of Russian strikes. Ara News also reported four deaths, as did the Shaam News Network.

However, Qasioun and Syrians News reported nine casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Badr Mi’rawi
Child male killed
Ahmad Sheikh Dibo
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Rescuing team trying to extinguish the fire caused by the contested airstrikes on Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo (via AMC)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes targeting Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo (via Smart News)
  • The contested airstrikes left parts of Tareeq al-Bab complete destroyed (via ShahbaPress)
  • Remnants of the weaponry targeting of Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Tareeq al-Bab after being hit by the contested airstrikes (Aleppo AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1341

Incident date

September 25, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and 17 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

Most sources said around 17 people were killed, while Araby reported that only one civilian died.

Several sources, such as Step News and Smart News, claimed cluster bombs were used in two or three strikes.

Baladi added that number of civilians were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1373

Incident date

September 30, 2016

Location

الزيتونات, al Zaitouniat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19885, 37.155762 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sixteen or 17 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Zaitouniat neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media.

Smo-sy reported: “five civilians were killed and others were wounded in the Al Zaitouniat area in the Halak district today [Sept 30th], following Russian bombardment raids.”

Several sources mentioned the use of bunker busters which caused heavy damage to buildings in the neighbourhood.

Thiqanewsagency wrote on Twitter that ten people were killed. Meanwhile, Halab News reported the highest death count of 17 victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Nour
4 years old male killed
Nidal Ismail Ismail
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Al Dibo al Dibo
17 years old killed
Bakri al Dibo al Mohammad,
60 years old male killed
Yahia al Sattouf
Age unknown female killed
Mahmoud Illo
35 years old male killed
Dibo Qassem
50 years old male killed
Abd al Salam Mhanna
38 years old male killed
Mhanna Mhanna
20 years old female killed
Abu al Laith
30 years old male killed
Abu Hsaib
30 years old male killed
Hussein Haj Hasan
50 years old male killed
Fatima Darwish
10 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 17
  • (2–4 children1 woman7 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The alleged Russian airstrikes on Zaytounat district of Aleppo caused massive destruction, 30th September 2016. (via Smart News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes on Zaytounat district of Aleppo, 30th September 2016. (via Thiqa News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 17
  • (2–4 children1 woman7 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1407

Incident date

October 5, 2016

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to nine civilians including six children and two women died in what was described as a “massacre” at  Shamico Farms in Kafr Naha near Aleppo. Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the deaths.

The twitter account AleppoAMC reported that the incident led to “eight martyrs including six children”.

Violations Documentation Center Syria (VDC), Halab News Network (HNN) and Syria Human Rights Committee (SHRC) identified the victims, stating that they formed entire families.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mahmoud Ahmad Saroukh
15 years old male killed
Abd al Rahman Ahmad Sarouk
13 years old killed
Son of Ahmad Saroukh 1
Child male killed
Son of Ahmad Saroukh 1
Child male killed
The wife of Ahmad Saroukh
female killed

Family members (3)

Khatoun Salama al Omar
Adult female killed
Ahmad Salama al Omar
Child male killed
Batoul Salama al Omar
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Abdulwahab Nassif Taha
Age unknown named by Syria2011 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (6 children2 women)
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • Image showing damage caused to a farm following the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • Image showing damage caused to a farm following the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • Image showing damage caused to a farm following the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • Image showing damage caused to a farm following the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid in Kafr Naha. (via, Baladi)
  • The exact moment the raid hit. (via Baladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mahmoud Ahmad Saroukh, killed in an alleged Russian raid on a farm in Kafr Naha, 5th October 2016. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (6 children2 women)
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]