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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS195

Incident date

November 26, 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

Three civilians were reported killed and five injured – including children – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

According to Smart News “Russian warplanes carried out four raids with rockets on the town which left three dead and seven wounded, including a woman, who was taken  to a nearby field hospital.”

Monitors named the three victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Ahmad Khalouf
Adult male named by vdc killed
Abdul Rahman Makeye
Adult male named by vdc killed
Abd al Jalil Ahmad Al I’tal
Adult male named by vdc killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • A damaged car following an alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via SNHR)
  • The aftermath of the shelling on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via SNHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child following the alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via SNHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child following an alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street, Hraytan, November 26th (via SN4HR)
  • Footage of the aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via ShaamNetwork S.N.N)
  • The moment an alleged Russian airstrike Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via Shahba Press Agency)
  • The moments immediately after the alleged Russian airstrike on Baghdad Street in Hraytan, Nov 26th (via City of Hreitan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mahmoud Khallouf (via vdc)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–7
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS227

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.401129, 37.14446 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what appears to be a separate incident from the Maskaneh event previously listed, five non- combatants were reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly struck a convoy of trucks carrying aid to the areas controlled by rebels in the northern countryside of Aleppo.

Shaam News Network cited the Anatolia News Agency as saying the trucks were carrying fuel for the White Helmets in Aleppo when the road connecting Kafrnasseh and Ihress was targeted by waplanes. The Network added: “Russia has recently been targetting trucks carrying relief materials and commercial goods from northern areas in Syria near the border crossings with Turkey.”

A reporter at the scene for Zaman said five civilians died and ‘several were injured’ in what was described as the third day of such Russian attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Burning trucks in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Ahras, December 4th 2015. The trucks were supposedly carrying oil from Daesh. (via, Zaman Press for News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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

Incident Code

RS260

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Violations Documentation Centre alleged that Russian warplanes carried out dawn airstrikes on Najieh village.

One adult male victim has been named by the VDC as Nabeil Shawa, who died “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs.”

The village mosque was also badly damaged in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nabeil Shawa
Adult male "died due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling of the town with cluster bombs." killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Photographic evidence of the destruction caused. (via, Haroun al Zeir)
  • Images taken as the airstrike fell through the sky. (via, Jable News)
  • The inside of a Mosque after an airstrike in Najieh. (via, Al Najiegh Town)
  • This is the main square in Al Najieh village. (via, Sema tweet)
  • Nabil Shawwar, adult male, killed on December 11th 2015. (via, Al Najieh Town)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS293

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 11 civilians were reported killed including two children in three airstrikes on Al Bab, according to multiple reports. Shahba Press claimed that “Russian warplanes launched three air strikes on al Bab City, which resulted in the deaths of five people, including two children, in addition to a large number of injuries and widespread destruction in the public property and homes of citizens.”

The Daesh-linked agency Al A’maq later raised the civilian death toll to 11 citing a medical source, but did not say whether the Assad regime or Russia was responsible. Syria 2011 named four victims who it said were “killed by Russian air raids on the city of Al Bab today.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdul Ghani Ali Kirmani
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Ahmed Kirmani
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Zakaria Marwan Hamadeh
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Ahmed Sidamr
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the incident. (via, Al Jisr Satellite)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. 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
Official source

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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

RS325

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

كحيل, Kaheel, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.616784, 36.266117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians were reported killed including a woman and dozens wounded, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaheel according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that four non-combatants died when Russian warplanes struck the town. The seriously wounded were taken to field hospitals.

Five victims were listed by the Violations Documentation Center and one Unidentified adult female was also listed.

The Yaqueen Media Foundation posted two videos, one showing the body of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani and another depicting his funeral.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saeid Hamed al-Masri
Adult male killed
Fayez Naser al-Qaderi
Adult male killed
Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al-Mefelani
Child male killed
Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The burial of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Saeid Hamed al-Masri, killed by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al-Mefelani, male child, killed by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kaheel (كحيل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.616784, 36.266117. 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
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS357

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

حي العامرية, Al Ameria (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17204, 37.13025 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between eight and 10 civilians including one to three children were killed and up to 15 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Ameria and Al Sukkari neighbourhoods, according to multiple sources.

The White Helmets said that eight civilians died and three were injured in a raid on Al Sukkari, but they did not state was was responsible for the attack.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also said that eight were killed in a strike near the al-Abbas mosque between the neighbourhoods of Al Sukkari and Al Ameria. Four were from the same family, including one child and five elderly people. They did not say who the “warplanes” belonged to, but added that the death toll was expected to rise.

The Shaam News Network put the number of deaths higher – at 10 – and blamed Russian aircraft for targeting non-combatants directly in Al Sukkari, adding that the shelling caused material damage, resulting in the complete destruction of two houses and partial destruction of a third.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported that 10 had died, including three children and 15 others were injured when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Al Ameria.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Shaker Hweidi
70 years old male killed
Omar Hweidi
84 years old male killed
Abdulaziz Hweidi
82 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Kamel Sultan
81 years old male killed
Mohammad Sultan
82 years old male killed
Nader Sultan
30 years old male killed
From Sultan Family
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Mohamed Hassan Mukahal
Adult male  additionally named by The Damascus Centre for Human Rights, from Amiriyah who died “in indiscriminate shelling by the Russian air force.” killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1–3 children6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets at the scene of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Sukkari which they said killed eight civilians. (via, White Helmets)
  • An interview in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid, shows huge amounts of destruction. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies being tended to following an alleged Russian raid. Footage also reveals civilians attempting to clear the rubble. (via, AFP)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1–3 children6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS389

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Location

الزبدية, Zibdiyah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1873081, 37.1341324 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A children’s nursery was reportedly struck in a Russian airstrike at Zibdiyah – just a day after a similar incident in Damascus governorate.

According to Al Jisr, “Russian airforce aggression also targeted a nursery in the Zibdiyah quarter of Aleppo which led to the deaths of 3 children.” Aleppo White Helmets said 20 children were also injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the White Helmets rescuing civilians from the rubble of a nursery which was targeted by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, The White Helmets)
  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian airstike which targeted a nursery in Zibdyia. (via, Al Jisir TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of multiple injured children being treated in a medical facility following an alleged Russian raid on a nursery in Zibdiyah. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Footage showing the destruction to the local infrastructure following the alleged Russian raid on 13th January 2016. (via, Aleppo Media Centre)
  • More footage showing the aftermath of the raid. Civilians can be seem attempting to clear up the rubble. (via, Halab News Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not publicly reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

RS421

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Location

القصابية, Al Qassabiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.4654453, 36.4964532 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that at least four civilians including a girl and a woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired two missiles on a school in the village of Al Qassabiya.

LCCSY said that four civilians from one family died as a result of Russian strikes in Al Qassabiya.

Syria2011 also named these victims – again blaming Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ghassan Abdulwahab al-Abdullah
Adult male named by LCCSY killed
Wife of Ghassan Abdulwahab al-Abdullah
Adult female named by LCCSY killed
Adnan Ghassan Abdulwahab al-Abdullah
Child named by LCCSY killed
Aysha Ghassan Abdulwahab al-Abdullah
Child named by LCCSY killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 20 2016, the Kremlin says “in the course of the last 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed 82 combat sorties engaging 204 terrorist objects in Syria,” but makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Idlib.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman1 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 (6) [ collapse]