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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Incident Code

RS501

Incident date

January 29, 2016

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

Ten civilians including seven young brothers and sisters died in an alleged Russian strike on al-Bab.

In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes allegedly carried out dozens of strikes on the towns on Al Bab, Manbij, Jarablus and Qabasein, leading to “dozens of dead and wounded in Al Bab and Qabaseen.“

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled several houses that surround Jabal Sheikh Akeel in Al Bab city in Aleppo suburbs“, adding that nine civilians died from one family, including six children and three women. Halab Today reported 14 deaths, while All 4 Syria said 15 civilians had died.

VDC has named the following 10 fatalities, all of whom it said died “Due to Russian air forces shelling of the town”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Asinat Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Omar Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Omran Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Sara Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Shaymaa Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Nour Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Muhannad Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Bushra Haj Abdo
Adult female killed
Muna al-Waki
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Zanoub Kannas
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (7 children3–4 women)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ 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 military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (7 children3–4 women)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS537

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

ام صهريج, Um Sahreej, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3206458, 37.3420974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup for February 3rd, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian craft carried out raids on the towns of Umm Sahreej, Totah, Hajila, Al Rahjan and Sarha which led to the fall of two martyrs and several wounded.” It did not indicate in which location the two victims died, and there is currently no further information.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS570

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Arteek, according to local sources.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported deaths in the town as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes launched intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang, Tal Mssibain, Ma’arat al Arteek, Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafr Hamra, Kafr Naya, Miskan and the area of Qabr al Inglisi [the english tomb]. The raids led to the fall of martyrs and wounded in particular in Kafr Hamra and Ma’arat al Arteek.“

According to Shahba Press, three civilians died in a Russian strike. They provided no further details.

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Badr Saleh Omar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (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
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS603

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died in airstrikes on Tel Rifa’at, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that multiple Russian warplanes targeted Aleppo on February 13th, adding that there were 20 strikes on Tel Rifa’at, but they did not report any casualties. Shahba Press also blamed Russia for carrying out more than 20 strikes, and put the death toll at five.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights at least five victims died when regime warplanes missiles fired on Tel Rifa’at. Step News Agency referred to strikes by both Russian warplanes and Syrian military helicopters.

One victim was named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The VDC later named five other victims killed in a Russian strike.

According to a tweet by Sharafabood, an “Emir of Jabhat el Nusra, Abdul Salam el Sun“, was also killed. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also named him as killed in a Russian strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bassam Hamadeh
Adult male Listed by VDC, also known as Abo Jameel killed
Ahmad al-Khateeb
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Ahmad al-Khateeb
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abd al-Salam Walid Saloum al-San
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Abdo Omer Hamida
Adult male Listed by VDC, possibly same as Hassam Hamadeh killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4–5 men)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS635

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including three children died in an airstrike on the Al Sakhour neighborhood in Aleppo according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

Al Jazeera reported that four civilians from the same family were killed in a Russian raid. Baladi also blamed Russia, but put the death toll at five.

According to a 40-minute programme by Al Jisr Satellite TV, (video posted above) two children were killed in Al Sakhour area of Aleppo city, allegedly by a Russian airstrike. However, the VDC said that the regime was responsible and listed five unidentified victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the alleged strikes by Jisr TV. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS667

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

البوليل, Al Bulial, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.192087, 40.379369 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians died in multiple airstrikes on Al Bulial, according to local sources. While the majority of reports blamed Russia, some pointed towards the Assad regime.

According to All4Syria: “Russian warplanes carried out 12 raids on a farm in the village of Albulial, resulting in a number of civilian deaths. Among them were Hussein al-Ajil and Basil Mattar al-Farhan Saleh and Shadi Saleh Ma’ajoun al Hijjo and Lakman Watani al Zarzour.” [the last name was also linked to the previous event.]

Other sources blaming Russia included Nabd Syria, Smart, Deir Free and Syrianpc. They all put the death toll at two.

According to Yasmin Alsham there was “heavy artillery shelling in Al-Mohsen and Al Bulial towns as the fighting with IS continues around the military airport.” Other sources referred to raids but didn’t identify the culprits, while LCCSY said as many as 12 missiles were fired from a “warplane”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al-Ajil
Age unknown named by All4Syria killed
Basil Mattar al-Farhan Saleh
Age unknown named by All4Syria killed
Shadi Saleh Ma’ajoun al Hijjo
Age unknown named by All4Syria killed
Shadi Saleh Al Ma’joun
Age unknown named by Syrian PC killed
Basel Matar Al-Farhan
Age unknown named by Syrian PC, The VDC also named Basel Martar Al-Farhan, however, they said that he was killed in “Syrian regime shelling”.

Summary

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

  • Basel Matar Al-Farhan killed in a contested raid. (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 has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • 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

RS699

Incident date

March 1, 2016

Location

المسطومة, Al Mastumah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8755, 36.62967 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man and his granddaughter died in strikes on the village of Al Mastumah according to local sources – though these were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime, with only one report attributing the incident to Moscow.

Shaam News Network reported that “Activists in Idlib province documented the targeting of the town of Al-Mastumah south of the city of Idlib with three ballistic missiles sourced from Russian warships in the Mediterranean which killed the civilian Ahmed Al Ali and his granddaughter, a little girl. There were also many injuries among his family, who were taken to medical hospitals.“

However, according to other sources this was an attack by the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least two victims including a child died when regime forces fired surface to surface missiles. Bansh City Coordinators posted a video (see below) titled: ‘A new breaking of the truce: 2 martyrs and 9 wounded following regime strikes on the village of al Mastouma in the Idlib countryside 1/3/2016’. This was also posted by the Syrian Network.

According to a tweet by the Smart News Agency the regime shelled around the village. RFS said Al Mastumah was targeted with three consecutive rockets and cluster bombs, but it was not clear whether Russia or the regime was responsible. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also mentioned the incident, but did not say who carried it out.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Al Ali
Adult male killed
Granddaughter of Ahmad Al Ali
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–9
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Idlib - Al Mastuma - wounded following alleged regime forces raids on the village with ground to ground missiles (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Civilian casualty statements

Russian Military

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

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 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–9
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS731

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and ten civilians died and 10 more were injured in an airstrike on Al Salheen which violated a ceasefire, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

Janobia reported that Russian raids on Al Salheen killed 10 civilians and wounded a “large number” more. Al Jazeera, citing Shaam News, also said Russia was to blame, as did Jisr TV.

However Mobtata said the regime was responsible: “The regime bombarded the Al-Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo.” Syriannews – citing the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also said that this was a regime incident. It quoted Observatory director, Rami Abdel Rahman, “who explained that the death toll ‘is the highest within the city of Aleppo, since in start of the ceasefire in February 27′”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Mobtada News)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Mobtada News)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Mobtada News)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Shaam News)
  • Civilians in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Shaam News)
  • Civilian in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Shaam News)
  • The aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Shaam News)
  • Civilian in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Salheen, Aleppo (via Shaam News)
  • Footages of the shelling on Al-Ma’adi and Al-Salheen (via al-Jazeera twitter)
  • "Al-salheen: a new air raid targets civilians in breach of ceasefire yesterday 3/11" (via Mustafa51202403 twitter)
  • "Aleppo: 10 martyrs in Al-Salheen in a russian warplanes’ massacre" (via Jisrtv twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]