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

RS806

Incident date

May 24, 2016

Location

Afrin-Darat Azza road, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3402953, 36.8411064 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to reports by the Shaam News Network and multiple other sources, Russian airstrikes targeted the road between Afrin and Darat Azza destroying fuel transport trucks, and killing two drivers and injuring several other civilians in the vicinity. The reports noted that this road was considered to be a “humanitarian corridor” and “one of the most important lifelines in northern Syria“.

Most sources blamed Russia for the raids, or did not identify the warplanes. Syria Mirror said it was the work of the regime.

At present no names of victims have been confirmed. However photographs of a civilian that was killed were made available by @mazenaloush on Twitter and the Syria Mirror. Syria-news has also reported that ten civilians were wounded in the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The truck driver was killed in the air strike
  • The road between Afreen and Darat Ezza, photo courtesy of Zaman Masdar news.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The truck driver who was killed in the air strike
  • An oil truck on fire

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 May 1st – 31st

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 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS839

Incident date

June 3, 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

Up to seven civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Salheen, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing seven civilians in the Salheen neighborhood.

According to Syrian pc, “regime helicopters threw two explosive barrels on AL-Salheen which caused death of one civilian and injured two more.”

Rozana -fm reported that “Russian and Syrian warplanes launched many raids on various neighbours today including Alsalheen, Al-castello, Bei’deen Bustan Al-Qasir, Al-Ansari, Bab Al-neyrab, Tariq Al-Bab, Masakin Hananon which caused the death of 32 civilians and wounded tens more.”

Aawsat blamed Russian and regime warplanes for killing seven non-combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A civilian girl pulled from the rubble by The White Helmets following alleged Russian warplane strikes on Salheen, Aleppo (Youtube by AMC)
  • Civilian girl is pulled from rubble by White Helmets in Salheen. Twitter account susupened, screengrab accessed via Airwars archive.

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 June 1st – 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 – 7
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS871

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaqid al Adas, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2645222, 37.0187463 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others injured when Russian warplanes struck Yaqid al Adas with cluster bombs, according to local sources.

LCCSY, Syrianpc and Baladi were among sources blaming Russia.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes carried out raids on Yaqid al Adas, but did not provide any further details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS903

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Location

Various locations in Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2000000, 37.6000000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that “Russian planes launched raids on the villages of Zeitan, al Zirba, Al Karassi, Khan Tuman, Al I’ss, Jib Kass and Aleppo – Damascus road – leading the fall of civilian martyrs and wounded.” No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS937

Incident date

June 25, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russia airstrike killed up to two civilians and left a number of others wounded in the city of Maarat al-Artiq, local media reported.

Multiple sources blamed Russia for the event, though several referred only to “warplanes”.

According to @HalabNewsN there were two Russian strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • 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 (12) [ 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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS969

Incident date

July 4, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Reports said both Russian and Syrian regime warplanes caused destruction to Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, “before Iftar” (sunset) on July 4th, killing between four and seven civilians including two young girls.

Multiple sources including Al Jazeera described the use of missiles, explosive barrels and cluster bombs, which caused destruction to the local community of not only Kafr Hamra, but five other named local villages; These include “Anadan, Hraytan, Kafr Hamra, Mallah, Handarat and Castello.”

Furthermore, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, there were multiple attacks: “Warplanes bombarded areas of Hayan town, no reported losses. Areas between Aazaz and Afrin were exposed to bombardment by regime forces. Helicopters dropped explosive barrels on the Castello road and Kafar Hamra which killed two children in Kafar Hamra. A man was killed with his child by a landmine around A’zaz city. Aerial bombardment targeted Hreitan and al-Mallah areas, no reported losses.”

Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two Mosques, Hassan and Hussein, were “partially damaged and rendered inoperable” in the shelling.

Syrian Press Center put the death toll as high as seven.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rimas al Hassan
2 years old female killed
Batoul Qanti, five-years old
5 years old female killed
Ramadan Hassan Ramadan al Ahmad
29 years old male killed
Mohammad Yusuf
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–16
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Kafr Hamra, 4th July 2016, 'Russian warplane shelling with cluster bombs.'
  • Destruction of Hassan and Hussein mosque in Kafr Hamra following alleged Russian shelling (via SN4HR)
  • Very graphic images of victims in Kafr Hamra following alleged Russian shelling (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • Wounded civilians after alleged Russian raids on Kafr Hamra (via Thiqa)
  • Buildings destroyed in Kafr Hamra after suspected Russian shelling (Tweet by @Thiqanewsagency)
  • Smoke rises above Kafr Hamra after alleged Russian shelling with cluster bombs (via Syrianpc)
  • A video listed the alleged victims - @0’33” (Youtube via Halab Today 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 not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–16
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1001

Incident date

July 13, 2016

Location

الليرامون, Bleilramoun, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2386486, 37.0941782 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children died in either an alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Baleirmoon neighbourhood, local media reported.

According to Syrian Newsdesk, “Assad regime and Russian warplanes targeted Bleilramoun neighbourhood which is under opposition control north west of the city of Aleppo with several raids.”

The Syrian Network For Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime for the warplane shelling. Shehab News Agency also blamed the regime and HNM News claimed that the regime used missiles in the airstrike.

Several local sources blamed Russian warplanes.

Not only were residential buildings reportedly destroyed but Tawabeen Mosque faced damage too.

There were no specific reports on the numbers wounded, however several reported “dozens wounded”.

Halab Today alleged barrel bombs caused the deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abd al Malik Ahmad Khalifa
Child killed
Abd al Nasser Khalifa
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Lairamoon Hammoud Mohammad Kirno
Age unknown killed
Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The impact as Russian and Assad warplanes shelled Baleirmoon neighbourhood with missiles on 13th July 2016. (via. journalhalder tweet).
  • Clouds of smoke above Baleirmoon, Aleppo. Unclear as to whether Russia or Regime responsible. (via Syrianpc)
  • A list of victims - @0’52” - Lairamoon Hammoud Mohammad Kirno, Abd al Malik Ahmad Khalifa and Abd al Nasser Khalifa - alleged killed in warplane attacks on Baleirmoon (Youtube by Halab Today 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 not reported any strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1033

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Cluster bombs dropped by alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes bombarded and destroyed residential housing killing 12 civilians and wounding up to 40 more in Jisr al-Shughur, local media reported.

Baladi News and Jisrtv blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. LCCSY, however, blamed the Assad regime for the raids. Zaman al-Wasl News reported sighting both Assad regime and Russian warplanes.

Shaam News Network confirmed the event occurred at dawn, with two raids which included rockets loaded cluster bombs. It reported that “Russian warplanes targeted al Sawma’a Square with cluster bomb the city centre, causing the fall of seven martyrs of the primary outcome and more than 30 injured.”

According to Jisrtv, “Russian warplanes targeted Al-Soama’a square in Jisr Al-Shoughour with cluster bombs which killed seven in the initial death toll and wounded tens.”

At the time this was reported Jisrtv claimed the Civil Defence team were still rescuing bodies from the rubble. A correspondent from Al Jazeera said that “The raids caused a huge destruction in the buildings which made the rescuing much harder.”

Syrian Human Rights Network put the number killed slightly higher at 12. It also confirmed that 10 of those people were women and children.

Other reports claimed that 40 were injured and many of them were critical therefore the death toll was likely to rise. Syrian Press Center confirmed that 12 civilians had been killed, naming ten which is seen below. The same media also reported that only 30 people had been injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hana’a Omar Al-Sheik
Age unknown female killed
Saleha Al-Sheik
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Nawar Farran
Age unknown male killed
Layla Mohammed Mobayed
Age unknown female killed
Nidal Fido
Age unknown male killed
Othman
Age unknown male killed
Sham Ahmad Kaser Ghalyoun
Age unknown male killed
Hana’a Haj Hassan
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Shehada
Age unknown female killed
Kaltoum Amer
Age unknown female killed
A child from the Bakora family.
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 child7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hospital scenes depicting injured civilians following the contested airstrikes in Jisr Al-Shoghour (via Jisr Al-Shoghour Media Center)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of injured children following the strikes in Jisr Al-Shoghour (via Baladi News)

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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 child7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]