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
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Incident Code

RS739

Incident date

March 19, 2016

Location

مسكنة, Maskanah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.964534, 38.036764 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to two sources – Syria_Omar and Syrian Press Center – two power station workers died in a strike on plant in Maskanah.

Syria_Omar reported: “Warplanes launched 12 air strikes on the city of Maskaneh on Saturday, resulting in the deaths of workers of the power plant in the city after the station targeted by aerial bombardment. This put the station out of service.” Radar2 reported that warplanes (it didn’t identify them) had carried out 12 raid on Maskanah – “without reports of injuries”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jabali Abd al-Atia
Adult male Originally from Sandalia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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

RS771

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2361737, 37.1832275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several sources reported alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhood of Bei’deen, which led to the death of one or more civilians including a child.

A  Halab Today correspondent said “four civilians [were] wounded in my neighborhood as a result of the aerial bombardment of the Russian air force”. LCCSY reported that one child was killed and one woman injured “after Russian planes target Bei’deen neighbourhood with an air raid”.

Smart News agency also reported the incident, but did not identity who was responsible or state the death toll.

Orient News reported the death of 25 civilians in a number of neighbourhoods and blamed Russia, explaining that “Russian aircraft [with] guided missiles targeted the residential buildings in my neighborhood, ‘Bustan Al-Qaser and Kallaseh’ in the city of Aleppo”, as well as the “neighborhoods Bei’deen and Alsakhur and Marjeh, and Tareek Al-Bab and Salheen and the  Ard Al Hamra “, which led to casualties among civilians.”

Baladi news also reported that the neighborhoods Bei’deen, Karam Altarab, Bab al-Nasr, and Bab Al-Hadeed had been targets of “artillery and missile and aerial bombing, leading to “martyrs and wounded”. It did not say who carried out the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A man is pulled from the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike on several Aleppo neighbourhoods, April 27th 2016 (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

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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

RS804

Incident date

May 21, 2016

Location

صلاح القرية‬, Salah al Qariya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.243096, 40.260944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five to six civilians including two children and two to three women died in airstrikes on Salah al Qariya area, in Albu Umar according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

LCCSY reported the death of four civilians in what they said were Russian strikes. Qasioun put the death toll higher, reporting six civilians killed. It later named the child Salah Kharaba as having died from injuries sustained in a strike by “warplanes” on Deir ez-Zor.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and Syrian PC news also said four individuals died and a number more were wounded after Russian planes targeted Salah al Qariya.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said the regime was responsible, also putting the death toll at four non-combatants including a child and two women.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salah Kharaba
Child male killed
Mariam al Falah
Age unknown female killed
Hanan Awwad al Khalifa
Age unknown female killed
Subha al Ahmad
Age unknown female killed
Ayham Mahmoud al Awwad al Khalifa
3 months years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • Ayham Mahmoud Awad Al Khalifa, three-months-old, killed in an alleged Russian strike on Salah al Qariya, May 21st (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 publicly 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
    5 – 6
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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

RS837

Incident date

June 3, 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 three and seven civilians died and many more were injured in an incident in the Ansari neighborhood of Aleppo. Some sources blamed Russia while others said that Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the area.

Among sources which attributed he incident to Russia were Baladi, Syrian Press Center, Shahba Press and Shahba Revolution. Death counts varied between five and seven civilians.

According to Syrian Press Center, five members of one family died.

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

However, other sources explicitly blamed the regime, putting the number killed between three and seven.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least four civilians died when regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs.

LCCSY also said the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "at least 4 were killed in regime helicopters explosive barrels on Al-Ansari neighbourhood in Aleppo on 3rd of June" (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • "corpse from under the rubble all day in Aleppo due to Assad’s shelling which does not stop" (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in Russian warplane shelling on Al-ANsari in Aleppo and a massacre in Al-Hulluk" (Tweet by shbabRevolution)
  • "White helmet: a whole building was knocked in Al-Ansari which resulted in 5 martyrs and many wounded and we’re still searching for people under rubble" (Youtube via AMC)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in helicopters bombardment with explosive barrels on Al-ANsari in ALeppo" (Tweet by @thiqanewsagency)

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
    3 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS869

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians died in alleged Russian strikes on various locations across Aleppo during the second day of Ramadan, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and regime helicopters “launched air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs and explosive barrels on the cities of Huraytan and anadan and towns of Hayan and Kafr Hamrah and Maarat al Artiq, al Leiramon, al Mallah, Al Qabr al Inglisi and Assiya which led to the fall of the martyrs and the number of wounded among civilians“.

A subsequent SNN report said that Russia was to blame, while a video reported the use of “phosophrous and cluster and vacuum bombs” in Anadan on the second day of Ramadan.

Alalam published the same video and said that Russia was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Russian warplanes use napalm in Anadan" (Youtube by Madinet Haritan)

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS901

Incident date

June 14, 2016

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1475457, 36.9448239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians including one woman died and several others were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Urma al Kubra, according to local sources.

Most sources blamed Russia for the strike, putting the death toll at four.

According to @ShahbaPress, “two Palestinians were killed and wounded, including a woman in a Russian bombardment with cluster bombs”.

@Anasalhage said that a woman died and several other non-combatants were injured following the collapse of a building.

Shahed-ayan said that four died, though didn’t say who was responsible.

Similarly, a number of other sources didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "a raid by a warplane targeting Urma al Kubra led to the collapse of a building and several injuries one of them critical and fires raging in the targeted area. The civil defence team worked to put out the fires and evacuate the civilians" (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page unavailable 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS934

Incident date

June 24, 2016

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1475457, 36.9448239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a range of local media reports, between two and six civilians including up to two children and three women were killed and up to 45 civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Kubra. There are conflicting statements as to whether the airstrike was conducted by the Syrian or the Russian regime.

Al-Araby reported that the Syrian regime was responsible airstrike, while Baladi, @BigSyrianRevolution, Al-majhr and Syrian News claimed that it was Russian.

Besides from the death of the non-combatants, al-Majhr News report that the airstrike “killed the military commander of the movement of Nur al-Din Al-Zanki, Colonel Mohammed Naimi, and killed the commander of a brigade supporters, Juma Ghazal, and the commander Ansar brigade, Omar Ahmad Barakat”.

The number of civilians reported injured varied, but many of the sources (such as Al-araby, Thiq News, Shabab News) reported that “dozens” were injured. However, Step News Agency said the number of wounded civilians mounted up to 45.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Aziz Barakat
55 years old male killed
Jumaa Ghazal
15 years old male (uncertainty over his combat status as al-Majhr News refers to him as combatant) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–45
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Urma al Kubra, June 24th (via Jisrtv)
  • @1’32” Jumaa Ghazal 15 years old (Youtube by Halab Tv Today)
  • "warplanes targeted the town of Urma al Kubra and Kafr Jom with barrel bombs and cluster bombs which led to five martyrs - 2 children and three women" (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Smoke rises following warplane attacks on Urma Al Kubra (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "civil defence work on moving the injured following the raids on Urma al Kubra" (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "civil defence work on moving the injured following the raids on Urma al Kubra" (via Aleppo White Helmets)

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
    2 – 6
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–45
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS967

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An entire residential building in the neighbourhood of Al-Mashhad was reportedly destroyed killing four or five civilians. Both LCCSY and locals have confirmed the shelling took place on Al-Albisah Street.

Multiple sources claim there was heavy shelling and the use of missiles by Russian warplanes. All sources, including Syrian News Desk, reported the warplanes to be Russian.

Qasioun said children were killed, though didn’t specify the number.

Mujahed Abujoud put the death toll at five.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Children stand together amongst the rubble following an airstrike in Al Mashhad. 2nd July 2016. (via AMC)
  • Photographs showing the destruction following alleged aerial bombardment on Al-Mashhad (Tweet via @ShahbaPress)
  • Extensive material destruction in Al-Mashhad (Youtube via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Children stand amongst destruction caused by alleged warplanes in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.admin)
  • Two civilian children look on at the destruction in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.amin)
  • A civilian boy sits with his head in his hands amongst the rubble in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.amin)
  • The White Helmets inspect the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes on Al-Mashhad (Tweet by @Fouadhallak89)
  • Photos of material destruction and the White Helmets rescue mission at Al-Mashhad (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Distressing images of children pulled from rubble (Tweet via @Mojahedaboalijod)
  • The White Helmets work with civilians to rescue victims of alleged Russian attacks on Al Mashhad (Tweet via @thiqanewsagency)
  • A civilian girl is carried away from the scene at Al Mashhad (via Smart)
  • Scenes of the alleged aerial bombardment on Al-Mashhad, Aleppo (Tweet via @ShahbaPress)
  • Extensive material damage on Al Mashhad following suspected Russian raids (Tweet via @ShehabAgency)

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children)
  • 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]