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
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

RS085

Incident date

October 27, 2015

Location

أم ميال, Um Mayyal, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.39415, 37.40038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a contested event, four named women and men were reported killed in an airstrike at Um Mayyal. While Violations Documentation Center, the Syrian Network and others blamed Russia, the opposition Syria News Desk – which said three homes were destroyed in the incident – said the attack was the work of Assad regime aircraft.

The Syrian Network later published eyewitness testimony from Hassan Al Ahmad, manager of the Child Care Organization, who visited the site: “I was 1.5 km away from the shelling location and went directly to see what happened. I saw a group of young men from the civil defense trying to tell the crowds to leave the shelling site out of fear from being shelled again. The council was shelled previously and the schools suffered from great damage, and four young men were injured Our city is run by local civilian committees and is free of any military presence for any group as all headquarters were evacuated according to the residents’ demands. However, the Russian warplanes launched their airstrikes on civilians.”

The dead were later named.

The Syrian Network said four young men were injured in the attack – but made no mention of fatalities.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Khlaif Shahoud al-Hekari
Adult male killed
Shahoud Khlaif al-Hekari
Adult male killed
Fatima Khlaif al-Hekari
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Dahlia
Adult female 52 year old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Um Myal (أم ميال), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.39415, 37.40038. 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

The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Hama governorate on October 27th-28th 2015: “For 24 hours, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 71 combat sorties engaging 118 terrorist objects in the Idlib, Homs, Hama, Aleppo, Damascus and Lattakia provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS087

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Location

تل هادية, Tal Hadya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.99595, 36.93908 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 11 civilians were reported killed in the second alleged Russian airstrike in as many days on Tal Hadya. A large number of civilians were also reportedly injured in the nighttime attack.

According to the Syrian Observatory, “nine people [six women, one child and two men] were killed in bombing by warplanes believed to be Russian, on the village of Tal Hadya in the southern Aleppo countryside.” Local news placed the civilian toll at 11.

VDC named two civilians killed as Alae Nahhas and Abo Enoud – a 14-year old boy.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alae Nahhas
Adult male killed
Abo Enoud
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–7 children0–6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Abo Enoud, killed in a reported Russian strike October 27th (via VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    photo of Alae Nahhas (via VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Tal Hadya (تل هادية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.99595, 36.93908. 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

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 11
  • (1–7 children0–6 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS088

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Location

بانص, Banis, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.97697, 36.9748 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one and as many as seven civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian strike on Bansh. Violations Documentation Center reported that an unnamed woman was killed “Due to the Russian army air forces’ shelling.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Banis (بانص), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.97697, 36.9748. 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

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS089

Incident date

October 28, 2015

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least three named civilians, including a child, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan and nearby Kafr Hamra.

There was some confusion about the incident, with Zaitonmag reporting that seven anti-government fighters were killed along with three civilians: “A Brigade commander working for Ahrar Syria in Aleppo said that seven of his fighters were martyred Tuesday evening as a result of bombing by Russian warplanes targeting a headquarters of the brigade near the city of Anadan in the Aleppo countryside. Zaitoun’s correspondent in Aleppo reported that Russian warplanes launched four raids on the perimeter of Anadan city.

One of the raids raids targeted a mosque, killing a child and two men – one of whom is a media activist. The mosque was nearly totally destroyed. Members of the civil defence were also injured after being targeted by the Russian aviation during the rescue mission that followed the first raid.”

Violations Documentation Center has listed the following as civilians killed in the attack.

Other reports instead listed three civilians (a man, his child and his mother) killed at nearby Kafr Hamra. According to the White Helmets, “Members of the civil defence pulled out this morning the body of the martyr Haytham Garisha who was martyred with his child and mother following the targeting of his house by warplanes in the town of Kafr Hamra on Tuesday evening October 27th.” Mr Garisha [probably Haytham Ismail Qoraifi n VDC’s list] was described by the Syrian Observatory as a media activist.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Child male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Kheder Ali Hamsho
Adult male killed
Mohammad al-Shaelan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Anadan (عندان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.29353, 37.04466. 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

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS090

Incident date

October 29, 2015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 70 people died and as many as 550 were injured in what was initially reported as a Russian airstrike on the marketplace in Douma. However subsequent reports indicated the specific attack was most likely the work of Assad regime aircraft. Part of the confusion lay in the fact that Russian Air Force aircraft had also reportedly carried out strikes on the city that day.

As AP noted: “There were conflicting reports about the attack in Douma. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Local Co-ordination Committees said government forces fired more than 11 missiles at a market. The Observatory said the attack killed 57 people, while the LCC said at least 40 died… The Syrian National Council, the main Western-backed opposition group in exile, blamed Russian air strikes for the “massacre” in Douma, saying 55 civilians were killed. It said it was the second deadly attack in the past 24 hours after Russian air strikes hit the main Douma hospital.

According to Medecins Sans Frontiers, “At least 70 people have been killed and 550 injured in an air strike on a marketplace in the Douma neighbourhood near Damascus, Syria. As the nearest makeshift hospital had been bombed the previous day, medical workers struggled to cope with the influx of injured people. MSF fears the intensification of bombing that has been seen in northern and central Syria over the course of October could become even more horrific if it spreads to besieged areas around Damascus, where almost a million people are trapped with no way to escape, few medical facilities, and no options for medical evacuations of seriously wounded. The devastation caused by the initial air strike on the market was exacerbated by further shelling on the rescue teams who were attending to the wounded. Two hundred and fifty patients required surgery, and a further 300 patients have been treated for non-surgical wounds. The multi-trauma wounds are described by medics as being worse than anything they have seen before.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    70
  • Civilians reported injured
    550
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Russia also carried out airstrikes at Douma on October 28th, leading to initial confusion on who was respobnisble for the reported deaths of 70 civilians {Shaam News Network)
  • Photos showing Russian warplanes that are still roaming the skies of the besieged Eastern Ghouta and carrying out raids on its cities and towns. (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    70
  • Civilians reported injured
    550
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS096

Incident date

October 30, 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

At least 10 and as many as 13 civilians were reported killed and 40 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab.

According to Shaam News, “More than 10 civilians were killed in the city of Al Bab controlled by IS in addition to many injured. The aircraft targeted Al Rihawi mosque, Martta Square, Beith Al Shami neighbouhood and Sheikh Faress Mosuqe in the city centre which caused widespread destruction in shops and property.

Daesh propaganda footage shows heavy damage to a retail district.

The Syrian Observatory reported that the Al Bab strike – along with attacks on nearby Al Kalassa and Al Ferdous – between them killed “64 civilians including 28 children and 6 women.”

Among those reported injured was Hussein Badawi, head of the local civil defence. Baladi News was alone in attributing the attack to Assad regime forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises above Al Bab Oct 30th following one of many reported Russian airstrikes (via White Helmets)
  • Breaking News for Al Bab facebook page showing the aftermath of the strike (via breaking Bab)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via White Helmets)
  • Translation: The death of 3 martyrs including a woman and her child by Russian planes on the town of Al bab in the eastern countryside. (via moaazalabaas)
  • translation: The martyrdom of 3 people including a woman and her child in an air raid on the city of al bab in eastern Aleppo countryside. (via hammoudday)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS097

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

تادف, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten civilians – at least two of them young children – were alleged killed following a reported Russian strike on Tadeef. Some victims were later named

However neither the Syrian Observatory, Eldorar or Radio Alkul reported civilian deaths, instead describing between 12 and 15 injuries.

Both Al Araby and Syria News also reported the involvement of Assad regime aircraft in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Male child of Ahmad Al Ghabbash
Child male killed
Mohammad Khaled Al A’wad
8 years years old male killed
Daughter of Abd Al Haleem Shbeib
Age unknown female killed
Yahiya al Dalati
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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

RS098

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1923129, 37.1477151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During a wave of Russian or Assad regime strikes near Aleppo, up to 25 civilians were reported killed – 17 of them said to be children – at Al Kalassa. Some reports placed the strike at Wadi al Arayes, though casualty reports make clear these are the same event.

According to Shaam News, “Another 15 civilians, including children, and dozens injured, in addition to the destruction of more than 10 houses in a raid on the Russian Aviation on Al Kalassah neighborhood.”

Radio Alkul reported that “field hospitals in Aleppo are calling for blood donations after the arrival of dozens of wounded following the Russian strike.”

The attack was described by some as the first by Russia on Aleppo itself. As Enabaladi noted, “There were conflicting reports about the origin of the missile which targeted the neighborhood. Locals assumed it is Russian as this is the first time they see this level of destruction, with five buildings completely destroyed.” However Aleppo Media Centre – while attributing other strikes in the vicinity that day to Russia – insisted the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Wardeh Tinno
9 years years old female killed
Ali Tinno
7 years years old male killed
Mohammad Tinno
Child male baby killed
Ammoun Tinno
50 years years old male killed
Baddour Tinno
9 years years old female killed

Family members (2)

Janna Yasseen
5 years years old female killed
Sadra Yasseen
8 years years old female killed

Family members (3)

Ali Hassan Abd Al Qader
10 years years old male killed
Badriyah Hassan Abd Al Qader
12 years years old female killed
Mohammad Hassan Abd Al Qader
7 years years old male killed

Family members (3)

Ridah Ziyad Assi
9 years years old male killed
Mohammad Assi
11 years years old male killed
Mohammed Yahya al Assi
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Aisha Abbass
35 years years old female killed
Mahmoud Abbas
22 years years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Waleed Habboush
3 years years old male killed
Hussein Samer al Hassan
3 years years old male killed
Hajer Ahmad Ameen
5 years years old female killed
Siham Jirban
9 years years old female killed
Unknown child from Al Idilbi family
Child male
Unknown, 70 years old
Age unknown killed
five unnamed members of Al Nahlawi family
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 26
  • (18 children3 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Title: Shaam, Aleppo Al Kalassa neighbourhood, the search for victims after a massacre committted by Russian planes. Harrowing scenes. 30/10/2015 (via SNN)
  • Title: Shaam, Aleppo, Al Kalassa neighbourhood. The search for victims under the rubble following a raid by warplanes. (via SNN)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • Title: Shaam, Aleppo, Al Kalassa neighbourhood. The search for victims under the rubble following a raid by warplanes. (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 26
  • (18 children3 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]