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

RS275

Incident date

December 14, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrike on Maarat Al Numan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Both Shaam News Network and Almarra Today reported that the Russians were responsible for firing cluster bombs on the city, while the White Helmets posted a video showing its members sheltering from what was reportedly a third assault.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Razouk al-Barbash
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Laser Barbash
Adult male named by the VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Bassam al-Ghareeb “al-Teeti”
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Raja Keshto
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Abrar al-Kurdi
Child female named by the VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing cluster bombs on the ground following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Chaos in the aftermath of an airstrike. Cluster bombs are also shown in the footage. (via, Almarra Today)
  • White Helmets survey the area and put out fires in Ma’arat Al Nu’ma following an airstrike. (via, The 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 is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS606

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

حوش نصري, Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55803, 36.47058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several air raids. Activists told SNN that there was a “horrible massacre” which claimed the lives of five non-combatants in Hosh Nasri when civilians’ homes were hit with missiles.

The White Helmets also said that Russia was responsible and put the death toll at five with many more injured, adding that a huge fire broke out across homes and shops. They published disturbing videos depicting dead bodies and rescue attempts.

According to All4Syria, Russian jets conducted “several air strikes, killing five civilians, including a child, and injuring others“. They added that the number of deaths was likely to increase due to severity of injuries. Al Jisr TV also attributed the incident to Russia, putting the death toll at five.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes were responsible.

Five victims were named by the White Helmets.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouriy’i Makiya
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Atef Alloush
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Hamid Al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Abboud al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Faisal Othman
Child male Named by White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescue operations carried out by the civil defence after warplanes targeted Hosh Nasri. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Watch the civil defence team from Al Rihan centre tending to the wounded and pulling out the martyrs after a massacre carried out by air weapons in Hosh Nasri in Eastern Ghouta. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    What looks like the remains of a burned body. (via, The 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 makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3147

Incident date

March 3, 2018

Location

المحمدية, Al Muhammadiya , Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.4936, 36.27587 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were killed and others were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al Muhammadiya, according to local media. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian for the raids.

Barrel bombs, helicopters and artillery targeted a residential neighbourhood, according to local media.

According to local media, a child and three adult males, who were farmers, were included in the death toll. Those who were wounded were in a serious condition.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Badr al-Qaderi
Adult male killed
Ibraheem al-Qaderi
Adult male killed
Majed Adel al-Nabki
Adult male killed
Mohammed Zaidlani
Child killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child3 men)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of airstrikes on Al Muhammadiya , 3rd March 2018. (via @Dmcpress_ar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of airstrikes on Al Muhammadiya , 3rd March 2018. (via @Dmcpress_ar)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (1 child3 men)
  • 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

RS766

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians died and others were wounded in alleged airstrikes on Fardous, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

On Twitter, Syriam_m_m as well as Wesal_tv reported that five people died and many were wounded “in Russian shelling on Al-Fardus neighbourhood, Aleppo.” Similar information was reported by Shaam News Network which said that Russian airstrikes killed five civilians and wounded a number of others. Jisr_tv published a video in which it blamed Russia for the “massacre”. The SRG also said Russia was responsible.

Other sources were unclear about who was responsible for the airstrikes. A further news brief by SNN referred to strikes by regime and Russian planes and did not differentiate between the two. The White Helmets reported that “warplanes” targeted neighborhoods in Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights too reported that Fardous was bombarded but did not say by whom. In a tweet, Syria_24 reported an incident in Karm-Al-Beik neighbourhood and spoke of four people allegedly killed, yet it did not say who carried out the raids.

Furthermore, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at four.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Zakarria_Nassani Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)
  • Children in the aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting civilian areas in Fardous, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Children among the destructions caused by the strikes in Fardous, Aleppo (via Wesal_TV Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Baladi News Network)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from Fardous (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)

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.

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
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS863

Incident date

June 6, 2016

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

Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike or artillery shelling at Al Kalassa, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo” in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing”. It put the death toll in Al Kalassa at five civilians.

In a video posted by SNN the reporter talks about helicopters and warplanes but also mentions barrel bombs.

However, Eldorar blamed the regime, reporting the death of five non-combatants when residential buildings were struck.

Al Jazeera said that regime artillery killed five members of one family, including a child.

It was unclear from reports by Alamawi and SMO Syria who was responsible, as they referred to both Russian and regime shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A reporter mentions both helicopters and warplanes in Al Kalassa neighbourhood. An amublance arrives at the scene. (Youtube by SNN)
  • "53 people were killed in Aleppo [neighbourhoods] yesterday due to extensive shelling by Russian and regime" (Tweet by @ALAMAWI)

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
    5
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1024

Incident date

July 21, 2016

Location

الطيبة‎, Al Tiba (Al Taibah), Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that five civilians died – a woman and her four children – in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Tiba village, Homs.

Although there were only two sources reporting this incident on July 21st 2016, they are both credible.

LCCSY reported “‪#‎Homs‬ a woman and her four children were martyred due to Russian airstrikes on ‪#‎Tiba‬ village in the eastern suburbs.”

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed these deaths, reported no injures, but interestingly blamed both Russian and Assad regime warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

CS1687 RS2771

Incident date

November 30, 2017

Location

درنج, Daranj, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.91443, 40.5851 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Within 100m (via Coalition) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died, and 14 were wounded in an airstrike on Daranj, local media said, though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of the US-led Coalition or Russia.

In January 2019 the Coalition accepted responsibility for the event, noting: “Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.”

Al Sharq News reported the death of five civilians in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Daranj. The victims were identified by name.

Syria News Desk noted clashes in the area, reporting that SDF militias announced their control over the town of Daranj in the eastern suburb of Deir ez Zawr after heavy fighting with Daesh.

Asharq Al Souri network, Step News Agency Al Jisr TV all blamed the Coalition.

However, according to Al Haal, this was the work of Russia. It said that four civilians including one woman died and that 14 others – mostly women and children – were wounded.

The Coalition provided Airwars with the location of this incident, accurate to within a 100 metre box.

The incident was first reported on November 30, 2017 at 9:30 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hussein Obaid Al Issa
Adult male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Yusuf Hussein Obaid Al Issa
Child male via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

The victims were named as:

Bashar Al Saher
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al Obeid Al Issa
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed
Maher Fawaz Al Rafie
Age unknown via ‏@Al_sharqnews killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the moment of the airstrike by alleged coalition on Daranj, Deir Ez-Zor on November 30, 2017 (via Salamah AL hussein tweet)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Daranj (درنج), for which the coordinates are: 34.918333, 40.581389 Prior to the Coalition releasing the MGRS for this incident, Airwars had geolocated it to the nearest village at 34.57888, 40.93441

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Credible / Substantiated
    The investigation assessed that although all feasible precautions were taken and the decision to strike complied with the law of armed conflict, unintended civilian casualties regrettably occurred.
  • Given reason for civilian harm
    No reason given
    Airwars’ assessment of belligerent’s civilian casualty statement
  • Initial Airwars grading
    Confirmed
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    5
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    14
  • Stated location
    near Darnaj, Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    100 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU448647
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 31, 2019

  • Nov. 30, 2017 near Darnaj, Syria via self-report. Coalition aircraft engaged ISIS fighters operating a mortar position firing at Coalition partner forces. Regrettably, while the ISIS mortar team was destroyed, one of the munitions struck near a residential area injuring 14 civilians and five civilians were unintentionally killed.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 29th-30th, the Coalition reported: “Near Abu Kamal, three strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed a tactical vehicle, two ISIS watercraft, a heavy weapon, five ISIS vehicles and four supply routes.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child1 woman2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Known attacker
    US-led Coalition
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1659

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Location

حرستا, Harasta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55869, 36.36515 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as five civilians were reportedly killed – including up to three children – in alleged artillery and airstrikes “from the surrounding mountains” which struck Harasta. Both women and children were reportedly among the “dozens wounded” in the raid.

Some sources such as LCCSY have blamed Russian warplanes the for alleged bombing, however other sources  blamed the Syrian regime. Sada4press reported that the shelling came from “armed groups”, thereby not specifying a particular belligerent.

According to Breakingnews, there were as many as 25 rockets launched in the vicinity. Other sources, however, reported that thermobaric missiles were also used in the raid. 

Sources were conflicted as to the number of civilians killed in the incident. AljasemCom posted an image of a young boy who was allegedly killed in the raid. 

Mohamad.alshaar.harasta named one victim.

LCCSY named two different names as did the Syrian Network for Human Rights. Additionally, another source reported that there were four casualties from the event which is the highest toll reported. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Faroun
Age unknown male nicknamed Abu Muhammad Harb killed
Shahd
Child female killed
Sondos Deyab
Child female killed
Marwa Sheikh Hasana
Age unknown killed
Suleiman Arabi
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed in alleged Russian and or Syrian regime airstrikes on 21st November 2016. (via AljasemCom)
  • An ambulance which was caught in the missile strike of an alleged Russian and or Syrian regime airstrikes on 21st November 2016. (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 reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

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
  • (2–3 children1 woman)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]