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
Country
Syria
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Incident Code

RS258

Incident date

December 11, 2015

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

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fardous, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

No additional details are presently known.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Mohammad Dabbag
Adult male One victim was ages 55 and the other 56. It is unclear as to which victim was what age. Named by VDC. killed
Waleed Masri
Adult male One victim was ages 55 and the other 56. It is unclear as to which victim was what age. Named by VDC. killed

Summary

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

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 is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS291

Incident date

December 19, 2015

Location

العثمانية, Al Othmaniya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.87819, 36.97206 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 50-year old woman named as Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Othmaniya.

The VDC reported that Mrs al Shadadi originally came from Zimar village, and died “due to Russian air forces shelling on Othmaniye town.“ The local Jisr TV station blamed her death and several injuries on “airstrikes with cluster bombs.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

 Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi
50 years old female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news report commenting on the incident. (via, Al Jisr Satellite)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS323

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Palmyra, according to the Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Center.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 10 raids targeting the city hospital, resulting in significant damage to buildings and equipment.

They added that 10 other raids were launched on the cultural center and that large fires broke out in the orchards surrounding the city in 30 additional raids with cluster bombs.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a young man died in raids on parts of the city but did not state who the planes belonged to.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdulrazzaq al-Saoud
Adult male killed
Naeim al-Assad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS355

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.864249, 36.804977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib, according to the Shaam News Network.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Maher Hmateesh
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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 (4) [ 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 report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS387

Incident date

January 13, 2016

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.01982, 40.45154 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her two daughters died when “suspected Russian warplanes” launched missiles in Al Mayadeen, according to multiple sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

The wife of Abdul Motei al-Muhsen al-Mukhtar
Adult female killed
Khulood Abdul Motei al-Muhsen al-Mukhtar
Child female killed
2nd daughter of Abdul Motei al-Muhsen al-Mukhtar
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin documenting the alleged Russian raid on Al Mayadeen, 13th January 2016. (via, Al Jisir TV)
  • Khulood Abdul Motei al-Muhsen al-Mukhtar, killed by an alleged Russian raid on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS419

Incident date

January 19, 2016

Location

البوليل, Al Bulial Rouwaida neighbourhood, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 20 civilians including two children were killed, and more than 25 others injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the Rouwaida neighbourhood in Al Buliyal, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights put the death toll at seven including two children, killed by shelling from “alleged Russian warplanes“.

Al Jazeera reported sources that said there were dead and wounded as a result of a Russian strike on Al Buliyal.

The report referenced a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, “who said the strikes killed more than 60 ‘terrorists’ in Deir al-Zour, adding that the Russian air force dropped by parachute food and other shipments in the city of Deir ez-Zor beleaguered areas besieged by DAESH“.

The Shaam News Network also reported that Russia was responsible: “Activists said the Russian Aviation committed a horrible massacre today against dozens of civilians in the village of Albulayl in the eastern province of Deir el Zour, after several strikes with cluster bombs targeted the houses in the ALBUHLAL neighbourhood of the town centre Albohilal“.

Al A’an TV attributed the incident to Russia and said that “about 18” non-combatants died.

But Al Jazira put the death toll as high as 20, including children and also blamed Russia.

They added that Russia had allegedly dropped cluster bombs on residential buildings an “a mosque in Albouhilal and Alajabilh neighbourhoods in the village of Albulial.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour
Adult male killed
Hsain Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Hannoush Aafat
named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Ahmed Alhnoh Aafat
named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured

Family members (4)

Rashid al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Ahmed al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Hassan al-Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Rushdie Hayes
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured

The victims were named as:

Son of Abo Mohammad al-Asaf
Child male killed
Unidentified 1
Adult male killed
Unidentified 2
Adult male killed
Unidentified 3
Adult male killed
Ghassan Mohammad Hmoud al-Affat
Adult male killed
Mezel al-Shaman
Adult male killed
Mhaidi Saleh al-Hasan al-Shuhaili
Adult male killed
daughter of Ahmad Saleh al-Mahal
Child female killed
Khalil Aljadou’a
Age unknown named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Daughter of  Ahmed elMahal.
Child female named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Osman Hassan
Age unknown male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Dangerous injuries‘ injured
Khalil Aljadou’a
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Mohammed Hassan
Child male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Son of Ali Hassan
Child male named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Hamid Hussein
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
"Children" of Eid alJalloud
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured
Mohamed Salah Khalif
Child named by Free Syria TV as having ‘Medium injuries’ injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 19th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hsain Ibraheem Mhaimed al-Mansour, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 19th January 2016. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Deir ez-Zor governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.” It added: “Near al-Baghiliyah (Deir ez-Zor province), where the ISIS militants performed a massive execution of about 300 civilians in order to frighten citizens a day ago, a Russian Su-34 bomber made a strike on terrorists’ strong points. Direct hits caused elimination of 3 heavy vehicles with ZU-23 systems, 2 off-roaders with heavy weapons and more than 60 terrorists.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 20
  • (2 children8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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

RS453

Incident date

January 23, 2016

Location

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.383201, 37.565723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilian children and one woman were killed in an airstrike on Baza’a, according to local sources – though one report says that they were killed by the regime.

The Shaam News Network published a news roundup in which they said that “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on Al Bab, the town of Baza’aa, the village of Qasr al Buraij, and a farm near the town of Kabassin, which led to the fall of many martyrs and the wounded.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least three non-combatants (all children) died when “suspected” Russian warplanes fired missiles on the town of Baza’a.

Al Jisr TV reported that a woman and her four children died in a Russian strike.

According to Eye on the City Albab, the daughter of Ibrahim al-Mohammad alSweid and her four children were killed, and others injured, in an airstrike, though the source did not say who carried it out.

However, the Violations Documentation Centre named four victims as killed by regime shelling.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Daughter of Ibraheem al-Mohammad al-Swaid
Adult female killed
Grandson of Ibraheem al-Mohammad al-Swaid 1
Child male killed
Grandson of Ibraheem al-Mohammad al-Swaid 2
Child male killed
Grandson of Ibraheem al-Mohammad al-Swaid 3
Child male killed
Another child of mother
Child according to Eye on the City Albab, four children were killed killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3–4 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • An image documenting the aftermath of the alleged airstrike by Russian and Syrian Regime forces. (via, Al Jisir TV)

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 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

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
  • (3–4 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS485

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, The Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Manbij.

The Network said this was part of a series of raids which included Al Bab, the villages of Berlhan and Trahil, and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted.

 

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]