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

RS1314

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that five civilians were killed, and four injured, in an airstrike on the al Salheen neighbourhood of Aleppo. While most sources blamed Russia some reports said that the regime also carried out strikes in al Salheen on this day.

A tweet from @AleppoAMC included graphic photographs of three wounded children and a wounded man, with the caption “wounded in aerial bombing, which targeted al Salheen in Aleppo on Friday [Sept 23rd].”

@Sy_Reporter said five martyrs were killed in al Salheen. Islammemo, Almustaqbal, the Shaam News Network and HNN also corroborated that number. @Sy_Reporter blamed Russia, as did Orient News, and HNN. HNN identified the name of one of the victims.

Zamanalwasl did not distinguish between regime and Russian forces, saying both struck neighbourhoods across Aleppo on Friday.

One source alleged that the planes used machine guns in the neighbourhood, as well as bombs. @RFS_NORTH said civilian homes were on fire after the neighbourhood was hit by bombs and strafed with “heavy machine guns.”

According to @shahed_alep, the munitions used were cluster bombs.

A video posted by Qasioun News to YouTube showed a father grieving over his dead son.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Fakhouri
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A father is grieving over his dead son who reportedly was killed in airstrikes on Salheen, Aleppo (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Several civilians were heavily injured by the airstrikes reportedly carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime on Salheen, Aleppo (via AleppoAMC)
  • Destruction following the airstrikes in Salheen (via Eldorar News)

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 September 1st – 30th 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 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1325

Incident date

September 23, 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

Between 10 and 15 civilians including at least one child died and 20 more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Kallassah neighbourhood, according to local media. Sources blamed both raids by Russian warplanes and Syrian regime helicopters, which reportedly caused widespread destruction and left people trapped under the rubble.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “fixed-wing warplanes believed to have been Russian struck residential homes in the vicinity of Al Kanej gas station in Al Kallasa neighbourhood, killing 10 individuals”.

@ShahbaPress Russai was among many sources blaming Russia; it added that the strikes led to the “collapse of three buildings”.

Many sources put the death toll at 15 with 20 more people injured.

It was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame for the casualties, with reports stating that both parties were active over the area. For example, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “Russian warplanes and regime helicopters carried out attacks in the neighborhoods of Kallaseh, Al-Qaterji, Bab al-Neirab, al-Ma’adi and al-Ferdus”.

According to Almajhar and All4Syria, “four fighter jets and three helicopters were flying in the atmosphere and bombarded the Aleppo neighborhoods of Salaheddin, al-Ansari, Al Mashhad zibdiye, Al Kalassa, Fardous, Al Ma’adi, Alqatrgi, Myaser, Alsakhur, Hulk, Shqayef and Hndarat”.

Similarly, it was unclear from a report by the Shaam News Network whether Russia or the regime caused the civilian harm.

Halab News, who blamed Russia, named four victims – including one child.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Omar Falah
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Falah
Age unknown male killed

The victims were named as:

Abd al Hai al Obeid
69 years old male killed
Fatima Termanini
Child died from wounds sustained in the event killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Local people at the site of mass destruction in Al Kallassah - the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, Sept 23rd (via @thiqanewsagency)
  • Footage of extensive material destruction in Al Kallassah, Aleppo. The White Helmet resuce team use diggers to move the rubble (Youtube via The White Helmets)
  • A civilian walks through the rubble in Al Kallassah following alleged Russian warplane shelling, Sept 23rd (via @ShahbaPress)
  • A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • A SN4HR report entitled - 'Aleppo neighborhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events in Al Sakhour (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • A SN4HR report entitled - 'Aleppo neighborhoods rupture by Russian and Syrian forces' details the events in Al Sakhour (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (1 child2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1315

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, one woman was killed in Russian raids on the Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood of Aleppo.

HNN’s list of martyrs included, “an unidentified woman, following Russian aggression raids on Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood, civilian.”

@RadioAlKul tweeted, “an apartment building in the neighbourhood of Bustan al Qasr was destroyed by Russian air raids today [Sept 23rd].”

Most other sources also attributed the strikes to Russia, e.g. “Russian warplanes launched raids on Bustan al Qasr,” according to @SmartNewsAgency. Almjhar News used similar language.

According to the BBC, the strikes lit wildfires in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1326

Incident date

September 23, 2016

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

Between six and 12 civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Bab city, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to who was responsible. There were allegations against Russia, the Syrian regime and one against the US-led Coalition. A number of sources noted that they had been unable to identify the warplanes that carried out the strikes.

The lowest death count was give as six civilians by Enabbaladi, who, like many other sources, noted that “dozens more” civilians were wounded. This sources blamed the Syrian regime, as did Radio Alkul and Aletihad Press. @24Aleppo also attributed the event to Assad, reporting that warplanes fired four vacuum missiles on the city.

However, the Smart News Agency – who put the death toll at 11 – was among a number of sources attributing the incident to Moscow.

One source, Ara News, pointed towards the US-led Coalition, and gave the highest death count of 22 civilians. It said that “fighter jets belonging to the international coalition targeted a number of residential sites in the city and killed 22 people, injuring dozens more”.

@albab_city noted “the martyrdom of one of the heroes of the civil defense in the city Al Bab”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Khaled Ahmed Al Naama
Adult male Member of The White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • Burnt out vehicles on a street in Al Bab, allegedly struck by Russian warplanes, Sept 23rd (via Aletihadpress)
  • Halab Today reports the death of 12 civilians following "air raids" on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Shahed Ayan reports that casualties resulting from the "air raids on al bab" had risen to 20. 23rd September 2016
  • Syrian Reporter reports 20 dead as a result of "air raids" on al Bab, including a member of the civil defence. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo 24 reports 12 dead and dozens under the rubble following alleged regime strikes on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Masar Press reports that 12 were killed and dozens injured as a result of warplane shelling on the city of al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • ElEtihad press reports raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Aleppo Media Centre reports ten killed including women and children in warplane shelling on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Step news reports 12 killed in air raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016
  • Radio Al Kul reports 12 killed 'most of them women and children' in alleged Regime raids on al Bab. 23rd September 2016

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition reported no strikes near Al Bab city for September 22nd, 23rd or 24th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1316

Incident date

September 23, 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

A Russian aircraft struck a White Helmets building in Aleppo’s al Ansari neighbourhood, killing eight people, according to local sources. The strike reportedly occurred in conjunction with other strikes on White Helmets buildings in Alhaidariya and Hanano, Alsouria News said.

The White Helmets posted a YouTube video showing the extent of the destruction. A large building was demolished, and at least two ambulances were rendered unusable. A tweet from @shaamnews also included photographs of the destroyed vehicles.

Most other sources gave little additional information, but also reported eight deaths. HNN’s list of martyrs had eight unidentified casualties listed for the incident, and the Shaam News Network’s update included the same.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The neighbourhood of Al Ansari was left in ruins following the alleged Russian airstrikes, Sept 23rd (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • The alleged Russian airstrikes in Al Ansari neighbourhood, Sept 23rd, reportedly destroyed main parts of the White Helmets building, including vital equipment (via Shaam News)
  • The alleged Russian airstrikes destroyed large parts of Al Ansari neighbourhood, Sept 23rd (via Thiqa News Agency)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1327

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الموحسن, Al Mohaissen, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians including two children died up to seven more were wounded in an airstrike on Al Mohaissen town, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

Among sources blaming Russia were the Shaam News Network, who put the death toll at five, “including children”. Emirates News joined a number of other sources that said four people died.

According to Syrianewdesk, “five civilians were killed, including two children, and seven others were wounded, this afternoon [Sept 23rd], as a result of Russian warplanes in carrying out four raids on a residential area at the entrance to the city of Muhassan”.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who put the death toll at three including two children, attributed the event to the regime.

Alyemen Today added that an unspecified number of ISIS members were killed in addition to five civilians.

LCCSY, who joined many sources in not identifying the culprit, named two child victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmed Salah Elesmeer
Child male killed
Rowan Salah Elesmeer
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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]

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 September 1st – 30th 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 – 5
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

RS1317

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Air raids on the al Sakhour neighbourhood of Aleppo killed up to two civilians, local media reported. It was unclear whether the attacks were carried out by the regime or by Russia.

Islammemo reported, “two martyrs in al Sakhour.” So did @Sy_Reporter and HNN.

Alaraby News stated that Russian fighters carried out the strike, along with multiple others over Aleppo.

Almjhar News claimed that four warplanes and three helicopters (used by the regime) were involved in actions, though the phrasing made unclear whether all seven aircraft were involved in the Al Sakhour strike.

@Lccsy said that the strikes caused destruction to residential buildings, as did @AleppoAMC (although @AleppoAMC said no civilians were hurt or killed).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes, Sept 23rd, in al-Sakhour that left parts of the area in complete ruins (via Aleppo AMC)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1328

Incident date

September 23, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 14 civilians including two or three children died and dozens more non-combatants were wounded in airstrikes on Al Rastan, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

According to LCCSY, “four civilians including two children were martyred after Russian planes raided residential homes in al Rastan with four vacuum missile raids”.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government warplanes”, putting the death toll at four including three children.

Al Jazeera also blamed the regime.

@ajamubasher tweeted a video (see below) showing “painful scenes summarising what happened today [September 23rd] in the Aleppo and Homs as a result of Russian and Syrian shelling”.

The highest death toll was give by @ZakariaNassani, who said that 14 civilians died following “10 raids on the homes of people” – though the source didn’t name the culprit.

@AraNewsArabic added that dozens were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 14
  • (2–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A little boy treated by medics in Al Rastan for injuries sustained in alleged warplane shelling, Sept 23rd (via @ajmubasher)
  • Smoke clouds rise above Al Rastan following suspected Russian or Regime raids, Sept 23rd (via @ZakariaNassani)

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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 14
  • (2–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]