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

RS734

Incident date

March 13, 2016

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 one child was killed in Douma according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was a Russian airstrike or the result of regime artillery.

Shaam News, reported: “Russian planes carried out raids on Douma neighbourhoods which was preceeded by artillery shelling. One civilian was killed and others were injured and that was in clear breach of the truce.”

But Step News Agency blamed the regime, reporting that “Regime forces stationed in the eastern Ghouta overlooking the mountains aimed at the road between Misraba and Douma which killed two people”. News_Ajil also blamed the regime, as did Dr-khaled6.

According to Hani Al-Sulyman, regime artillery killed the child Yousef Qadeesh.

SMO also published a video which showed six-year-old Nour Al-deen in hospital after losing his legs following a strike by an alleged Russian missile which hit his house while he was playing. The child’s father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his son’s shoes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour al-Deen
6 years old male injured

Summary

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

  • Video shows Nour al-Deen, 6 years old, in hospital after losing his legs to an alleged Russian missile targeting his house. His father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his shoes.(via SMO Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

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

RS799

Incident date

May 15, 2016

Location

السحل, Al Sahal, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.87441, 38.63985 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raqqa News 24/24 reported that a “Russian warplane” targeted the home of one of the residents of the village at 02.30am, leading to the man’s immediate death. It also said that the planes targeted the water pump east of Al Mansoura, causing material damage. Muslim Forum also reported the death of the man and said others were wounded.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently referred only to “warplanes” and did not identify them. However, it said there had been four strikes which led to the death of the young man Z’eitar Mohammad Al Hussein al Ali.

The VDC also named this victim as killed in “warplane shelling”.

Alwatan news (pro-regime source) said the Coalition was responsible for the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Z’eitar Mohammad Al Hussein al Ali.
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS832

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

التمانعة, At Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to one local source, LCCSY, one woman was killed and three other non-combatants wounded in several alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Al Tamani’ah. However, Smart News blamed “regime warplanes” for a woman’s death and the injury of “a number of other civilians”.

Qasioun also reported the incident but did not identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS864

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians died in an airstrike on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “suspected Russian warplanes” killed four civilians when they fired missiles on the neighborhood.

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 Marja at four civilians – though they did not say whether the regime or Russia were responsible.

The White Helmets published footage showing the aftermath of several raids on Aleppo – “the last of them in the al Marja neighboorhood” – which it said killed four civilians and injured many more, including women and children. It added that their team had managed to pull two bodies form the rubble, but did not say who carried out the attack.

However, Eldorar, Klmty and Tweets Palestine blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "several raids target the city of Aleppo the last of them in al Marja neighbourhood where 4 people were killed and many injured including women and children. The civil defence team has managed to pull out two bodies from under the rubble" (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • Search for people under the rubble at Marja, Aleppo (Tweet by @shbabRevolution)
  • "4 civilians died in aerial shelling from regime warplanes on Al-Marjeh today" (Tweet by @TweetsPalestine)
  • A reporter speaks about the presence of helicopters and warplanes - he also mentions barrel bombs. (Video via SNN Facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS896

Incident date

June 12, 2016

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

A mother and four or more of her children were among those killed in an airstrike on Maarat al Numan, local media reported – the majority of sources blamed the Syrian regime for the attack, though some sources attributed the event to Russia.

The Shaam News Network blamed Moscow, reporting: “The city of Maarat al Numan was exposed to an aerial bombardment from warplanes firing several missiles at a residential area in Al Masri mosque street. Activists said the shelling caused the destruction of several houses over the heads of their inhabitants. Civil defense teams worked to lift the rubble. The  searches exposed a terrible massacre against a whole family in which a mother was killed with her four children – in addition to two other martyrs. The civil defence managed to pull out a woman and several children alive from under the rubble and moved them to field hospitals.”

Other sources reported that “the Egyptian mosque” in Maarat al numan was struck.

According to the Syrian Human Rights Committee, “Civil defense teams spent three hours removing a girl from the rubble”. Other sources published images showing civilians being rescued in the aftermath of the event.

However, LCCSY, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Baladi were among sources blaming regime warplanes.

According to SO4HR, seven died, including the woman and her five children.

Baladi put the number of children killed at five, with SN4HR said that six died.

@salqin tweeted that there had been “more than 50 martyrs and 100 wounded, most of them children and women, in bombings by the Russian Aviation in downtown Idlib city market and Maarat al Numan.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • (4–6 children1 woman)
  • 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 (66) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of children from the same family, killed in an airstrike on Maarat al numan, Idlib, June 12th (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "recovering a baby wounded from under the rubble of government warplanes missiles fired on Ma'aret Al Numan city in Idlib governorate, causing a massacre, June 12" (via SN4HR Facebook) [Link now unavailable acessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "a father lost his wife and his 5 children in regime warplanes missiles fired on Ma'ret An-Nu'man city in Idlib governorate June 12" (via SN4HR Facebook) [Link unavailable accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Footage of destruction at Maarat al Numan (Youtube by SMN)
  • The massacre at Maarat al Numan (Youtube by almarra today)

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
    6 – 8
  • (4–6 children1 woman)
  • 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 (66) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS929

Incident date

June 23, 2016

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1995518, 37.1815538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four to six civilians from one family, including women and children, died following air strikes on the Qaterji neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

A number of sources alleged the regime responsible, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Halab Today TV alleged “Assad’s planes and it’s allies” were responsible, while the Shaam News Network referred to “Russian and Assad’s planes”, alleging they operated jointly.

However, the majority of reports attributed the event to Russia.

The civil defence team, the White Helmets, did not apportion blame, reporting that four civilians were killed and many injured. The team “managed to pull out a family still alive from under the rubble” and continued to search for survivors. In a subsequent video report by the White Helmets, seven non-combatants were documented injured.

“Lion war” put the death toll at four, while @zakarianassani suspected that eight were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Here in Aleppo, I know the paradise and blood shedding the sign of the bombing of Russian occupation aircraft, which has no mercy, neither human nor stone" (Tweet by @shbabRevolution)

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
    4 – 6
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS962

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that up to four civilians died and several more were injured in an airstrike on Deir Ezzor – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame. According to one source, Al Jisrtv, ISIS mortars also hit the governorate on this day.

The Syrian News Network reported  that “Russian warplanes launched intense raids on the neighbourhoods of al Rashdiya, Al Sina’a, al Ummal, Huweija and Sakr inDeir ez-Zor which led to one person being killed and left others wounded”.

al-AMAWI reported up to four people killed.

Justice for Life (JFL) tweeted that among the killed was one child.

The Syrian News Network pointed to Russia as the culprit, while Baladi News and the twitter accounts JFL NGO and Syriafree339 blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ 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 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
    1 – 4
  • (0–1 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (9) [ collapse]