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

RS306

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81374, 36.60964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, Mahmoud Sonae also known as Abo Mehyo of Ariha, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Mr Sonae was caught in a major airstrike on Idlib on December 20th, and appears to have died of his injuries three days later.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image provided by the VDC possibly of the burial of Mahmoud Sonae. (via, VDC)
  • Another image provided by the VDC. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS338

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.482582, 37.19593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One possible civilian was reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mare’ in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian planes carried out raids on various areas, in particular the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at, Izaz, Mangh and Deir Jamal, leading to the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

According to the White Helmets, there were three raids by “warplanes” (they did not state who they belonged to) on Mare’, resulting in deaths and injuries, although precise casualty figures were not given.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several airstrikes on areas in the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at and Mangh, leading to the death of at least one person in Mare’ and injury of several others, in addition to damage  of civilian property.

One victim Alae Abdel Al Khateeb was named by the Violations Documentation Center (pictured above). However, an image of Mr al Khateeb carrying a gun (below) – and an image of his body held by a person in military fatigues – suggest he may have been linked to rebels in Mare’.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the destruction in the aftermath of the contested raids. (via, abo al Majd)
  • Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed in a contested airstrike. Photograph shows him posing with a weapon, looks like a militant but extensive research shows no other signs of militancy. (via, Nazir al Hafz)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed on 2nd January 2016. (via, Homs Media Network Facebook)
  • Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed on 2nd January 2016. (via, Mare’ the city of Martyrs)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo 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.“

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 man)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS370

Incident date

January 12, 2016

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

One unidentified adult female was listed by the Violations Documentation Centre as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “violent clashes are still taking place on the outskirts of al-Qaryatayn city and in the vicinity of the al-Doweh area west of Palmyra in the eastern countryside of Homs, between regime forces backed by gunmen loyal to them against Islamic State’“, and that this coincided with “about 20 raids by warplanes believed to be Russian which targeted the area of the clash, and other areas in al-Qaryatayn city and al-Doweh area.” It did not give any information on casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS402

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

تمورة, Tamoura, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.26389, 36.88847 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tamoura, according to  the Shaam News Network.

SNN reported that 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes on the cities and towns of the northern countryside of Aleppo since Saturday morning: four in Ma’arsta al-Khan, two in Hayyan, two in Tel Rifa’at and two in Tamoura, in addition to dozens wounded.

Halab Today TV reported the death of “Abdul Razak Ibrahim Barakat and his brother” and the injury of others in alleged Russian strikes.

Syrian Journalism Centre also named Abdul Razak and his brother: “Russian warplanes targeted a town near Tamorah near Anadan with vacuum rockets, which led to widespread destruction in residential buildings, and the death of Abdul Razak Ibrahim Barakat and his brother and injuring others”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

  • Abd al Razzak Barakat Adult male "a victim of warplane shelling"
  • brother of Abd al Razzak Barakat Age unknown male
  • Name unknown Age unknown

Summary

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

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo 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.“

Summary

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

RS434

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

احرص, Ahras, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.401129, 37.14446 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including two women and three children were killed and at least eight injured in an airstrike on Ihress, according to local sources. All sources blamed Russian forces for the attack, though an initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights said Assad regime warplanes were responsible.

The Shaam News Network reported that “a new appalling massacre” was committed by Russian aircraft on northern Aleppo when several missiles targeting civilian cars were launched on the road to Ihress.

Activists told SNN that there were “a number of dead and wounded, mostly women and children“. They added that Russian warplanes also launched dozens of airstrikes on “rebel positions on the demarcation lines with the organisation of the state and units of the People’s protection in Maalikis and Alaalghemah.”

According to Al Souria.net, five non-combatants, including a woman and two children, died in a Russian strike.

Al Buraq Media said that a Russian raid had hit the road between Kafr Naseh and Ihress, resulting in several deaths.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially reported that at least six non-combatants, including three children and two women, died when regime warplanes fired missiles on Ihress.

However, a subsequent report by SN4HR said that alleged Russian warplanes were responsible, shelling the road between the towns of Ihress and Kafr Naseh, in the northern Aleppo suburbs, which are under control of the armed opposition. They put the death toll at six, including three children and two women, with more than eight injured.

Six victims (including two women and three children) were named by the Violations Documentation Centre as having died in Russian shelling.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Family members (3)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Haloum al-Khateeb, killed on 21st January 2016 by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Montaser Mohammad al-Khateeb, killed on 21st January 2016 by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mostafa Mohammad al-Khateeb killed on 21st January 2016 by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

No Russian reports were published for January 21st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS468

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Shaheil, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman and her child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of al Shaheil, according to reports.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a child,  died with his mother when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the town.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

  • Damea Thamer Al Saleh Child male named by Syrian Network for Human Rights killed
  • Hind Mohammad Abboud Adult female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child Damea Thamer Al Saleh died with his mother in an alleged Russian raid on Shaheil, January 27th 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • A photo from the other side of the Euphrates river showing the alleged Russian strike that targeted the town of Al Shaheel. (via, Deir Ezzor is being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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...Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS500

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.43304, 37.5671053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 14 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein.

In a news roundup the Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out dozens of strikes on the towns of Al Bab, Manbej, Jarablus and the town of Qabaseen causing the fall of dozens of dead and wounded in al Bab and Qabaseen.

Ara News placed the casualty toll far higher than the Syrian Network’s estimate of four dead, citing media activist Nasser Tlajabina of Aleppo: “The bombing of residential buildings near Rehaoui Mosque and Jabal al-Sheikh Aqeel in town of Qabasin in the countryside killed at least 14 civilians, including four children and a number of women, and injured around 50.”

VDC has named four adult male civilian victims at Qabasein that day – though attributes their deaths to ‘air force shelling’.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 14
  • (0–1 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.”

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
  • (0–1 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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

RS536

Incident date

February 3, 2016

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

As many as 11 civilians were killed and 30 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported that nine civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in a bombardment by Russian warplanes. It said there were several raids, mainly focused on the Al Wadi road.

The Coordinating Committee of the City of Palmyra listed ten victims allegedly killed by Russia, and said nearly 30 were wounded, five critically.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes believed to be Russian” killed at least seven. It said there was information about two other children among many injured people, and added that the death toll was expected to rise due to the severity of injuries and because some people were still missing under the rubble.

Three unidentified victims were listed by The Coordinating Committee of the city of Palmyra in addition to the victims below as:

Two unidentified martyrs [male]

An unidentified child

The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies identified a total of 11 victims killed in Palmyra, including Al Jabara, Al Tharaya (listed by the coordinated committee) and nine additional unitentified “martyrs” killed on al Wadi road. The Center cited “indiscriminate” Russian attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

  • Unidentified from Al Qadi family Adult female killed
  • Unidentified from Al Qadi family Adult female killed
  • Unidentified from Al Qadi family female killed
  • Unidentified from Al Qadi family Adult female killed
  • Khaled Jouma’an Al Jabara Adult male killed
  • Hatem Awad Al Mahmoud Al Tharaya Adult male killed
  • Nayef Hamdan Al Hadidi Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged raid with cluster bombs on Palmyra, Feb 3rd (via Coordinating Committee for the city of Palmyra)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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]