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

RS012

Incident date

October 2, 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

According to the Syrian Observatory, “Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes on several places at the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan in the eastern countryside of Idlib, and we have information about injuries to several people, including paramedics from the civil defence.”

While no other sources reported the attack, the Russian MoD has confirmed strikes in the near vicinity.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the Russian strike near the town of al-Ghadqa in the countryside of Maarat al Numan. (via Russian Defence)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin noted that for October 2nd 2015, “At Maarrat Al-Nuuman (Idlib), Su-25 attack aircraft completely destroyed a large workshop aimed for production of bombs and improvised explosive devices and disguised as a plant for gas cylinders.Terrorist base for armament and military equipment was also eliminated. As a result of an air strike, over ten pieces of military hardware including infantry fighting vehicles were burnt down.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS044

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports.

Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Syrian regime aircraft.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult male killed in Teir Maala killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Faraj Al Naji, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Talbisah, 15th October 2015. (via: VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Talbisah (تلبيسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.840505, 36.72922. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS077

Incident date

October 25, 2015

Location

الشيخ بركة, Sheikh Barakeh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.559369, 36.979087 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, “suspected Russian warplanes attacked the village of al-Sheikh Barakah in the township of Sinjar in the eastern countryside of Idlib, killing a woman and [her] two children while other civilians were seriously wounded.” A third child died a fews days later of her injuries.

The centre of the village was targeted in the incident, resulting in widespread destruction. Up to 20 civilians were also reported injured. The Syrian Network later cited an eyewitness: “I was 3km away from the shelling incident. At 8pm on Sunday night, a Russian warplane launched a vacuum missile on the eastern neighborhood. I saw a warplane from a very high altitude and it launched a rocket without even flying at lower altitudes to reach the target. When it launched the rocket the sky was lit from the severity of the explosion. The neighborhood, which is free of any military headquarters, was shelled, and shops and houses around 500 meters were damaged, and a woman, her son and another child were killed. Five minutes later the warplane performed another raid 250 meters away from the first shelling location with a vacuum missile also. There, at least 7 shops were damaged. I do not know why they are shelling civilians.”

 

The incident occured at 20:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Sanae Walid A Mhaimeed
Child female Died of her injuries October 27th killed
Kamel Mhammad al-Mhaimeed
Child female killed
Sajed Waleed al-Mhaimeed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Fatme Khaled al-Hawyan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • GRAPHIC Child victim of an alleged Russian airstrike at (via Jaish Al-Fateh)
  • image of a child killed in the strike (via Jaish Al-Fateh)
  • image of a child killed in the strike (via Jaish Al-Fateh)
  • image of a child killed in the strike (via Jaish Al-Fateh)
  • image of a child killed in the strike (via Adnan Abu Mahmooh facebook page)
  • image of a child killed in the strike (via Adnan Abu Mahmooh facebook page)
  • translation: the death of three martyrs with God’s will and nearly 20 wounded in the village of Al Sheikh Baraka in the eastern countryside - Russian plane raids.
  • Translation: Opposition sources: Dead and injured in Russian strikes on the village of Sheikh Baraka in Idlib countryside
  • Translation: Idlib countryside: the martyrdom of two children and a woman and the wounding of 20 others following Russian plane bombardement of the Sheikh Baraka area near Ma’arat Al No’man.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Sheikh Barakeh (الشيخ بركة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.559369, 36.979087. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

The Russian Defence Ministry has confirmed carrying out airstrikes at Idlib on October 25th-26th 2015. “In the course of the last 24 hours, the Russian air group carried out 59 sorties engaging 94 terrorist objects in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS110

Incident date

November 1, 2015

Location

أم صحريج, Um Sirij, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.32051, 37.34214 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to five children and their mother were reported killed and four more people injured along with up to three civilian adults, after an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Umm Sirij.

Shaam News cited local civil defence as saying that a home had been razed in the attack, with other houses damaged. And Smart News reported that “Russian warplanes launched a missile strike on the village, which killed five people, including two children, and four wounded, including children, they were transported by the civil defense to the field hospital nearby.”

The Syrian Network later claimed that “On 1 November 2015, alleged Russian warplanes shelled Um Sahareej town in Hama suburbs under ISIL’s control, which killed 6 individuals from one family (a woman and 5 children).

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of alleged Russian strike on November 1st 2015, which reportedly killed two children (via SNN)

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 October 31st-November 2nd 2015, the Kremlin has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate: “Near Kafr Nabudah settlement (Hama province), a Su-25 attack aircraft performed a strike against militants’ fortified area with two armored vehicles and two off-road automobile vehicles equipped with ZU-23 AA systems. Direct hit of an air bomb caused destruction of an ammunition depot. As a result of detonation, armored and off-road vehicles burnt down.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2–5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS145

Incident date

November 13, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Centre reported that one adult male was killed as a result of alleged shelling by Russian warplanes.

Mr al Rajab’s status is contested, with some reports claiming he was an opposition fighter. The pro-regime site Hama News Network said he was a field commander with the FSA, for example.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Abdullah al-Rajab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Abdullah al-Rajab
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Abdullah al-Rajab

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (0–1 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS178

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Location

مرعيان, Mareian, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.74032, 36.56406 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children were among up to five civilians reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mareian, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The Network stated that two rockets fell on the town and that two houses were completely destroyed. Jisr TV placed the death toll at five, blaming the attack on Russian missiles fired from Lattakia.

Smart News interviewed an unnamed resident shortly after the attack, who stated: “Since this morning the regime, or Russia and the Assad regime, started targeting various villages in al-Zawiya mountain and according to residents they were ballistic missiles. Whether fired from boats or by planes we don’t know. In our village, two missiles fell which led to the complete destruction of three houses and caused a number of martyrs and injured. Everyone watched the missile flying 200 meters overhead before it fell.

The VDC has named the victims.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Child female Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The Syrian Network for Human Rights gathered fragments from missiles allegedly fired by alleged Russian warplanes on Mareian, November 20th (via SNHR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “On November 20, the ships of the Caspian flotilla performed launches of 18 cruise missiles against 7 targets in the Raqqah, Idlib and Aleppo provinces. All the aims were hit.” It added that “29 aircraft of long-range and bomber aviation made strikes from the zone of the Caspian Sea,” though gave no details of the areas targeted.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS210

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.21252, 36.76978 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network and Aljazeera Mubashner reported that civilian relief trucks were allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in the town of Al Dana. No deaths or injuries were initially reported.

Aljazeera Mubashner’s footage is entitled: ‘Aftermath of Russian bombing after they targeted relief trucks in Al Dana in Idlib.’ An interviewed man says the targeted vehicles were relief trucks carrying food for civilians. He points to a pile of boxes saying they had contained bananas, foodstuff and relief items, and claiming there were no militants present.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

  • Photos showing trucks struck by alleged Russian planes in the town of Al Dana in Idlib. (via SNN)
  • Trucks allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in Al Dana, November 29th (via SNN)
  • The effects of the Russian bombardment on relief trucks in the town of Dana in the countryside of Idlib. (via Aljazeera Mubasher)
  • Blazing fires in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raid which targeted a residential neighbourhood. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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

RS243

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to 13 civilians including three women and three children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network said Russian forces were responsible and had pounded the city at midnight. It reported that dozens of wounded non-combatants were recovered from the rubble by the White Helmets, and that bodies were trapped under the walls and roofs of the destroyed houses while fires broke out in the town. The Violations Documentation Centre named nine civilians it said were killed as a result of Russian shelling.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights  the regime was responsible for the raid. It put the death toll at five.

The victims were named by the VDC. including one unidentified adult male.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Maroush Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Samirah Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Abduljalil al-Mahmoud
Child male killed
Hala al-Mahmoud
Child female killed
Yaser Yaser al-Mahmoud
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Haloum al-Aas
Adult male killed
Sabah Sehreep
Adult female killed
Mohammad Sami
Adult male Was initially listed, though his name was later removed. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Hamra (كفر حمرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.252649, 37.079115. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]