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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
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Incident Code

RS470

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

تراحيل, Tal Rahil (Taraheil), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2295966, 37.352829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians including two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taraheil, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network.

SN4HR reported that three non-combatants, including two women, died when “suspected Russian warplanes” shelled Taraheil.

The Shaam News Network – also blaming Russia – put the death toll higher at six, again including two women.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • 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

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
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • 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

RS502

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Shaam News Network, Russian forces targeted the town of Azaz with two ballistic missiles, causing the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published an image of a young man, who came from Raqqa and was said to have died in bombing. The source does not say which day the incident occurred nor who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Amin al Kamishli
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Amin al Kamishli, killed in an alleged strike on Azaz, 29th January 2016. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS538

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three civilians including one woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan.

Shahed A’ayan Halab reported the deaths of 5 people and the wounding of 3 others as a result of Russian bombing in Hraytan.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (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 (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 has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS571

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.7857347, 36.6818047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two non-combatants including a woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to local media.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported two deaths in Dayr al Kabira as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes.

Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The victims were also named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Khair al-Salibi
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Khadijeh Marto
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS604

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Location

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1682296, 37.0184326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported two children killed in alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes continued their raids on the town of Khan Al A’ssal and Dahiat al Kahraba neighbourhood which led to the dead of two children [girls] in the latter.”

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that two unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS636

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

تل الضمان‬, Tal al Daman, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.810278, 37.252222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on Tal al Dhaman, according to local sources. However Mr Ramadan’s death was also reported for Fbruary 16th, likely making this a double reporting.

DCHRS reported the death of Hameed Radaman from a Russian strike. It also said that his son was killed, but could not be identified.

According to Syrianpc, Russian strikes on Tal al Dhaman killed two civilians and wounded a number more, including women and children. They named Hamid Ramadan as a victim and an unidentified girl.

Hasan Mustafa tweeted that 65-year old Hameed Radaman died along with his 10-year-old grandson – and also blamed Russia.

According to a 40-minute programme by Al Jisr Satellite TV, (video posted above) two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike near Tal al Dhaman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hameed Ramadan
65 years old male killed
Grandson of Hameed Ramadan
10 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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]

  • Bulletin reporting on the inciedent. (via, Jisir TV)

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 from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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

RS668

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Location

درعا البلد, Dara al Balad, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.607961, 36.099127 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including one or two children died in an airstrike or artillery bombardment on Dara al Balad, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was a Russian strike or action by the Syrian regime.

Among the sources blaming Russia were Khaled Abu Slem, Abn_Horan and Syria Mubashar.

However, a number of other reports, including Naba and Gulf Eyes, pointed towards land to land missiles fired by the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Eisa Adnan al Jaber al Mahameed
Child male killed
Batul Ahmad Abdullah Qanat
Child female killed
Issa Adnan Jaber Al-Mhameed
Age unknown named by Syrianpc killed
Adnan Almsylmeh
Age unknown male named by Syriass1881, an extremily graphic image published of him, could be the same individual as isa Adnan al Jaber al Mahameed killed
Hussein Mohammad Mustafa al Jabbawi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Eisa Adnan al-Jaber al-Mahameed, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, VDC)
  • A video of the exact moments the raid hit Dara al Balad. (via, Shaam)

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 from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS700

Incident date

March 1, 2016

Location

الزعينية, Al Zou’ainiyah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8410948, 36.2248957 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four people died and at least 10 were injured when a ballistic missile hit Al Zou’ainiyah – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russian warships or the Assad regime.

Alaraby reported that Russian warships stationed in the Mediterranean launched ballistic missiles on Al Zou’ainiyah, resulting in three deaths. A Syrian Civil Defense video also claimed that Russia launched long range ballistic missiles “on the fourth day of the truce March 1st 2016” which fell on civilian homes. According to Baladi News, three civilians died and 13 more were injured in an alleged Russian attack with a ballistic missile. Syrian News also blamed the Russian ships and put the death toll higher at four – with many wounded – explaining that a missile “hit the roads between the villages of the countryside Jisr al-Shughur”. Shaam News Network also attributed the incident to Russia: “Russian warships targeted Al Zou’ainiyah village in the countryside of Jisr al shoughour with ballistic missiles which led to the fall of four martyrs and many wounded.”

However, other sources said the regime was responsible. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, at least three victims died when regime forces launched surface to surface missiles. The Syrian Press Center also appeared to blame the regime, reporting that a “ballistic missile from ground to ground type also fell on the town in the countryside of Al-Za’aeiniyeh bridge, killing and injuring a number of civilians in addition to the destruction of houses and public facilities.” Syrian News Desk said at least 10 civilians were injured when a regime missile landed “near a workshop for the maintenance of vehicles“. It added that some were critically wounded, and that there had been “great destruction of residential buildings and other property“. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported deaths when “a missile believed to be ground-to-ground landed on area in al-Z’eyniyyeh village“, though did not specify who fired it.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Imad Musa
Adult male killed
Muhammad Qutaish
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (0–2 women2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Video published by the Syrian Civil Defense titled 'Targeting of Za’aeiniyeh with long range ballistic missiles on the fourth day of the truce'. The video blames Russia for the incident.
  • Video published by the Syrian Civil Defense titled 'Civil Defense in Douma documenting the bombing of Za’aeiniyeh village with ballistic missiles shortly before'. The video reportedly shows the house of one of the affected civilians.
  • SN4HR video titled 'Idlib - Al-Za’aeiniyeh: Civil Defense collects remnants of long-range missile targeted the village'
  • Victim of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Syrian Press Centre)
  • Victim of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Syrian Press Centre)
  • Victim of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Syrian Press Centre)
  • Victim of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Syrian Press Centre)
  • The aftermath of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Baladi News)
  • The aftermath of the strike in Al Zou’ainiyah (via Syrian News Desk)

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
    3 – 4
  • (0–2 women2–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]