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

CS1666 RS2697

Incident date

November 5, 2017

Location

الصبحة, Al Subha, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2970537, 40.2363968 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two brothers died in airstrikes on al Subha, local media said – though it was unclear who was responsible. Sources attributed blame to both Russia and the US-led Coalition.

According to Al Sharq News “intense” raids by the Coalition were occurring in the area.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Al Natek , they were killed by regime warplanes. Al Hall however blamed Russia, reporting that planes carried out “more than eight raids, killing two displaced men from the town of Mosul and injuring 13 others in additional to demolishing a large number of houses”.

DeirEzzor24 reported “the Deir Ezzor Military Council and the forces of SDF took control of the village of Subha in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor”.

A third victim was later named by Marsad al Sharqiya. The source said that he died as a result of shelling. He was also named by SPC, which blamed the Coalition for his death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hammadi Turk Al Ghadhban
Age unknown male brothers, named by Euphrates Post killed
Aboud Turki Al Ghadhban
Age unknown male brothers, named by Euphrates Post killed

The victims were named as:

Nu’man Hamoud al-Hunaidi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Brothers Aboud Turki Al - Ghadhban Al - Hado and Mohamed Turki Al-Ghadban Al-Hado were killed in a strike on Sabha, Nov 6th (via Ali Aldawla)
  • Brothers Aboud Turki Al - Ghadhban Al - Hado and Mohamed Turki Al-Ghadban Al-Hado were killed in a strike on Sabha, Nov 6th (via Ali Aldawla)
  • Brothers Aboud Turki Al - Ghadhban Al - Hado and Mohamed Turki Al-Ghadban Al-Hado were killed in a strike on Sabha, Nov 6th - one of them depicted here (via Albolil tribe-public figure)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Brothers Aboud Turki Al - Ghadhban Al - Hado and Mohamed Turki Al-Ghadban Al-Hado were killed in a strike on Sabha, Nov 6th (via B.N.N.)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incidents mention the village of Al Subha (الصبحة) for which the coordinates are: 35.2970537, 40.2363968

US-led Coalition Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 5th-6th: “Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed three ISIS missiles. Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes destroyed an ISIS line of communication and a fighting position.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Sunday 5 November: Two flights of Typhoon FGR4s, armed with Paveway IVs, flew similar missions over eastern Syria. One flight eliminated a mortar team near the border town of Abu Kamal, whilst the second pair of Typhoons successfully conducted four phased attacks against a tunnel complex near Al Mayadin.‘

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

Russian Military
  • Oct 26, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties..

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1099

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an aerial bombardment of a school and neighbourhood in Al Atareb, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

Sources reported that Russian warplanes and government helicopters were sighted in the vicinity – and that there were two raids with vacuum missiles.

There is photo evidence to show the partial damage of Al Atereb School for Boys. Many civilians were reportedly wounded – were wounded but no students were killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour
Adult male named by SN4HR killed
Wife of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour
Adult female named by SN4HR killed
Daughter of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour 1
Child female named by SN4HR killed
Daughter of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour 2
Child female named by SN4HR killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 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

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The daughters of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour, both killed in the airstrike. 5th August 2016. (via Facebook)
    The daughters of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour, both killed in the airstrike. 5th August 2016. (via Facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The daughter of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour. 5th August 2016. (via Facebook)
    The daughter of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour. 5th August 2016. (via Facebook)
  • The daughter of Abdel Moneim Ahmed Mansour, killed in the airstrike. 5th August 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via, Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids on Al Atarib. (via, Alburak)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via, SN4HR)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via, baladinetwork)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via, baladinetwork)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via, baladinetwork)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via ShahbaPress)
  • Al Aterib School for Boys, destroyed in the alleged raids. (via ShahbaPress)

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 August 1st – 10th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 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

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1131

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Another hospital was reportedly struck on 12th August 2016. At least 12 civilians including four women and between eight and ten children died, and up to 15 more were injured, in five air raids launched against the town of Hayyan, according to sources on the ground.

The children’s hospital was reportedly destroyed by the airstrikes, which resulted in the death of a nurse, a paramedic, and many of the children that were patients in the hospital. In addition, other members of the medical staff were injured from the attack.

Following the airstrikes, the hospital was rendered out of service.

The majority of local sources, including Al Jazeera and Halab Today, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes, while other sources were unclear as to whether the planes belonged to Russia or the regime. LCCSY, Damas Coordinate and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the raids.

@ALAMAWI and @shababRevolution published very graphic images of the bodies of children that were killed in the airstrikes.

The Violations Documentation Centre named the victims and also reported three unidentified male children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Nabiha Mohammad Ibraheem Qraitem,
30 years old female killed
Rawda Mahmoud Ibraheem Qraitem
40 years old female killed
Alaw Sleh Qraitem
10 years old female killed
Khaled Saleh Qraitem
12 years old female killed
Walaw Saleh Qraitem
10 years old female killed
Siham Hassan Ibraheem Qraitem
35 years old female killed
Fatima Hassan Ibraheem Qraitem
41 years old female killed
Marwa Mohammad Bari Qraitem
10 years old female killed
Raed Mohammad Bari Qraitem,
7 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 14
  • (8–10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–15
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties being removed from the area in Hayyan which was targeted by Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties being removed from the area in Hayyan which was targeted by Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties being removed from the area in Hayyan which was targeted by Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties following an airstrike in Hayyan by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the incident in Hayyan. (via, Syriahr)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of women and children on the side of the road where they were targeted by alleged raids. (via, Alamawi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of women and children on the side of the road where they were targeted by alleged raids. (via, shababRevolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies of women and children on the side of the road where they were targeted by alleged raids. (via, shababRevolution)

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 August 12th – 13th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 14
  • (8–10 children4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–15
  • 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 (38) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1163

Incident date

August 18, 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

Up to eight civilians including one child died in a casualty event in the Al Slaheen neighbourhood of Aleppo, local sources reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

According to Syria News Desk: “seven civilians were killed and five wounded in the Al Salheen neighbourhood of central Aleppo. Russian aviation targeted a residential building consisting of three floors.”

Halab News also put the death toll at seven, named the victims and included ‘3 unknown martyrs’. However, Jisrtv, Aletihad Press and Syrian Press centre blamed the regime. Syrian press Center put the number killed at eight.

A number of sources reported that the deaths had been caused by helicopters throwing explosive barrels on the neighbourhood. Syria Newsdesk reported that vacuum missiles were used in Salheen. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amina Shebar
Age unknown killed
Wael Walid Eryani
10 years old killed
Full Walid Eryani
20 years old killed
Joseph Bazkh
30 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged raid on Sahleen. (via, Halab Today TV)
  • Destruction to civilian homes in an alleged raid. (via, Halab News Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On August 18th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 tactical bombers took off from airbases on the territories of the Russian Federation and the Islamic Republic of Iran and carried out a group air strike on objects of the ISIS terrorist grouping in the Deir ez-Zor province. As a result, the strikes have eliminated 5 large depots with armament, munitions and fuel, 6 control centres, a large number of militants, artillery positions and armoured hardware of terrorists."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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

RS1196

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Tabqaqa, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.9505639, 39.0094148 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died and 30 more were injured in alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tabqaqa, local media reported.

According to Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently – who later blamed Russia – “three people died and more than 30 were injured raids by warplanes on a carpet factory in the city of Tabaqa”. The source later published graphic images showing charred bodies following the incident, adding that the carpet factory – which was reportedly put out of service – was near the Hamza mosque.

According to @AlSaharqia24, who also pointed to Russia, the entire mosque was destroyed in the strike. RBSS went on to report that another raid “targeted a kindergarten by the church in the city”.

The Step News Agency also attributed the strikes to Russia – though some other sources didn’t identify the responsible party – including the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights who said one civilian had died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty who was burnt alive following an alleged Russian raid on Ar Raqqa. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty who was burnt alive following an alleged Russian raid on Ar Raqqa. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty who was burnt alive following an alleged Russian raid on Ar Raqqa. (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

Russia has not reported any strikes between August 20th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1228

Incident date

September 6, 2016

Location

حور, Hor, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.88256, 38.17169 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including two children and a woman died and up to 20 more civilians were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hor town, local media reported.

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes launched airstrikes with vacuum missiles on Hor town in the western suburbs with led to the fall of four civilian martyrs from the same family in addition to several wounded with various degrees of injuries”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the four dead included two children and a woman.

But other sources, including Shahed-ay and Smart, said that five people died with four more wounded.

Alsharq put the death toll at six – while Ara News and RFS said seven died (all from the same family) with “more than 20” others wounded

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–20
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Material destruction in Hor town - the results of suspected Russian bombardment (via Shahed-ay)
  • The White Helmets at the scene in Hor - surveying the impact of alleged Russian shelling (via Syrianpc)
  • Rubble and a partly demolished building in Hor - the impact of suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Halab Today 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 not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–20
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1260

Incident date

September 11, 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

According to Syria News Desk, “seven civilians were killed and dozens wounded in an initial toll following Russian warplane shelling on a vegetable market in al Ferdos neighbourhood in the centre of Aleppo city.”

LCCSY also reported that Russia shelled al Ferdos, but made no mention of civilian harm.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • 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 not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]