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

RS1304

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Location

مارجا, Marja neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians died in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Marja neighbourhood, according to local media.

LCCSY said Russia carried out strikes, though Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (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 September 1st – 30th 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
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1336

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

بستان الباشا, Bustan al Bashr, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.226481, 37.168787 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local reports, between one and seven civilians were killed in airstrikes on the Busta al Basha neighbourhood of Aleppo. While the majority of sources attributed the event to Russia, many didn’t apportion blame.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee (SHRC) said that “explosive drums pounded the neighbourhood” – a weapon used by the regime; moreover, the Shaam News Network reported that both Russia and the regime had carried out strikes in Aleppo and its countryside on this day.

HNN named one of the victims and said six others couldn’t be identified. SHRC also reported seven people dead.

Most other sources claim one person died in the attack and others were wounded such as LCCSY: “One dead and some wounded were reported as Russian warplanes carried out a missile attack on Bustan al Basha neighborhood.”

Syria 2011 also named a second victim.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jaber Kurdi
Age unknown killed
Abdul Qadir Alorran
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A local makes his way through the rubble - the aftermath of suspected Russian shelling on Bustan al Basha, September 25th (via Step)
  • Rubble and destruction in Bustan al Basha following suspected Russian shelling, September 25th (via Step)
  • Siginifant material destruction in Bustan al Basha following alleged Russian shelling, September 25th (via Step)

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.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1368

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.802214, 36.709353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, Abdulmalik al-Ahdab, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala near Homs.

Syria News Desk wrote that “A 15-year-old boy was killed and other civilians were wounded in the late hours of the night yesterday [Sept 29th] by the Russian warplanes targeting the village of Teir Ma’ala.”

Most sources agreed that the strikes were conducted by Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, said they were Syrian regime strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulmalik al-Ahdab
15 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the destruction caused by the contested airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via @SyrianNews2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    15-year old Abdulmalik al-Ahdab was reportedly killed as a result of Russian or regime airstrikes in Teir Ma’ala in northern Homs countryside, 29th September 2016. (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An attempt to revive Abdul Malik al-Ahdab's body from the rubble, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via SyriaRev)

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.

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 child)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1402

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الزربة, Al Zirba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.06763, 36.97987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians died in alleged Russia or regime airstrike on the city of al Zirba, Aleppo, according to local media.

Some sources said that the strikes only caused damage and no civilian harm. For example, the Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes shelled in Zirba in the southern western countryside of Aleppo causing damage to building but there wetre no reports of civilian casualties”.

But most other reports put the death toll between six and eight.

According to EssamTaky, “six people from the same family died after Russian warplanes shelled Zirba”.

Syrian News, al-Watan and Muslim News attributed the event to both the Assad regime and Russia, while the Smart News Agency and EssamTaky pointed only to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Zirba. (via Step)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1434

Incident date

October 12, 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

Three civilians including a woman and her baby or foetus were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air and/or artillery strikes on Douma.

RadioAlKul wrote: “More than 25 warplane raids in Douma in addition to extensive artillery shelling which killed two and wounded more than 30.”

Bof-sy reported the lowest death count saying that there were “more than ten warplane raids and more than 60 missiles in 10 minutes in addition to heavy machine gun fire which killed a child named Suleiman Tu’ma and wounded a number of civilians.”

Alaraby said one child was killed in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Suleiman Tu’ma
10 years old male named by Douma Revolution killed
Nour Ayoub
Adult female pregnant according to some sources she was nine months pregnant, though Abomaherdomair said her baby died and published an image killed
Qamar Ayoub
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Almost moments after the alleged raid on Douma, Oct 12th (via Rof)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Douma, Oct 12th (via ZamanAlwasl)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a nine month old foetus killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Douma. (via Abomaherdomair)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1–2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–30
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1466

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

النزهة, Karam al Nuzha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.171001, 37.150269 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Nuzha neighbourhood, local media reported. While most sources blamed Russia, several others noted that the regime was also conducting strikes in Aleppo during this period of time, meaning that it’s involvement can’t be ruled out.

According to @dodoo559, “two raids from the Russian warplanes targeted Karam al Nuzha neighbourhood killing two people, including Hussein Madllal, 22, and wounding a child.”

@SmartNewsAgency blamed “Russian warships” and “Russian warplanes” for the death of two civilians

Alaraby reported that “Russian and regime warplanes continued their raids on the eastern part of the opposition-controlled city of Aleppo, killing more civilians. The warplanes launched several raids on Bab al-Nasr neighborhood in the old city of Aleppo, while two civilians were killed and others were wounded by air strikes on the neighbourhood of Karam al Nuzha”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Mdalal
22 years old male named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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 (14) [ 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 October 1st – 19th 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
  • (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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1498

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Location

Al Teeba, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One girl died and several more civilians were wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Teeba area in Homs, according to sources on the ground.

According to the Syrian Press Center ,”Russian air strikes on Sunday [Oct 23rd] targeted a camp for the displaced in the area of Taybeh in rural northern Homs, resulting in the death of a girl and the injury of other civilians.”

The Step News Agency also blamed Russia, as did LCCSY – though in a later post LCCSY noted that the regime also launched several strikes on the area on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

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 child)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1629

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

حي كرم الطراب , Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19611111, 37.20944444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On Friday, November 18, 2016, local media reported that two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian bombing of the Karam al Tarab neighbourhood in Aleppo, northwestern Syria.

Syriansnews reported that various neighborhoods in Aleppo, including Karam al Tarab, had been hit with artillery bombings and airstrikes on the day of the incident.

Halab News reported that one unknown civilian was killed in the incident, all other sources reported the number of victims killed as two.

News agency, Shahba Press, reported in a post on Twitter/X that the incident took place around noon.

The incident occured at approximately 12:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]

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 specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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]