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
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
1846 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

CS1657 RS2668

Incident date

November 1, 2017

Location

البصيرة, Al Busayrah, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.15618, 40.42716 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two named civilians died and up to 23 others were wounded in an airstrike on al Busayrah according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether the US-led Coalition or Russia were to blame.

Baladi, Jisr TV and Sharqiya Voice all blamed the Coalition.

Euphrates Post reported “the martyrdom of the young man Abdul Muttalib Mohammed Hassan Al-Ali and the injury of his cousins: Abdul Qadir Taleb al-Hassan (critical injury), Yasser Abdul Samad Al Hassan and Abd al-Shafi Saleh al-Hassan. All casualties were the result of air strikes targeting the house of Abdul Samad Dawood al-Hassan”.

However 7al blamed Russia for carrying out six raids, putting the death toll at “two young people” and injury of 23 more.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aboud Talib Dawood Hassan Al Ali Ahmad Al Khalid
Adult male killed
The cousin of Martyr Abdul Muttali
Age unknown killed
Abdul Qadir Taleb al-Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured
Yasser Abdul Samad Al Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured
Abd al-Shafi Saleh al-Hassan
Age unknown male cousin of Aboud injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–23
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aboud Talib Dawood Hassan Al Ali Ahmad Al Khalid, killed in an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Busayrah, 1st November 2017. (via Deir free tweet)
  • A victim of an alleged Coalition airstrike on Al Busayrah, 1st November 2017. (via Euphrates)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of al Busayrah (البصيرة), for which the coordinates are: 35.15618, 40.42716

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • 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.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For November 1st-2nd: “Near Abu Kamal, one strike engaged an ISIS tactical unit and destroyed an ISIS vehicle. Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units, destroying a fighting position and damaging a line of communication.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–23
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1092

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian shelling killed two civilians in Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

According to Baladi News, a rocket was reportedly seen in the vicinity. Further to this, Smart News said that it was specifically a missile strike which killed two civilians and wounded six others.

A number of sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Hamdo Ramadan
49 years old male named by Halab News killed
Subhi Ahmed Ramadan
Age unknown male named by Halab News killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Hamdo Ramadan, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)
  • Subhi Ahmed Ramadan, killed in an alleged Russia raid. (via, VDC)

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.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1124

Incident date

August 11, 2016

Location

الراموسة, Ramousa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1583284, 37.1326297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and four others were injured in airstrikes and artillery fire on the Ramousa neighbourhood in Aleppo, local media reported. Most sources attributed the airstrikes to Russian aircraft, which reportedly carried out eight air raids, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime. Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government warplanes and its allies”.

According to local media, the civilian killed was identified as a member of the  White Helmets, who was killed while trying to help those that were trapped under the debris. In addition, three other members of the White Helmets were injured, including the head of civil defence in the Ansari Fakhoury neighbourhood.

@shamfront11 added that artillery had also shelled the area.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Omar Harah
35 years old male member of the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Khaled Omar Harah, killed as a result of alleged Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes. (via, LCCSY)
  • Khaled Omar Harah, killed as a result of alleged Russian and Syrian Regime warplanes. (via, SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On August 11th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "six Tu-22M3 long-range bombers took off from the territory of the Russian Federation and carried out concentrated strikes with high-explosive fragmentation munitions on objects of the ISIS terrorist grouping located to the south-east, north, and north-west regions from the Raqqah city. A large weaponry, ammunition and POL storage located near the Raqqah city, a plant producing chemical munitions located in the north-western suburbs of the city, and a large ISIS terrorists’ training camp have been destroyed by the aviation strike." Further to this they added that "Terrorists have suffered significant material damage. A lot of insurgents have been eliminated." According to the report the bombers took off from Hmeymim airbase.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1156

Incident date

August 16, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Dara Azza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on Dara Azza in Aleppo, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia – though there were also allegations against the regime – and focused on a strike on a field hospital. Other outlets reported more widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure in addition to the raid on the medical facility. The alleged use of phosphorous bombs was also noted by at least one source.

The Shaam News Network (SNN) said that Russia carried out 10 raids on Dara Azza (though some other reports put the number higher). “Civilian homes and neighbourhoods” were initially struck, resulting in an unspecified number of “martyrs and wounded”. SNN added that the Russian jets then returned in the evening, striking al Reeh hospital.

But according to Syria News Desk, the Russian raids occurred at “two o’clock in the morning, and destroyed the only field hospital”. It put the death toll at two civilians with 20 more injured.

The Smart News Agency said that four alleged Russian strikes “targeted the hospital directly”, leading to the “burning of two ambulances”, complete destruction of half of the building and “killing of two civilians who were next to the hospital” – but left no casualties among the medical staff.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said the regime had carried out strikes on Dara Azat, killing two people – though the report didn’t mention the raid on the hospital. Radar2 named “a civilian”, as killed by regime warplanes. This victim was also named by LCCSY, though source listed him as a combatant. Alarabya added that “two militants” had been killed in the bombing.

Radio Alkul reported that “the local council in the town of Darat Izza countryside its work on Wednesday [Aug 17th] in all its departments, medical centres, public hospitals and civic institutions until further notice due to the barbaric bombardment of the Assad regime the Russians and its allies. Only emergency medical kits were provided. The shelling destroyed civilian infrastructure and displacement of residents of the city. Additionally, warplanes struck civil service institutions, particularly public hospitals, one of which – a field hospital – was completely put out of service.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Aboud
Adult male a militant, named by Radar2 killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Fires spread in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Shahed-ayan)
  • Fires spread in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Daretezzamedia)
  • A news bulletin reporting on the hospital which was allegedly targeted by Russian ans Syrian Regime raid. (via, AMC)
  • The inside of the hospital which was targeted by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime forces. (via, Syrianewsdesk)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On August 16th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that,"Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and Su-34 tactical bombers took off from the “Hamedan” airbase (the Islamic Republic of Iran) and carried out a concentrated airstrike on objects of the ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings in the provinces of Aleppo, Deir ez-Zor and Idlib. As a result, the strikes have eliminated 5 large ammunition depots with armament, munitions and fuel, training camps of militants near Serakab, Al-Ghab, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor cities, 3 control centres of militants near the cities Jafra and Deir ez-Zor as well as a significant number of militants. Ammunition depots, training camps and control centres destroyed by the bombing had been used for support of militant groupings near Aleppo."

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
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1188

Incident date

August 23, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and five civilians died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Aleppo’s Mashhad neighbourhood, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime. Local media outlets said that a popular bakery had been struck.

LCCSY initially reported that Russia carried out a “vacuum missile attack” – though the source later appeared to change its position and blame “Assad’s helicopters”.

Ara was the only other source that blamed Russia, reporting that six civilians died in the raid on the bakery.

The majority of sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Halab News and AMC attributed the event to “explosive barrels dropped from regime helicopters.” Most reports put the death count at three.

The Violations Documentation Center listed five unidentified adult males, and blamed “Syrian government and affiliated militias” for their deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • A child sits among the ruins of Aleppo's Mashhad neighbourhood, following a strike on Aug 24th. (via AMC. Photographer: Thaer Mohammed).
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on a bakery in Al Mashad. (via, Halab Today)
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on a bakery in Al Mashad. (via, Halab Today)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, AMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby is pulled from the rubble, 23rd August 2016. (via, Syrian PC)
  • A man clears the rubble from outside his home. (via, Aleppo AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, Alepp AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, Aleppo AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Mashad. (via, Alepp AMC)

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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–24
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1221

Incident date

September 4, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians died and 10 more were wounded in shelling of Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood, local media reported – though it is unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

According to Ara, Russia carried out an airstrike killing three civilians and wounding more than 10 others. Halab News also pointed to Moscow, putting the death toll at two.

Alwatan, Syrian News and the Shaam News Network blamed “Russian and Syrian warplanes”, while SyrianMubasher said that helicopters were responsible for the deaths.

But Shehab and the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that this was the work of the Assad regime.

A number of other sources referred to an unspecified number of wounded non-combatants but didn’t apportion blame for the casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

  • Destroyed vehicles and buildings in Al Ansari - the impact of suspected Russian shelling (Tweet via @baladinetwork)

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 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS1253

Incident date

September 10, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten civilians died and as many as 20 more were wounded in air and artillery strikes on Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

According to Shahed-ayan, “warplanes and artillery shelling in Bustan Al-Qaser killed 10 people and wounded others. The civil defense lifted the bodies from the rubble and took the wounded to hospitals.”

Baladi also blamed “warplanes and artillery shelling”, which it said wounded “more than 20” civilians in addition to ten killed.

Syria News Desk reported that “one civilian was killed and three others wounded following a Russian strike using vacuum missiles on Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood.”

The Smart News Agency and LCCSY also pointed to Russia an

Russia has not reported any strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

d put the death toll at two.

However, both the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights attributed the attack to the regime – putting the death count at four and three respectively.

Fouadhallak alleged the culprit was “Russian/Syrian warplanes”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmet rescue team arrives at the scene in Bustan al Qasr following susepcted Russian warplane shelling (Youtube via CDS)
  • Photographs of civilians under the rubble and material destruction in Bustan al Qasr. The aftermath of alleged Russian warplane shelling (Tweet via @thiqanewsagency)
  • A street in Bustan al Qasr following alleged Russian warplane shelling, the source alleged 10 civilians killed (Tweet via @Fouadhallak89)
  • Further destruction to buildings in the Bustan al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo. The impact of suspected Russian warplane shelling (via LCCSY)

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 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1286

Incident date

September 19, 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

Local media reported at least one and as many as four dead as a result of either Russian airstrikes or regime shelling in the al Ferdos neighborhood of Aleppo on September 19th.

Almodon News said that “Russian fighter jets bombed the eastern districts of Aleppo,” including al Ferdos.

Smart News and Alaraby News both used the same language, stating, “Russian warplanes and other subsidiaries of the system targeted Al Fardous and killed one person.”

Buraydh news claimed “four civilian casualties after helicopters targeted Fardous with explosive barrels”.

LCCSY tweeted that Assad’s forces were striking al Ferdos with heavy artillery. Thiqa News Agency also tweeted, “injuries from artillery shelling on Al Fardous neighbourhood caused Assad’s forces stationed in Aleppo Citadel.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • 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 (16) [ 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
    1 – 4
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]