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

RS1793

Incident date

December 24, 2016

Location

العاكولة شرقية, Al A'kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.139478, 37.738052 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians – including two girls and two women – were killed due to alleged Russian warplane shelling on Al A’kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes. 

Must be noted the two children from the Zgeer family are also mentioned in RS1792, an airstrike on Al Atarib, Aleppo. It is unclear where they died.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

From Al-Zugheir family 1
Child female killed
From Al-Zugheir family 2
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–2 children2 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

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–2 children2 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

RS1792

Incident date

December 24, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between four and eleven civilians – six reportedly from the same family – were killed in an aerial bombardment which struck a residential neighbourhood in Al Atarib, Aleppo, local media reported. Dozens were also said to have been wounded in the strikes.

Two men, two women and five named children were reported as killed by the Violations Documentation Center, despite most other reports being as low as five.

Most sources blamed Russia for the alleged airstrikes, however ,some also pointed to the Syrian regime. One source alleged that both belligerents were to blame. 

According to Tribearab, the bombs struck a shelter for displaced people. It was additionally reported by another source that it was a residential area.

A video published by Civil Defence Centre, shows many wounded civilians being dragged from the rubble. Defence workers are seen to be digging through the rubble for injured civilians or survivors. Towards the end of the footage, a dead child is pulled from the rubble with chunks of its body missing.

Must be noted the two children from the Zgeer family are also mentioned in RS1793, an airstrike on Al A’kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo. It is unclear where they died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Son of Tasnim Said Al Shun
Child male killed
Happy Yaman Al Shun
Age unknown killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Child female Must be noted the two children from the Zgeer family are also mentioned in RS1793, an airstrike on Al A'kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo. It is unclear where they died.
Child female Must be noted the two children from the Zgeer family are also mentioned in RS1793, an airstrike on Al A'kola al Sharqiya, Aleppo. It is unclear where they died.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2–5 children1–2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    News bulletin on the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. The body of a dead child is recovered from the rubble. (via Step)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. The body of a dead child is recovered from the rubble. Civilians are dragged from the rubble. (via Civil Defence centre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child with part of its head missing in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, Aleppo, 24th December 2016. (via @shbabRevolution)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via TRTalarabiya)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via TRTalarabiya)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via TRTalarabiya)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via TRTalarabiya)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • Bodies of the dead in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via @HalabTodayTV)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Plespost)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Plespost)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Plespost)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Plespost)
  • Hassan Said al-Shun, killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Saadmer3e)
  • Digging in the rubble in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Al Atarib, 24th December 2016. (via Civil defence)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 11
  • (2–5 children1–2 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1797

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Location

ادلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as three civilians including a child were killed, including one child, and several others were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes which hit Idlib. All sources attributed blame to Russia for these raids.

Footage shows huge amounts of material damage and a crater in the aftermath of the incident.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Tim Rajab
3 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, 27th December 2016. (via Qasioun news agency)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Idlib, 27th December 2016. (via @hadialbahra)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1794

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Location

العثمانية, Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.879236, 36.973039 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civil Defence volunteers were allegedly injured following an airstrike on the volunteer centre in Al-Othmaniya, Aleppo. Most sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged airstrikes, however AMC and LCCSY both blamed Russia. 

Additionally, one source – @Aleppojourn – reported “the fall of a number of martyrs” in “bombing by the criminal regime on the village of Al Othmanya”.

Reportedly, a fire truck was struck and damaged in the raid.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.

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
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1795

Incident date

December 27, 2016

Location

الجينة, Al-Jinah, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.117309, 36.802243 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reportedly wounded in alleged Russian  rocket strikes which targeted Al-Jinah, Aleppo, local media said. There were no reports of civilian deaths. 

Footage shows that not only were residential homes destroyed in the alleged raid, but  Osman bin Affan mosque was also partially destroyed.

@AnasAlhage, reported that two rockets were fired on the village. 

There are no other details at this time.

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 attackers
    Russian Military, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the strike hit Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via Aljinah village)
  • The aftermath of the raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via Al Bo Azizi)
  • News bulletin on the raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via Hareth Abd Al Hak)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via HNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid on Al-Jinah, 27th December 2016. (via HNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

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 attackers
    Russian Military, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1798

Incident date

December 28, 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

One or two civilians, including a man, were killed, and others were injured, including children, in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma. Sources are conflicted as to who was responsible, with some blaming Syrian regime and others Russia. 

According to one source, three missiles were launched on Douma. A different source claims there were four raids.

Sources suggest that it was residential homes which were struck in the raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibrahim Al Hablana
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Ibrahim Al Hablana, killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 28th December 2016. (via @SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.”

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
    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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1799

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

بسيمة, Basima, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.604754, 36.200209 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and “dozens” more were wounded – including a member of the Syrian Civil Defence – in air and artillery strikes on Basima, local media reported. All sources blamed the Syrian regime for the alleged raids, except LCCSY and Syrian Press Center who attributed them to Russian warplanes.

Only one source – Skynewsarabia- reported on the death of a civilian, but many others did allude to the injury of multiple civilians.

Additionally, Skynewsarabia did not specify where this civilian was killed: “A civilian was also killed and others were injured, including a civil defence volunteer, following the bombing of Syrian warplanes on the villages of Basima, Dir Muqrin and Ayn al-Fijah”.

This was reportedly the sixth day in a row that the area had faced aerial bombardments by both warplanes and helicopters. Raids had reportedly “coincided with clashes between the rebels and the regime forces”.

Reports suggested there were as many as 20 raids on the vicinity, with 15 explosive barrel bombs being used, and “dozens of rockets”. Later sources additionally reported the use of cluster bombs and artillery.

Allegedly, Murqin Monastery was struck and partially destroyed in the raid, as were the city’s water-pipes. There was reportedly extensive damage to the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments air and artillery strikes hit Basima, 28th December 2016. (via Qasioun news Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.”

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1800

Incident date

December 28, 2016

Location

عين الفيجة, Ain Fijeh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.616058, 36.179599 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians were killed, and a minimum of 10 were wounded, in raids on Ain Fijeh. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame the raids, with most blaming the Syrian regime, and some attributing blame to Russia.

Only two sources mentioned the death of a civilian in Ain Fijeh.

One source – Sky News Arabia – reported the death of a civilian, however, this source is the same report as from the previous incident – RS1799 – where it stated: “A civilian was also killed and others were injured, including a civil defence volunteer, following the bombing of Syrian warplanes on the villages of Basima, Dir Muqrin and Ayn al-Fijah”.

Despite this, another single source – @FreeArmyNews – reported that “heavy shelling today resulted in the death of two and the injury of at least 10 civilians”.

In a similar fashion to the previous incident in Basima – RS1799- it was reported that there were as many as eight raids with missiles, cluster bombs, artillery, explosive barrel bombs and “dozens of rockets”.

This allegedly led to extensive material destruction including the cities water-pipes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments an alleged air or artillery strike hit Ain Fijeh, 28th December 2016. (via Qasioun news Agency)
  • The exact moments an alleged air or artillery strike hit Ain Fijeh, 28th December 2016. (via Qasioun news Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 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.”

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]