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

R4503

Incident date

February 25, 2023

Location

النيرب, Al Nerab, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

At least two civilians and up to three civilians, including one child, one woman, and one man, were reportedly injured in an artillery shelling attributed to either the Syrian regime or Russian forces which hit residential neighbourhoods and “the vicinity of a closed school” in Al Nerab, a town to the east of Idlib, on February 27th 2023.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that the injured were treated by their volunteers.

@SAMS_Arabic reported that the Idlib Central Hospital, which is supported by SAMS received three injuries. It reported that the woman and child injured were mother and child.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (1 child1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • "#Syria: The Syrian regime forces bombed the town of Neirab, east of #Idlib" (Image via @medianaart1 / Twitter)
  • "Idlib Central Hospital, supported by SAMS, received 3 injuries, a woman, her child and a man, and Maarat Misrin Hospital received one injury, due to the bombing of the town of Neirab, east of Idlib, the town of Al-Foua and the outskirts of the city of Idlib." (Image via @SAMS_Arabic / Twitter)
  • "Idlib Central Hospital, supported by SAMS, received 3 injuries, a woman, her child and a man, and Maarat Misrin Hospital received one injury, due to the bombing of the town of Neirab, east of Idlib, the town of Al-Foua and the outskirts of the city of Idlib." (Image via @SAMS_Arabic / Twitter)
  • "Idlib Central Hospital, supported by SAMS, received 3 injuries, a woman, her child and a man, and Maarat Misrin Hospital received one injury, due to the bombing of the town of Neirab, east of Idlib, the town of Al-Foua and the outskirts of the city of Idlib." (Image via @SAMS_Arabic / Twitter)
  • "A child and a woman were injured in artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting residential neighborhoods and the vicinity of a closed school due to previous shelling in the town of Neirab, east of Idlib" (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)
  • "A child and a woman were injured in artillery shelling by the regime forces and Russia targeting residential neighborhoods and the vicinity of a closed school due to previous shelling in the town of Neirab, east of Idlib" (Image via @SyriaCivilDefe / Twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • (1 child1 woman0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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

R4538

Incident date

August 9, 2023

Location

تديل, Tadel, Aleppo, Syria

Airwars assessment

On August 9th 2023, a civilian was killed and at least one other civilian, a child, was slightly injured, as a result of artillery shelling by Syrian regime and/or Russia forces on the village of Tadel, west of Aleppo.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that an elderly civilian was killed and a child and a young man were injured, and the injured were taken to the hospital for treatment. Local sources including the Syrian Human Rights Committee and tweets from @spc_fr and @Najdat567 identified the person killed as civilian youth/young man Khaled Abdel Qadir. NPA also reported that Khaled Abdel Qadir had been killed, but stated that he was 54 years old. @SyriaCivilDefe and Orient news did not identify the civilian, but reported that an elderly civilian had been killed.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, multiple shells hit the village of Tadel, including one that landed in the middle of the village and caused the civilian casualties.

Sources were conflicted as to who was responsible, with the Syrian Civil Defense (@SyriaCivilDefe) blaming both the Syrian regime and Russia while NPA attributed the shelling to the Syrian regime only, specifically pointing to regime forces stationed in the 46th Regiment while Anadolu News assigned responsibility to regime forces stationed in the village of Kafr Halab.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Abdel Qadir خالد عبد القادر
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civil Defense volunteers respond to alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Remnants of a shell allegedly launched by Russian and/or Syrian regime forces on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @Ahmad_1alshble)
  • Alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by @syrianewsag)
  • Damage caused by alleged Russian and Syrian regime forces on Tadel on August 9, 2023. (Image posted by Adnan Al Imam via Facebook)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

R4560

Incident date

September 25, 2023

Location

جسر الشغور, city of Jisr Al Shughour, western Idlib, Idlib Governorate, Syria

Airwars assessment

On Monday evening, 25 September 2023, between seven and 10 civilians, including two children and up to four women (one of whom was pregnant), were injured in missile strikes and artillery shelling allegedly by Syrian regime forces and/or Russian forces and/or Iranian forces on residential neighborhoods, the popular market and near the mosque in the city of Jisr al-Shughur in the western countryside of Idlib, northwest Syria.

Initial reportage from the Syrian Civil Defence (the White Helmets) stated that seven civilians were injured, including two children and two women, in “a missile strike by regime forces….this evening, Monday, September 25”, adding that their teams “treated a number of injured and inspected” the damaged areas. This version of events was corroborated by multiple local news media and social media including Syria News Agency and Shaam News, with the latter adding that the alleged bombing occurred “in light of the continued bombing operations today by the regime and its allies on the areas of rural Idlib and Aleppo”, and multiple sources claiming that heavy artillery shells were used. Sources on social media, Duraid Haj Hammoud and @alking14399969 shared the names of the seven injured – Tamim Muhammad Gharibawi (70), Saif Al-Din Muhammad (32), Wael Sheikh Mohammed (48), Ibrahim Ahmed Halabi (5), Bassam Mustafa Fustuk (17), Ruqaya Abdel Hamid Marzouk (20), and Hanaa Hassan Khalilo (50) – with Duraid stating that “all injuries were minor, thank God.” The White Helmets later updated the civilian casualty toll to 10 wounded, stating the toll from the artillery shelling “of regime forces….rose to 10 wounded, including two children and four women, one of whom is pregnant.” A video shared by the White Helmets with the caption “Bodies pierced by fragments of death shells, painted in blood and ash, a new story of Syrian oppression” showed a weeping child, possibly Ibrahim, in a bloodied yellow shirt with his wounded forehead being stitched up by medical workers, an elderly wounded man in a state of shock being assisted by emergency workers, and the rubble, damaged buildings and vehicles in the aftermath of the bombardment. Sources widely shared images of the wounded, the damage caused to infrastructure, and images of the smoke and debris from the bombardment rising near the golden domed mosque in Idlib.

Anadolu Agency quoted sources from within the White Helmets alleging that “Jisr al-Shughour was subjected to ground bombardment by the regime” forces and allegedly Iranian-backed groups stationed in Jurin, northwest of Hama Governorate, adding that the wounded were treated in hospitals nearby. The Jisr al-Shughour Media Center stated that there were several injuries, and “damage to a water transport vehicle” as a result of artillery shelling, and alleged that the source of the shelling were “regime forces stationed in the Jurin camp in the al-Ghab Plain.” A source on X/Twitter, @MohamadDaba9966, claimed that the bombardment was a response to alleged attacks on towns in the al-Ghab Plain, and was reportedly aimed at alleged Turkestan Islamic Party militants within Jisr al-Shughur. Another source, @hadikhraat, shared images of a fire damaged vehicle with water tanks, stating that there was a partial fire in the truck that was “designated for transporting water”, and that it was damaged “in conjunction with a reconnaissance aircraft flight” as a result of artillery bombardment.

Where sources identified a belligerent, most sources attributed the bombardment to Syrian Regime Forces, and as having originated from Jurin in the al-Ghab Plain. However, a few sources attributed the attack to Russian forces and Iranian forces.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Tamim Muhammad Gharibawi تميم محمد غريباوي
70 years old injured
Saif Al-Din Muhammad سيف الدين محمد
32 years old injured
Wael Sheikh Mohammed وائل الشيخ محمد
48 years old injured
Ibrahim Ahmed Halabi إبراهيم أحمد حلبي
5 years old injured
Bassam Mustafa Fistak بسام مصطفى فستق
17 years old injured
Ruqaya Abdel Hamid Marzouk رقية عبد الحميد مرزوق
20 years old injured
Hanaa Hassan Khalilo هناء حسن خليلو
50 years old injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (20) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @SyriaCivilDefe
  • Source: @SyriaCivilDefe

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Marea_Elshame

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Source: @Hamoudi_Free_Sy
  • Source: @Mohammed78990
  • Source: @Mohammed78990
  • Source: @hadikhraat
  • Source: Abdo R Aliko
  • Source: Abdo R Aliko
  • Source: Abdo R Aliko
  • Source: Duraid Haj Hammoud
  • Source: Arabic press
  • Source: Arabic press
  • Source: Aa news

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Iranian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Marketplace, Water station
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Impact
    Food
    Impact on services or infrastructure relating to education, health or food supply. See methodology note for details.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime, Iranian Military

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS001

Incident date

September 30, 2015

Location

الزعفرانة, Za`faranah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.882683, 36.770165 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Fifteen non-combatants were reported killed at the village of Za`faranah in Russia’s first wave of airstrikes in support of the Syrian regime.

According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Russian warplanes targeted “ISIS dens” in al-Rastan, Talbiseh and Zafaraniya in Homs province; Al-Tilol al-Hmer, in Qunaitra province; Aydoun, a village on the outskirts of the town of Salamiya; Deer Foul, between Hama and Homs; and the outskirts of Salmiya.”

At Za`faranah, according to SN4HR, 15 civilians were killed “including two children and five women.” Following a field investigation the Violations Documentation Centre also put the death toll at fifteen.

Citing an eyewitness, VDC noted; “Two attacks were launched on the southern entrance to the village, specifically on four adjacent civilian houses.There were neither military locations nor an ISIS presence in the targeted area. Unfortunately, fourteen civilians, many unidentified, were instantly killed and more than thirty others were injured in the two strikes. Following this, at 10:00 am, warplanes targeted the area of al-Makramiah, south-west of Zaafaraneh village. As a result, a young man was killed and eight civilians were injured. On that day, the air strikes did not stop, they continued targeting the southern part of the village at about 11:00 am, causing injury to eight more people.”

Nine of the victims were named by VDC.

Russian media made no mention of civilian casualties – with TASS referring only to “pinpoint airstrikes” against what were described as ‘ISIS targets.’

The incident occured between 9:00 am and 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Alhammad
Adult male killed
Mahasen AlHammadeih
Adult female killed
Abed al-Jabbar al-Alawi
Adult male killed
Reem Khaled al-Akkari
Adult female killed
Samira al-Khateeb
Adult female killed
Deba al-Khalaf
Adult female killed
Rahaf al-Habash
Child female killed
Khaled Alqassab
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    46
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Destruction caused at Za`faranah. (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan /VDC)
  • Searching for victims at Za`faranah, (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan /VDC)
  • Following the alleged Russian strike at Za`faranah, Sept 30th 2015 (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan/VDC)
  • Rescuers seartch for victims of the alleged Russian strike at Za`faranah, Sept 30th 2015 (via Activist Anas Abu Adnan/VDC)
  • Activist Anas Abu Adnan captures moment of an Russian airstrike on al Za'afarana Sept 30th 2015 (via VDC)
  • Footage of an airstrike on Za`faranah, Sept 30th. (via Минобороны России)
  • Image showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian shelling at Al Zaafarana on 30th September 2015, Source Baladi News

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of an injured child in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid. (via talbisa h)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike that targeted homes in an area called al-Makramiah located southwest of Za`faranah (الزعفرانية‎). Investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed the location of the airstrike to a block of homes on the southwest outskirts of Za’faranah. Post-strike satellite imagery also corroborates the location of the incident, for which the exact coordinates are: 34.882683, 36.770165.

  • Image showing general location of airstrike on Za`faranah.

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Image showing specific location of homes targeted by airstrike in Za`faranah.

    Imagery:
    Violations Documentation Center in Syria

  • Satellite image showing features from general location of airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing features of homes targeted in airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing undamaged home that would be destroyed in strike several months later.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing damage at home targeted in airstrike several months after the incident.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian MoD has confirmed carrying out airstrikes on September 30th 2015, though did not give precise locations: “Today the Russian aviation, which was located at the Syrian airfield Hmeymim, performed high accuracy strikes against international terrorist organization ISIS. The attack jets with modern armament hit eight facilities, including munition, armament and POL storages, combat vehicles, command and communication posts. All targets have been successfully engaged. The pilots completely destroyed HQ and coordination centers of the ISIS troops located in the mountains.”

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (2 children5 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    46
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS033

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.429388, 36.49078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A combined air assault by Russian attack helicopters – coupled with an attack by Syrian regime aircraft and ground forces – reportedly killed four civilians at Kafr Nbouda. They were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hamid al-Horani
Adult male 60 years old killed
Wife of Hamid al-Horani
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Amoun al-Yousef
Adult female 60 years old killed
Abd al-Lateef al-Yousef
Adult male 65 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing Russian raids on Kafr Nbouda, 9th October 2015.(via Baladi news)
  • Footage showing warplane raids on Kafr Nbouda. The voice over on the video says Russian but the notes below say that the two raids are now 'confirmed as regime', 9th October 2015. (via, Media Office for Northern Hama)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.” It also reported destroying “2 command centres; an ammunition depot in the Hamah province.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS066

Incident date

October 21, 2015

Location

أبو خنادق, Abu al Khanadak, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.406795, 37.199541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were killed – including four women – following an alleged Russian strike on civilian homes at Abu al Khanadak. The dead were later named by VDC.

Images obtained by Shaam showed significant damage at the site.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Tamader Mohammad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan
Adult female killed

Family members (1)

Faten Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan
Adult female killed

Family members (1)

Abd al-Hai Ahmad Abd al-Qader al-Dandan
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Radwan Rajab Al Mohamad
Adult male killed
Zaeilah Faraj al Yousef
Adult female killed
Najmeh Hosain al-Khaled
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Rescuers at scene of alleged Russian strike at Abuu, Oct 21 2015 (via SNN)
  • Photos from SNN of the aftermath of the bombing of Russian planes of civiian homes in Abu Al Khanadeq in the eastern countryside.

Geolocation notes (7) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that up to six people were killed in an airstrike in the village of Abu al Khanadak (أبو خنادق) in Hama. After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to a compound on the northwest outskirts of the village, for which the exact coordinates are: 35.406795, 37.199541.

  • Image from scene showing dense trees adjacent to building targeted in strike.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • The groups of trees marked B, C, and D are progressively farther away from the viewpoint of the camera.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • Although it's barely visible, the features marked F is a road leading away from the village.

    Imagery:
    SNN

  • The dense trees adjacent to the targeted building and the concrete roof are seen here in a satellite image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery shows the trees from the on-the-ground photo in a staggered pattern.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • The road barely visible in the witness image is seen here in an overhead shot. The compound targeted in the strike is to the bottom left of the red box.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing a close-up of the home targeted in the strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate for October 21st-22nd 2015: “For the last 24 hours, the Russian Su-34, Su-24M, Su-25SM aircraft performed 53 combat sorties engaging 72 terrorist facilities in the Hama, Idlib, Lattakia, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 women2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS098

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1923129, 37.1477151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

During a wave of Russian or Assad regime strikes near Aleppo, up to 25 civilians were reported killed – 17 of them said to be children – at Al Kalassa. Some reports placed the strike at Wadi al Arayes, though casualty reports make clear these are the same event.

According to Shaam News, “Another 15 civilians, including children, and dozens injured, in addition to the destruction of more than 10 houses in a raid on the Russian Aviation on Al Kalassah neighborhood.”

Radio Alkul reported that “field hospitals in Aleppo are calling for blood donations after the arrival of dozens of wounded following the Russian strike.”

The attack was described by some as the first by Russia on Aleppo itself. As Enabaladi noted, “There were conflicting reports about the origin of the missile which targeted the neighborhood. Locals assumed it is Russian as this is the first time they see this level of destruction, with five buildings completely destroyed.” However Aleppo Media Centre – while attributing other strikes in the vicinity that day to Russia – insisted the attack was the work of the Assad regime.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Wardeh Tinno
9 years years old female killed
Ali Tinno
7 years years old male killed
Mohammad Tinno
Child male baby killed
Ammoun Tinno
50 years years old male killed
Baddour Tinno
9 years years old female killed

Family members (2)

Janna Yasseen
5 years years old female killed
Sadra Yasseen
8 years years old female killed

Family members (3)

Ali Hassan Abd Al Qader
10 years years old male killed
Badriyah Hassan Abd Al Qader
12 years years old female killed
Mohammad Hassan Abd Al Qader
7 years years old male killed

Family members (3)

Ridah Ziyad Assi
9 years years old male killed
Mohammad Assi
11 years years old male killed
Mohammed Yahya al Assi
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Aisha Abbass
35 years years old female killed
Mahmoud Abbas
22 years years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Waleed Habboush
3 years years old male killed
Hussein Samer al Hassan
3 years years old male killed
Hajer Ahmad Ameen
5 years years old female killed
Siham Jirban
9 years years old female killed
Unknown child from Al Idilbi family
Child male
Unknown, 70 years old
Age unknown killed
five unnamed members of Al Nahlawi family
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 26
  • (18 children3 women)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Title: Shaam, Aleppo Al Kalassa neighbourhood, the search for victims after a massacre committted by Russian planes. Harrowing scenes. 30/10/2015 (via SNN)
  • Title: Shaam, Aleppo, Al Kalassa neighbourhood. The search for victims under the rubble following a raid by warplanes. (via SNN)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • The civil defense team pulling victims from under the rubble. Ten people have been pulled out alive so far. Al Kalassa 30/10/2015 (via Civil Defence)
  • Title: Shaam, Aleppo, Al Kalassa neighbourhood. The search for victims under the rubble following a raid by warplanes. (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 26
  • (18 children3 women)
  • 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

RS134

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, at least one civilian was killed and 10 injured, in dozens of alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes. The Observatory said it expected the death toll to rise, as some people were left in a critical condition. A victim was later named by the VDC.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes shelled the middle of the neighbourhood with several rockets, which as well as killing one non-combatant destroyed two houses.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saeid al Ahmar
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Homs governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]