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

RS1194

Incident date

August 27, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Daret Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died and eight others were wounded in airstrike son Daret Izza, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Smart News Agency reported that “Russian warplanes launched two air missiles on a residential area in the town of Darat Izza morning, killing five civilians and wounding eight others, according to the transfer of civil defense”.

The Syrian Civil Defense reported that Daret Izza was hit with “three consecutive strikes, followed by two Balistic rockets”.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights – who blamed the Assad regime for the attacks – Taha Shawkat Al Helo was a media activist. Other sources also reported that this was the case, with some further reports also listing Imad Ali Shaaban as a media activist. However, one source, All4Syria, reported that both men were ”militants”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male some sources call him a media activist, others name him a militant killed
Adult male some sources call him a media activist, others name him a militant killed
Age unknown male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Taha Shawkat Al Helo, 22 years old, a media activist, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Deret Izza. (via, SN4HR)
  • Ahmed Mohiuddin Hamou, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Deret Izza. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Imad Ali Shaaban, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Deret Izza. (via, VDC)

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 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
  • (2–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–8
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1226

Incident date

September 5, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a child and a woman died and as many as ten others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on al Rastan, according to local media.

Syria1news1 tweeted an image of a man crying over his sister’s body following a strike. Like a number of sources, the report didn’t identify the warplane responsible. But other reports attributed the event to Russia.

According to LCCSY, “a civilian was killed and ten others were wounded, including four children when Russian warplanes bombed Rastan town”.

Shahbla added that a child was also killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hasson
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A young man weeps over the body of his sister - allegedly killed in Russian airstrikes on al Rastan (Tweet via @syria1news1)
  • An elderly man in Al Rastan prays - he was injured in suspected Russian shelling (Youtube via Alrstn alrstn)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the body of Mohammed Hasson, a displaced person from Ghernata village, killed in alleged Russian shelling (Youtube via Homs Alrastan)
  • Bombing in Al Rastan - clouds of smoke rise after alleged strikes (Youtube via Qasioun)

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 strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–10
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1258

Incident date

September 11, 2016

Location

Umm Jeene, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.763229, 37.247772 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Qasioun, “three civilians were killed and others wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in both Um Jeene and Al-Hootah villages in the western countryside of Aleppo.”

The Step News Agency also put the death toll at three and blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1291

Incident date

September 20, 2016

Location

خان طومان, Khan Touman, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1177702, 37.0513916 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 14 and 18 civilians, mostly emergency doctors and nurses, were killed in an attack on a medical centre in Khan Tuman, Aleppo, local sources reported. Most reports alleged Russian warplanes were responsible for the attack, which specifically targeted the centre. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights also pointed to the regime in some posts.

According to Sky News Arabia, “the Russian air force raided the town of Khan Touman, around two hours after midnight, where a medical point of belonging to the union of relief organizations and medical care [UOSSM] was targeted, killing 14 people, including medical personnel, doctors, medics and ambulance drivers.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights stated that fixed-wing warplanes “we believe are Russian” executed the strike – though there was some confused reporting, for in several other posts SN4HR blamed “regime shelling”.

Shaam News Network reported that “ambulance crews rushed to the target location to rescue the injured and take them to medical hospitals, but they came under direct bombardment during the performance of their tasks.”

Halab News Network (HNN) identified nine civilian fatalities – all reportedly rescue workers – in its list of martyrs.
In addition, HNN said eight other rescue workers were killed but were unable to identify them. Five of them were reportedly members of the Union of Medical Care and Relief Organizations (UOSSM).

Syria News Desk added that over a dozen civilians were wounded, some left in a  critical condition. Some had reportedly been in the ambulances already when the medical centre was hit.

Finally, @baladinetwork tweeted four photographs of damage to the medical centre and ambulances.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Tarek al Homsi
Adult male killed
Abu al Teeb al Homsi
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Abu Abdallah Sabouniye
Adult male killed
Abu Mahmoud
Adult male killed
Abu Hasan Tubbiye
Adult male killed
Abu al Mu’tassem Othman
Adult male killed
Abu Hanifa
Adult male killed
Abu Ibrahim
Adult killed
Mohammad Ahmad al Yusuf
Adult male killed
Abd al Rahman Mnafihi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 18
  • (10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The contested strikes reportedly destroyed a medical center in Khan Touma, Aleppo, including an ambulance (via Baladi Network)

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 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
    14 – 18
  • (10 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1323

Incident date

September 23, 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

Four or five civilians were killed in alleged Russian raids on the Kafr Hamra neighborhood of Aleppo. Four civilians were named by HNN, including two children and a woman.

The first three civilians were also mentioned by name by @NewsFlashAleppo. Microsyria said that attacks by Russian planes “martyred three civilians from one family.” @HalabTodayTV, tweeting on the same day as the attack, said many were “wounded and trapped under the rubble.” @Syriamubasher tweeted that three were killed and “several” wounded. SNHR also reported that two children and a woman were killed.

A White Helmets YouTube video showed a small child, covered in dust, being pulled from the rubble. Qasioun News said five were killed in the attack.

@thiqanewsagency posted a photograph of a building completely destroyed by bombing. Their tweet said five were wounded.

Almost every source claimed Russian war planes were responsible for the bombing. For instance, @eldorar1 referred to Russian warplanes, while Al Jazeera used the phrase “Russian aviation.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhannad Rajab al I’lo
Child killed
Rayan Rajab al I’lo
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Khuloud Mohammad Barghoud
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Ali Dwalibi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian child pulled from the rubble by The White Helmets in Kafr Hamra following suspected Russian shelling, Sept 23rd (Youtube via The White Helmets)
  • Significant material destruction in Kafr Hamra - the impact of suspected Russian bombardment, Sept 23rd (via @thiqanews agency)
  • A distressing image of a baby - pulled from the rubble in Kafr Hamra. Revealing the human cost of alleged Russian warplane shelling (via Alsharq)

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 strikes between September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1355

Incident date

September 26, 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

Between three and 13 civilians were reported killed alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least three civilians including a child died due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles firing on Bustan Al Qasr neighborhood in Aleppo city”

AleppoAMC posted a picture of a five-year-old child, whose dead body was recovered from the rubble.

But Halab News reported that the strike was conducted by helicopters, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out – while Shahed-alep said that the civilian harm was caused by artillery shelling.

Smart News put the death toll at 13 with six more injured, noting the use of cluster bombs in the attack.

However, most sources put the death toll at five.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bakri Sinda
5 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows many wounded civilians on the back of a vehicle in Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The human cost of alleged Russian warplane shelling. (Tweet via @mabw7773)
  • A photograph of Bakri Sinda who died in suspected Russian shelling on Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The child was pulled from the rubble by the Civil Defense team. (via @AleppoAMC)

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 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
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

RS1388

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

جب القبة, Jeb al Qubba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196949, 37.166987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

SMO News reported that “Russian warplanes shelling targeted Al-Shawqi hospital in Jib Al-Quba and destroyed it. Some people were killed and others wounded.”

Likewise Al-Jazeera reported how the hospital was left destroyed after the strikes.

There are no other details available at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage to Jib Al-Quba following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Shahba)

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 strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1421

Incident date

October 9, 2016

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three men died in an airstrike on the al-Salheen neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground. The majority of sources attributed the event to the Assad regime, though there was one allegation against Russia.

LCCSY reported that “three civilians were martyred and others were seriously injured due to Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on the Salihin neighbourhood”.

The use of cluster bombs was noted.

Most sources – Syria HR, All4Syria, Enab Baladi, Micro Syria, Halab Today and VDC – blamed the regime. However, LCCSY pointed to Russia as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Juneid
Age unknown reported that they were “activists”, identified by All4Syria killed
Ahmad Abu Alnoor
Age unknown male reported that they were “activists”, identified by All4Syria killed
Age unknown named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Damage to civilian homes in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Salheen, 9th October 2016. (via Thiqa)
  • Damage to civilian homes in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Salheen, 9th October 2016. (via Thiqa)
  • Damage to civilian homes in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Salheen, 9th October 2016. (via Thiqa)
  • Damage to civilian homes in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Salheen, 9th October 2016. (via Thiqa)

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 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
  • (3 men)
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]