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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Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS229

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.353889, 36.558333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mohammad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Ghusoun Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Najah Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Samer Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Arbain, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.353889, 36.558333. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS262

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News report on the event. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

RS295

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189

Airwars assessment

Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the regime on the outskirts of Khan Tuman.

Fresh Syria said the death toll was 15 “and many seriously injured, most of them taken to field hospitals on the Turkish border.” Smart News said the town was hit by “rockets and heavy bombs.” And the opposition Aleppo Media Centre reported that “Russian occupation aircraft fired six missiles on the main road in the town of Kfernaha, causing the martyrdom of at least 15 civilians and the wounding of more than 25 others – in addition to the burning of a number of cars and the demolishing of shops.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd 2016, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • 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

RS327

Incident date

December 28, 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

Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft over the city.”

They noted that the raids focused on the vital centres of Palmyra – the main electricity directorate, Heer Palacen and the salt factories in the industrial area as well as the archaeological area – and that dozens were wounded in addition to those that died.

According to the Network the raids also caused massive destruction in residential areas as the planes were using highly explosive rockets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 40 Russian airstrikes targeting the town of Mahin – the electricity management area, Qasr al-Her school, Tadmur city and al-Sena’ia area, killing four civilians, including a child.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Musaab Ali Batman al-Assad al-Nazar
Adult male killed
Abd al-Monem al-Asad al-Nazer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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

RS359

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

سفلانية, Suflaniyah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.40929, 37.57825 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including three women and two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saflaneh, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Laian Mohammad Raglan
Child female killed
Nour Mohammad Raglan
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Samiha Abdo Rostom
Adult female killed
Mahdia Ahmad al-Barho
Adult female killed
Rana Jihad Ramo
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children3 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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children3 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS391

Incident date

January 15, 2016

Location

دير العصافير, Dayr al Asafeer, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.465278, 36.419722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to nine civilians including one to two women and two children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr al Asafeer, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the White Helmets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that eight non-combatants including one woman and two children were killed and others injured when “warplanes believed to be Russian bombed areas on the outskirts of the town of Deir al-Asafir in the Eastern Ghouta.” They added that one female victim was still be identified, and that the attack had left some people in a critical condition, meaning that the death toll was likely to rise.

According to the White Helmets, there were two raids by Russian warplanes using vacuum missiles, leading to “great destruction of buildings.” They put the death toll at nine, including one woman and two children. VDC instead blamed unspecified aircraft.

Nine victims were listed by VDC and the White Helmets including one unknown woman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ali Sa’ad Al Deen
Child male from the town of Zabdein killed
Mohammad Sa’ad Al Deen
Child male from the town of Zabdein killed

Family members (2)

Bashir Fayyad Khattab
Adult male killed
Mohammad Fayad Khattab
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Muneera Salem
Adult female killed
Yahiya Rasheed
Adult male killed
Hussam Sleiman
Adult male killed
Ali Saj
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2 children1–2 women5 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • An injured woman is carried by members of the Civil Defence into an ambulance. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage with an interview showing the exact moments the airstrike hit Dayra al Asafeer, and civilian casualties in a medical facility in the aftermath. (via, Quasion News Agency)
  • A video showing the exact moments that the airstrike fell. (via, Quasion News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing deceased children and seriously injured civilians, in the immediate aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Quasion News Agency)
  • A video showing the exact moments that the airstrike fell. (via, AIR STRIKES DEIR AL A’ASSAFIR- ABOU KASEM)
  • An elderly injured woman is carried away from her home which was ruined by alleged Russian airstrikes which targeted the town of Dayr al Asafeer. (via, Damascus Media Office)

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 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (2 children1–2 women5 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS423

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and seven civilians including two children died in an alleged Russian strike on Al Hissan, according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported on “more than 20 strikes on the western countryside of Deir Ezzor“, which included details on an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Hissan.

Deir Ezzor24 said that strikes on both Hussainiya (see above) and Al Hissan were carried out by Russia. 

At 0.20 – .030 in a video published by Al Jisr Satellite Channel they said: “Russian air force conducted raids on the village of alHussayniah, Hussan and el Gneinah in the western countryside of Deir el Zour which resulted in civilian martyrs and wounded.”

Media activist “Saad al-Dairi” told Al A’an TV that Russian warplanes carried out raids in neighborhoods of Deir ez-Zor on Jan 20th, including a strike on Al Hissan in which two civilians died.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Son of Hassan Al Kreidat 1
Child male named by Deir Ezzor killed
Son of Hassan Al Kreidat 2
Child male named by Deir Ezzor killed

The victims were named as:

Khaled Al Fadila
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor killed
Mohammad Al Ka’awood
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor killed
Faress Thabet Al Zara’
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor killed
Osama Al Hassoun
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor killed
Fares Thabet El Zare’e
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor killed
Mr. Osama Al Hassoun
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor killed
Fayez al-Shoukan
Age unknown named by LCCSY as killed by Russia killed
Firas Thabet al-Zaraa’
Age unknown named by LCCSY as killed by Russia killed
Khaled al-Fadilah
Age unknown named by LCCSY as killed by Russia killed
Muhammad al-Qaa’a
Age unknown male named by LCCSY as killed by Russia killed
Muhannad Saleh al-Ali
Age unknown male named by LCCSY as killed by Russia killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian raid which killed between 5 and 7 civilians. (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 20 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Deir ez-Zor governorate: “In the course of the last day, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 16 combat sorties engaging 57 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS457

Incident date

January 24, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 13 and 19 civilians including 10 children and three women died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources.

Syrian News Desk reported that at least 19 civilians died and more than 30 were wounded when Russian warplanes fired “cluster rockets” on the city “to coincide with helicopter dumping barrel bombs“.

The source explained that most of the victims were killed in the bombing, which targeted a the place where the buses were positioned in the city center. This led to a number of vehicles being burnt out and those inside them dying.

Halab News Network also blamed Russia.

Al Souria said seven died and 20 were injured – most of them critically – in an aerial bombardment on a garage in Al Bab, though they did not say who was responsible.

According to Syrian Press Center, Russia conducted five raids on the city.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported Russian strikes and casualties, but did not provide any further information.

The Violations Documentation Center named seven victims (killed in Russian shelling) as:

They also listed six unidentified victims:

Unidentified 1 – adult, female

Unidentified 2 – child, male

Unidentified 3 – child, male

Unidentified 4 – child, male

Unidentified 5 – child, male

Unidentified 6 – child, male

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Fatemah Mohammad Romo
Child female killed
Hamza Mohammad Romo
Child male killed
Abo Baker Mohammad Romo
Child male killed
Sidrah Mohammad Romo
Child female killed
Muna Mohammad Romo
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Asmaa al-Ashqar
Adult female killed
Sameiah Merrawi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 19
  • (10 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the airstrike hit Al Bab, 22nd January 2016. (via, Al Souria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 19
  • (10 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]