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

RS3573

Incident date

January 4, 2019

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Around 11 pm in the night of January 4th, 2018, alleged Russian airstrikes targeted the villages of Dera Azza, Urm Al Kubra, Al Rashidin and Rehab Al Mohandeseen.

In the village Darat Izza, up to three civilians of the Qadili family were killed, including a father and son, while several more civilians were reportedly wounded.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the suspected Russian planes “fired missiles near a chicken house sheltering IDPs in the west of Darat Izza city in Aleppo governorate” – killing three civilians including a child.

According to AMC, “two civilians (a child and his father) were killed, Friday evening [Jan 4th], by a Russian air strike targeting the city of Dara Azza in the countryside of west Aleppo.”

Multiple sources, such as Step News Agency, reported that several civilians had been injured in the strikes.

The incident occured at approximately 10:14 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

One person from the Qadili family
killed
A child from the Qadili family
Child male killed
One person from the Qadili family

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • News report on alleged Russian airstrikes on Darat Azza and Urum Al-Kubra in Aleppo (via Jisir TV).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Darat Azza (via LCCsy).
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Darat Azza (via SCD Aleppo).

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 attacker
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2256

Incident date

May 25, 2017

Location

دبسي عفنان, Debsi Afnan, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.8175348, 38.2162857 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians were killed and a woman was wounded in two alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes against the town of Debsi Afnan in the western Raqqa countryside, according to local activists and sources. In reporting the estimate of two killed, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently acknowledged that it was the initial toll.

Conflicting reports were given by local media as to who was responsible for carrying out the airstrikes. The majority of sources, including @Mohab_Nasser2 (journalist from Tabaqa Media Centre) and @Sharqiya_voice, attributed the airstrikes to Russian planes. However, other sources, including RBSS and Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that the regime was to blame for the raids on Debsi Afnan.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef al-Faraj
35 years old male killed
Mohammed al-Khalif al-Faraj
30 years old male killed
Zakur Ibrahim al-Khalifa al-Faraj
21 years old killed

Summary

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

  • Image of Yousef al-Faraj, killed in airstrikes against the town of Debsi Afnan on May 25th, 2017 (via @SN4HR)
  • Image of Yousef al-Faraj, killed in airstrikes against the town of Debsi Afnan on May 25th, 2017 (via Al Ragga Truth Facebook)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS2262

Incident date

May 27–28, 2017

Location

القسطل, al Qastal village, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

33.924276, 36.69632 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were killed and four others wounded in an aerial ‘bombardment’ of the village of Al Qastal in Hama Governorate on the 27th or 28th of April 201, according to local media

The wounded sought treatment at hospitals in Deir Al-Zour. The casualties included women and children, but their identities are unknown.

Sources laid the blame on the Syrian regime and the Russians for these strikes, in which warplanes reportedly also shelled the villages of Jarouh, Al-‘Albawi and Dikila, in the area of ​​Aqirbat, according to Smart News.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2061

Incident date

April 3, 2017

Location

الهبيط, al Habeet, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.4379459, 36.5379524 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians – a mother and her two children – died and up to 20 more were wounded in an alleged Russia or Assad regime airstrike on al Habeet, according to sources on the ground.

According to the Step News Agency, “Russian warplanes targeted the town of Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib with twenty-three air-to-surface missile and concussion strikes on Monday evening April 3, causing the deaths of two children and their mother”.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “The children Ahmad and Mariam Abdulla al Abood were killed when suspected Russian warplanes fired missiles on the southern neighborhood in al Habeit village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs on April 3, 2017.”

However, Syria News Desk pointed to the Assad regime, citing a large number of injured civilians, a fifth of them children. According to this source, “in the southern Idlib countryside, 20 civilians were injured, including five children, yesterday night [April 3rd], as a result regime helicopters dropping two barrels containing chlorine poison gas on the opposition town of Habeet”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Abdulla al Abood
Child male killed
Mariam Abdulla al Abood
Child killed
Mother of the two Abdulla al Abood children
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhan or Habayt or and Tel Asas west. The source didn't clarify the location shown in the image (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Sheikhan or Habayt or and Tel Asas west. The source didn't clarify the location shown in the image (via White Helmets)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3594

Incident date

March 1, 2019

Location

خان شيخون,, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians including a child died and four or five others were wounded in a heavy bombardment of Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed the Assad regime, though there were also allegations against Russia.

The heavy shelling reportedly encompassed rockets, artillery and airstrikes. Multiple sources noted that up to 130 artillery shells and rockets hits residential neighbourhoods of the city, resulting in fires to civilian homes and infrastructure and widespread destruction.

According to the White Helmets, who published multiple images depicting the aftermath of the attacks, “two men died and four others were wounded in heavy shelling with more than 130 artillery shells and missiles, targeting the residential neighbourhoods of Khan Sheikhoun city.”

The White Helmets worked to both inspect the sites and rescue victims – and were reportedly struck during the rescue attempts, though the damage in this case was only material.

Mena-monitor also put the death toll at two civilians, adding that this included a child.

Geiroon also reported from the city, stating that “the Syrian regime on Friday [March 1st], the Syrian regime bombed the town of Khan Sheikhan in the southern Idlib countryside with more than 80 rockets, some of them by the air force, some by rocket launchers. The city is now almost empty of residents, activists and eyewitnesses said.”

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the regime shelled “near the al Rawda Mosque in the al Sharqi neighbourhood”, partially destroying the building.

While most sources attributed the strikes to Assad, there were also claims against Russia. For example, Smart reported that “the commander of Civil Defense Center in Khan Sheikhoun, Khalid Al Najim, said that forces belonging to the regime to Russia targeted residential neighbourhoods in the city with more than 116 rocket shells, killing two young people, and moderately wounding four others, who were taken to a nearby medical point”.

Baladi pointed to “the forces of the regime and its military militias”.

Amnesty International also reported on the shelling: “Amnesty International also interviewed four residents from Khan Sheikhoun, south of Idlib, who said the vast majority of residents had been displaced after escalating airstrikes and artillery attacks in February which had destroyed or damaged homes and other buildings, including two bakeries and medical clinics located in residential buildings. A civil defence volunteer said: ‘The al-Rawda bakery, the central bakery in Khan, was destroyed in an airstrike attack on 11:30 AM. I removed the bodies of two men who died in the explosion in front of the bakery on the street.” Residents stated that there was no longer any operational hospital in Khan Sheikhoun after an airstrike had destroyed the only field hospital in the town in February 2018. The closest hospital is 20 kilometres away in Maarat al Numan.”

Commenting on the ongoing strikes on the city, Jisrtv said that the additional two civilians deaths in this particular incident on March 1st had brought “the number of civilian deaths in Khan Sheikhoun to 48 since the start of the bombing campaign on the city on February 9th”.

The incident occured at approximately 11:30 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'Shocking scenes' following strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The moment a strike hit Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.
  • 'A violent rocket attack by the Assad terrorist gangs on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, south of Idlib'
  • Translation: 'Activists More than 85 rockets landed on # Khan Sheikhoun until the moment.'
  • Translation: '80 missiles on Khan Shaykhun Oh Allah peace be upon you'

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl wounded in a strike on Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.
  • Images from the White Helmets in the aftermath of strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.. The White Helmets said that more than 130 artillery shells and missiles had "targeted" neighbourhoods of the city.
  • More footage showing the aftermath of strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.
  • Footage from the Step News Agency showi9ng the immediate aftermath of the strikes on Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019.
  • "Heavy artillery and missiles" from "the criminal regime" hitting Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019 (via Ebaa)
  • "Heavy artillery and missiles" from "the criminal regime" hitting Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2019 (via Ebaa)
  • An ambulance reportedly shelled by the regime in Khan Sheikhoun, March 1st 2018 (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child reportedly injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, 2019 (via @shmal123456).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteer extinguishing fire after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, 2019 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, 2019 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers on the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, 2019 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers extinguishing fire after alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on Khan Sheikhoun on March 1st, 2019 (via @SyriaCivilDefe).

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 child1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (33) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS197

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three non-combatants including two women were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a farm 7km from the city of Qaryatain. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as providing shelter to internally displaced civilians.

The VDC named two victims, and  SN4HR named the third victim who was named byrom Haraween in Homs

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aysheh Ahmad al-Hajji al-Saleibi
Adult female named by vdc killed
Hafizah Zaeim al-Sabrah
Adult female named by vdc killed
Aeid Sameer Sawan
Age unknown male named by SN4RH killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. 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

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the 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
    3
  • (2 women1 man)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS678

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three civilians including one female child died in an alleged Russia airstrike on Arbeen, according to local sources.

Arabstoday, Baladi, DCHRS and Smart reported Russian raids on Arbeen. Baladi said that one female child was killed. Other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, while Freeqabon reported “artillery shelling”.

Erbinrevo named Ismaeil Haj Youssef as a victim, “due to Mig warplanes shelling in Arbeen”. He was also named in in a contested strike in Douma on the same day. Two victims – killed “due to air forces shelling” were listed by the VDC including one Unidentified – adult, male.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ismael Haj Yousef
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ismael Haj Yousef, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)
  • White Helmets drive to the scene in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raid. (via, The White Helmets)
  • The exact moments the raid struck. (via, Baladi News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3436

Incident date

May 19, 2018

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk Refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.473938, 36.300631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Smart News Agency reported that three civilians, among them one child and a woman, were killed after alleged Russian airstrikes on Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus governorate, on May 19th 2018.

Smart wrote that “two women, one old, and one child were killed by the shelling that targeted a residential basement in the camp. [Local activists] said that the victims were from Deir Ezzor and resided in Al Tadamon district, but fled to the camp to escape the fighting and the shelling.”

Currently, further details are unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]