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

RS735

Incident date

March 17, 2016

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, Hozaifa Hasan al Enaizan, from the village of Tabya Shameih was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mahimideh, Deir ez-Zour, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that he died after the explosion of a cluster bomb left from a previous Russian bombing.

Four other sources also named the child and blamed Russia for his death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hozaifa Hasan al Enaizan
Child male killed

Summary

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

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS767

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

حي طريق الباب, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that warplanes targeted al Shi’ar and Tareeq al-Bab, Aleppo, killing up three civilians and wounding several, inlcluding children. Among others, the Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that “three others were killed in the neighborhoods of al Shi’ar and Tareeq al bab”

It was however contested who carried out the strikes. The SNN pointed to Russia but later reported that the warplanes belonged to both the Assad regime and Russia, the Twitter account Samirmaleh pointed to the Assad regime, while several sources did not identify the responsible.

The VDC named one civilian victim as Hasan al Amouri, a Aleppo City Council worker, but did not specify who the culprit was.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The beginning of the video reportedly shows the aftermath of the bombings in Al-Sha’ar (via M.H.N.N)
  • Video showing the White Helmet's rescuing civilians out of the rubble following the airstrikes (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
    1 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS800

Incident date

May 17, 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

At least three civilians including one child died in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

According to LCCSY, “several” Russian raids killed five civilians and wounded more. Syria7ra also blamed Russia on Twitter.

However, many other sources said the Syrian regime was responsible for the raids. Shaam News Network said the regime carried out two raids with vacuum missiles, leading to the death of three non-combatants, including one child, and the wounding of many others. Enab News reported that “seven warplane raids in Ar-Rastan killed 3 civilians and wounded 15.”

Three victims, killed by “warplanes” were named by the VDC.

Yaroub Aldaly tweeted a link to a YouTube video (GRAPHIC) by Homs AlRastan, saying “A sister searches from her brother before she recognizes him. Martyr Nidal Mousilli, died in warplane shelling in Ar-Rastan.” His name was also mentioned in a tweet by Abobyanalrastan.

Homs Alrastan posted three other (graphic) videos on YouTube, showing the dead and wounded after the strikes on Ar-Rastan.

A day after the raids, on the 18th, Eldorar news reported: “Today three civilans died from wounds they suffered in yesterday’s 17th, warplane shelling of Ar-Rastan.” This would put the death toll at six.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Casualties from the air strike.e
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Martyr Nidal Moselly
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Airstrikes on Al-Rastan
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured taken to hospital.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    a number of civilians killed due to the airstrikes
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Nidal Moselli

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 May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS833

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Sixteen civilians including several children and four women died in airstrikes on Al Buliyal, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime, with a number of sources not naming a culprit.

LCCSY said that 15 civilians including four women and a child died when Russian warplanes struck a residential neighborhood.

According to Mwso3a, ten civilians were killed and at least 20 others wounded in Russian strikes. Media activist Badr Al-khalaf said there had been five raids.

Syrianevent1 put the death toll at 16 and blamed Russia. Qasioun also blamed Russia.

However, many other sources – including Syrian News Desk, Fresh Syria, Syrian mirror, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – said that the regime were responsible. Death counts varied between 14 and 16, with Syrian Mirror reporting that as many as 25 other non-combatants were injured.

The Shaam News Network reported that warplanes (unidentified) struck the town before Friday prayers, killing 16 civilians – including women – and wounding dozens more.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at 15, including four women, but did not say who was to blame.

Likewise, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently referred only to “warplanes“, but named multiple victims.

“As well as 5 other martyrs whose names we haven’t yet received and more than ten wounded.

Yones_salameh named an seven additional victims killed by “warplanes”.

Alnateq2 named two additional victims, again allegedly killed by unidentified warplanes.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at 15 including two children and three women.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Idad Fajir Sheikh
Adult female killed
Morshed al Hayes abu Mohammad
Adult killed
Daham al Asmar al Kandah
Adult killed
Mohammad Matar al Sheikh
Adult male killed
Mohammad Khaleef al Bassis
Adult male killed
Sabouha al Mousa, the wife of Adnan al Tufah
Adult female killed
Mohammad Obeid al Hilal
Adult male killed
Ibrahim al Silal Abu al Loma
Adult killed
Son of Mohammed Al-hamoud Al-af’fat
Child male killed
Son of Ubaeid Al-hilal
Child male killed
Abu-Alluma
Adult male A senior displaced from Al-hamediya and residing in Albulel killed
Son of Wa’ed Ramadan Nseeb Al-ateya
Child male killed
Daughter of Ayesh Al-bannawah
Adult female killed
Son-in-law of Ayesh Al-bannawah
Adult male killed
Abdur-Rahman Habadi
Adult killed
Al-Abdullah Al-shihab
Adult killed
Adult female died later of her injuries killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 16
  • (1–2 children3–4 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "at least 15 civilians were killed in regime warplanes shelling on Buhalahel neighbourhood in Albulel town inDeir ez-Zor on 3rd of June" (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • "Countryside of Deir ez-Zor: Albulel: the number of marytrs in Albulel massacre has risen to 16 and there are 4 serious injuries in hospital" (Tweet by @EuphratesPost)
  • "The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights: warplanes belonging to the regime killed at least 15 civilians, including four women and a child in the town of Deir ez-Zor province Albulel" (Tweet by @albader_m)
  • "Abdur-Rahman Habadi Al-ABdullah Al-shihab was killed in the aerial raids on Albulel today" (Tweet by @alnateq2)
  • "martyrdom of 15 civilians due to Russian warplane shelling on Al-warida neighbourhood in Albulel" (Tweet by @AlSharqia24)
  • "The first death toll to the martyrs in Albulel who were killed in warplanes today are: 1- Murshed El-hayes Abu Mohammed 2- Dah’ham Alasmar Al-kandah..." List continued via Facebook link. (Tweet by @yonesSalama)
  • Names of alleged killed in Albulel (via Facebook post by Yones Salama)
  • "15 martyrs in a massacre by wareplanes on Albulel town in Deir ez-Zor" (Tweet by @syriahr)
  • "16 martyrs in Albulel massacre by Russian warplanes" (Tweet by @SYRIANEVENT1)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has not reported any strikes between June 1st – 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
    15 – 16
  • (1–2 children3–4 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS865

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

دوار جسر الحج, Jisr al Haj roundabout (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1839796, 37.1475876 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Jisr al Haj at three civilians – though it did not say whether the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible.

Smart and Shahba Press also attributed the incident to Russia.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also put the death toll at three but did not apportion blame.

But other sources including Eldorar and Alaraby blamed the regime.

SMO Syria blamed both Russian and regime raids, while other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets find bodies underneath the rubble at Jisr Al Haj, Aleppo (Youtube by Buraq Media)
  • Alleged warplane shelling on Jisir Al Haj (Tweet by @HalabTodayTV)
  • A report on presence of warplanes, helicopters and barrel bombs in the region. (Facebook video by SNN)

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 June 1st – 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
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS897

Incident date

June 13, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five or six civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on idlib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime – or possibly both parties.

An initial report by The Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the “medical center in the vicinity of the Directorate of Education building in the city of Idlib”, killing five civilians and wounding 10 more.

However, in a video report by Shaam, a member of the White Helmets says that both Russian and regime planes hit the same location.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at five, and reporting that missiles were fired on a White Helmet’s ambulance, damaging it.

A further report by SN4HR said that “government warplanes missiles fired on Al Mashtal Park in Idlib city, causing fires, and damaging its facilities“.

Step put the death toll higher, at six non-combatans, but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

@ogygensy and Syrian Mirror attributed the incident to Russia, with Syrian Mirror reporting that a medical center was targeted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "0’12” white helmet: says regime planes with their Russian allies hit the same place twice. There are five martyrs and one injured" (Youtube by SNN)

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 June 1st – 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
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]