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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
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Incident Code

RS122

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

الكركات, Al Karkat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.477006, 36.384919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

However Al Khul reported that six civilians died “after Russian planes last night targeted the village of Al Karkat near the town of Kala’at al Madik in the western countryside.” And the Shaam News Network reported local activists as saying that a Russian plane had targeted the village with two vacuum missiles, which led to the deaths of non-combatants and widespread destruction of property. The activists also predicted there was likely to be an increase in the number of deaths due to the severity of some injuries, but did not state how many civilians were injured. The Syrian Observatory also blamed Russia for the attack.

Four individually unnamed children of Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad were later reported by the VDC as having been killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Karkat (الكركات), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.477006, 36.384919. 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 has confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime

 The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS156

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory reported that four non-combatants were killed and ten people were injured (four seriously) in three alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun.

A video filmed in the immediate aftermath shows devastated civilian houses, with at least ten injured adults and children. A second video (below) shows the moment the airstrike hits Khan Sheikhoun.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibraheem al-Saloum
Adult male Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed
Najat Abdul Kader al-Merie
Adult female Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed
Meriam Khaled Obeid al-Kerdi
Adult female Named by the Violations Documentation Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 women1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Zaman News Agency: The moment t Khan Shekhan was hit by an alleged Russian airstrike
  • The aftermath of the raids on Khan Sheikhoun

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Idlib governorate on November 17th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 women1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS189

Incident date

November 25, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to three civilians were reported killed and several others injured (“most of them women and children”) in an alleged Russian air raid with vacuum missiles on the town of Jisr al Shughour, according to Radio Alkul. The local media organisation additionally reported that “The town was also struck by more than 50 rockets from Joreen camp [regime-controlled] which led to the death of one man and one woman.”

SHRC named one victim of a Russian strike. It also names four additional civilians killed by the regime.

The VDC also named another man as having been killed in the town, but blames “regime air forces’ shelling of Rabea Adawiye school.” Syria Net instead blamed the school attack on Russia, saying it killed one person and injured eight.

All4Syria blamed both the regime and Russia, noting: “Field sources reported that Russian aircraft flew over the countryside of Idlib in flocks, and carried out raids on the city targeting one of the city’s mosques and Rabea school, nearby houses and the city centre, killing three civilians including Abdel Halim Mohamed Sulaiman (44 years old.) Also wounded were more than a dozen civilians, including two women and three children in the school. This was followed a few hours later by regime forces stationed in the Goren camp in Hama targeting most of the city’s neighbourhoods. This killed two civilians and wounded others. Among those killed were Nasser Mohammed Bakri (45 years old) and his wife Susan (36 years).”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al Halim
Age unknown male named by SHRC killed
 Abdulhaleem Mohammd Suliman
Adult male named by vdc killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit Jisr al-Shughour, Nov 25th (via JMC)
  • The Civil Defense attend the scene of an airstrike in Jisr al-Shughour, Nov 25th (via Syrian Civil Defense in Idlib Governorate)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS221

Incident date

December 3, 2015

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

Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians.

All six victims have been named.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ihssan Karnaba
Age unknown killed
Osama Al Toam
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Al Zaghlul
Child male killed
Wissam el Habet
Child killed
Moayed Alarbiniyah
Age unknown killed
Nabil Jazzar
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the destruction in Abeen. (via, All4Syria)
  • Video footage which includes graphic images of the victims. (via, All4Syria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen, for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. 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 carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS254

Incident date

December 10, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three adult males were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita.

The victims were named by the VDC.

While most described the trio as civilians, one tweet said they were rebel fighters with the group Ajnad al Sham.

Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Ahmad Mohammad al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Mustafa Emad al-Aboud
Adult male killed
Mahmoud Ahmad al-Aboud
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video with sound footage of airstrikes falling on Kafr Zita. (via, Revolutionary Command Counter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Deceased body of Ahmad Mohammad Al A’bboud, following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, The Syrian revolution in the town of Kafr Zita)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The bodies of three adult males. This tweet suggests that the deceased are Islamist Militants. The tweet states that "Ajnad al Sham" announces the death, which is the name of an Islamist Militant Group. (via, Husain)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. 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 is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

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
    1
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS287

Incident date

December 17, 2015

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 four and nine civilians were reported killed and 2 to 25 injured in an airstrike on Al Bab, according to multiple sources – though it is unclear whether regime shelling or Russian warplanes were responsible for the attacks.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that four non-combatants were killed and several others injured when warplanes “believed to be Russian” struck areas in Al Bab city in the northeastern countryside of Aleppo.

The IS agency Al A’maq stated that there had been four Russian raid which killed nine non-combatants and wounded 25. The Shaam News Network also put the death toll at nine.

But the Syrian Network for for Human Rights blamed regime shelling for the casualties, reporting that at least four civilians were killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. 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

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]