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

RS1331

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

ارض الحمرا, Ard Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.229216, 37.208977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and 25 civilians died and up to another 25 were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Ard Hamra neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to local media.

HNN named two of the victims, and added that six others were unidentified.

All4Syria reported the highest casualty count with 25 saying: “The largest number of victims was in Ard Hamra district, which was targeted with cluster bombs, warplanes and missiles, which caused the deaths of more than 25 civilians.”

Most other sources provided much lower numbers, such as Al Jazeera who reported that “eight were killed by the Russian raids on Ard Hamra and Alsakhur in Aleppo.”

A number of other sources didn’t apportion blame. For example, @MasarPressNet reported “the martyrdom and wounding of about 20 civilians after the bombing with rockets and cluster stereochemistry on the Ard Hamra neighborhood”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Safaa Karim
Child killed
Mahmoud al Mohammad
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 25
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from 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

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 25
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–25
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1363

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Location

بلاط, Al Balat, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1588412, 37.3539439 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, possibly a woman and her child, were reported killed in an airstrike on the Al Balat neighbourhood in Aleppo.

Most sources said that two people were killed. According to so_ria98, these were a mother and her child.

Step News Agency reported: “The city of Aleppo today [Sept 29th] witnessed heavy shelling by Russian warplanes and helicopters with explosive barrels,” which indicates involvement of both Russia and the Syrian regime.

According to various sources several people were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1396

Incident date

October 3, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to seven civilians died and dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in al Sakhour, Aleppo, according to local media.

Most sources claimed that six or seven civilians were killed, among these hospital staff and civil defense workers.

Syria News Desk provided details from the incident, reporting that “seven construction workers were killed and more than a dozen others injured, including civilians, at noon today [Oct 3rd], in a Russian airstrike on a  field hospital in the Al sakhur neighbourhood”.

An Aleppo resident, Said Mohammed Fadel, told Syria News Desk that the victims were construction workers: “The workers were renovating the hospital building, which was put out of service yesterday because of the destruction”.

Also, TRT al-arabiya reported that out of the seven victims, “five of them were builders and two were medical staff”.

According to local sources, such as el-Wehda and Sada al-sham, members of the civil defense were also among the victims.

Halab News Network (who counted six civilian casualties following the raid) named four of the six.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yusuf Badi
Age unknown male named by Halab News Network killed
Mohammad Houriya
Age unknown male named by Halab News Network killed
Abu Haydar
Age unknown named by Halab News Network killed
Sami Baidoun
Age unknown named by Halab News Network killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Al-Sakhour hospital was struck by an alleged Russian raid on October 3rd 2016. (via, Orient News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via Elwehda)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AA)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)
  • Attempts to clear the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Skahour hospital. (via AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1429

Incident date

October 11, 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

In what local media described as a ‘massacre’, 52 civilians including up to 10 children and seven women died and dozens more were wounded in airstrikes on Bustan al-Qasr  in Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime. There were reports of bunker-busting missiles and helicopters being used in the attacks.

According to The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR), “the death toll rose to at least 40 including 10 children and five women due to suspected Russian warplanes firing missiles on Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo city”.

Multiple sources said that residential buildings were destroyed, leaving many civilians trapped under the rubble. According to Revolution Syria, a children’s medical center was struck, while IranArabSpring reported that “a children’s school’ was shelled.

Shahed Ayan reported that “warplanes fired five missiles at residential building in Bustan Al-Qaser and killed 25 civilians and wounded more than 30”. However, according to Halab News Network (HNN) and Video Documentation Center Syria (VDC) the total number of victims rose to 52, and the two media identified the names of 47 of the victims.

The exact number of wounded also varied, but as shown above, most sources reported put the number at between 20 and 30. The Twitter account Mhridadnikiskyar identified one of the injured as the child Raghad Ibrahim.

Most sources – VDC, Ara News, Syria Press Center, ShahbaPress, SN4HR, LCCSY and Step News Agency – blamed Russia. Only one sources. al-Hal, pointed to the Assad regime, while Human Rights Watch, Orient News, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shaam News Network attributed the event to both Russia and the Assad regime.

Halab News Network and VDC named 47 victims and also listed 5 unidentified males.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abd al-Hadi Mardanli
Adult male killed
Sister of Abd al-Hadi Mardanli
Adult female

Family members (3)

Alae Moneer Meshemshan
Adult male killed
Mohammad Alae Moneer Meshemshan
Adult male killed
The wife of Alaa Mishmshan
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Yousef Khaled Ein al-Shams
Adult male killed
Khaled Mohammad Ein al-Shams
Adult killed

Family members (7)

Hasan Deeb
Adult male killed
Sojoud Deeb
Adult male killed
Ahed Deeb
Adult male killed
Bader al-Deen Deeb
Adult male killed
Mohammad Rabei Deeb
Adult male killed
Wardshan Deeb
Adult male killed
Adeeb Deeb
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Mustapha A’raj
Adult male killed
Mukhliss Mustapha A’raj
Adult male killed

Family members (8)

Ahmad Jakel
Adult male killed
Sobhi Mohammad Jakel
6 years old male killed
Laith Mohammad Jakel
Child male
Mohammad Abdallah Jakel
Adult male killed
Majid Sobhi Jakel
Adult male killed
Wife of Majid Sobhi Jakel 1
Adult female killed
Wife of Majid Sobhi Jakel 2
Adult female killed
The mother of Sobhi Jakel
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Mohammad Jamil Eij
Adult male killed
Ammar Mohammad Eij
Adult male killed
Saleh Mohammad Eij
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Ammar Khayyat
Child female killed
Hadi Khayyat
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Ahmad Jamil Fleiss
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdo Fleiss
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mohammad Fleiss
4 months old years old male killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al-Ismaeil
Adult male killed
Abd al-Qader Saleh Hamdan
Adult male killed
Anas Arbas
Adult male killed
Alae Amin Jlailati
Adult female killed
Samae Abd al-Razzaq Shihaiber
Adult female killed
Mohammad Hlaiwi
15 years old male killed
Naeim Raei
Adult male killed
Diae Nasri
Adult male killed
Saleh Karyawi
13 years old male killed
Yusuf Boudka
Adult male killed
Mujeeb Safi
50 years old male killed
Omar Jamil Abu Hashish
Adult male killed
Amin Mohammad Hamami
35 years old male killed
Noura Sabbagh
Adult female killed
Abdo Abd al Rahman Harhar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52
  • (7–10 children7 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–35
  • 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 (34) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Amin Mohammed Hemami, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman and a young boy mourn over the death of two children in the aftermath of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid, 11th October 2016. (via Enab Baladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby is rescued from the sight of the alleged raid of Bustan al Qasr, Oct 11th (via Syrian PC)
  • A photo showing the extent of the destruction on Bustan al Qasr in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via Zakaria Nassani)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two children, victims of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustain al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via Syrian Revolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously disturbing footage of a family grieving over the loss of their children. (via, the video is taken from Thiqa but published by Shahed-Ayan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child named Raghad Ibrahim awaits medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via IranArabSpring)
  • Children in shock cry on the side of the road in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid non Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via IranArabSpring)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child awaits medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via IranArabSpring)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage of children and adults being attended to in a medical facility in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Shahed_Ayan)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child awaits medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via SyriaArwad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Inured children receive medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via SyriaArwad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child awaits medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via SyriaArwad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man holds a deceased baby in his arms. (via SyriaArwad)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child named Raghad Ibrahim awaits medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via Mhridadnikiskyar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of members of the White Helmets digging civilian casualties from the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via Thiqa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of members of the White Helmets digging civilian casualties from the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via CDS)
  • Civilians and White Helmets attempt to begin clearing the rubble in Bustan al Qasr. (via Thiqa)
  • Civilians and White Helmets attempt to begin clearing the rubble in Bustan al Qasr. (via Thiqa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian casualties remain trapped under the rubble in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr. (via Thiqa)
  • Civilians and White Helmets attempt to begin clearing the rubble in Bustan al Qasr. (via Thiqa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty is carried from the scene. (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is carried into a medical facility to receive care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via AbuAlhudaHomsi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Inured children receive medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via AbuAlhudaHomsi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Inured children receive medical care in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr, 11th October 2016. (via AbuAlhudaHomsi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man receiving medical treatment. (via AbuAlhudaHomsi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A family mourn over the death of two children in the aftermath of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid, 11th October 2016. (via Shehab)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A family mourn over the death of two children in the aftermath of the alleged Russian or Syrian regime raid, 11th October 2016. (via Shehab)
  • Saleh AHmad Ejj, from Darrat Izza, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Bustan al Qasr. (via Anas AlHage)
  • Rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SNN)
  • Rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SNN)
  • Rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty is carried from the scene in the aftermath of the raid. (via SNN)
  • Rubble in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    52
  • (7–10 children7 women37 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–35
  • 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

RS1461

Incident date

October 15, 2016

Location

Karam al Tarab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19611111, 37.20944444 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or more civilians died and an unspecified number more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s Karam al Tarab neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground,

Only @Free_TV_SYRIA gave specific casualty figures of two killed – and blamed Russia.

Other sources reported an unspecified number of deaths an injuries, mainly referring only to “warplanes”.

According to Syrian Press Centre, the Russian air force on Sunday [Oct 15th] launched rock-based attacks on the neighbourhoods of Haidariyah, Bab al-Nayrab, Sheikh Fares, Karam al-Tarab, al-Miser, Dahra Awwad, al-Jazmati, Qatana. There are dozens of people trapped under the rubble.”

Other sources reported violet clashes between regime and rebel groups on the outskirts of the neighbourhood. Muheet, for example, said that “the rebels are engaged in fierce battles against the forces of the regime and its militias on the front of Karam Tarab”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1493

Incident date

October 21, 2016

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

Two civilians died in a strike on farmland near Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Step News Agency, LCCSY, @Sy_Reporter and Shahba Press all blamed Russia – and put the number of civilians killed at two. However, many other sources reported that the regime had carried out strikes on the area.

According to Rozanafm, “Syrian warplanes launched successive air raids on the town of Ma’ar Shmareen east of the city of Maarat al-Nu’man after midnight, which also led to the deaths of seven people from one family and the destruction of a number of civilian houses. The air force also launched several air raids on the villages of Sheikh Mustafa, Nukir, Wahish, Hamediyah, Sarmin and Sarakin towns and the outskirts of Khan Sheikhoun, resulting in the death of a child in the village of Naquir and minor injuries in other areas.”

Al Jazeera also pointed to Assad, reporting that “rescue teams recovered the victims and wounded from the rubble and transported them to the field hospitals, while the regime raided the cities of Khan Sheikhoun and Srin and the villages of Sida and Hamidiyah and Sheikh Mustafa south of Idlib”.

@FREE_TV_SYRIA added that “Assad sub-machine guns launch heavy machine-gun raids on the town of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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