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

RS2820

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

التمانعة, Taman'a, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as 12 civilians were killed, and dozens more wounded, in air and artillery strikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Taman’a. Sources blamed both the Syrian regime and Russian warplanes for the strikes.

The Violations Documentation Centre reported that there were two incidents which occurred on the same day in Taman’a, however they do not give any further details. No other sources made this claim.

Despite high casualty figures across most sources, some local media only reported one death. @mohamed1aldaher was amongst them, who reported that there were 19 dead civilians were distributed over Al Sarman (2), Al Taman’a (1), Al – Mushrifah (4), Skeet farms (3), – Sahihan (3), Badama (1), Om Jalal, Al Sayad Ali Al Taman’a Farms.

It is possible that both @mohamed1aldaher and Al Etihad press were reporting on the second incident of the day.

According to Step News Agency, as many as 100 rockets were fired on the vicinity. Syrian Human Rights Committee was the only source which included artillery shelling in their report.

Members of the Syrian Civil Defence were photographed pulling victims from the rubble, and according to their own Twitter account, they took many wounded civilians to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

They added that an entire family were trapped under the rubble – they did not give information as to who was wounded and who died.

A local source tweeted that “Al Sarman, Al Taman’a and farms, Almshirifa and Babolin” were all targeted in the raids. They attributed blame to both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 12
  • (3 children1–3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child who was killed in air and artillery strikes on Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via @sakrr121)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child who was killed in air and artillery strikes on Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via @sakrr121)
  • Air and artillery strikes the moment they struck Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via @Muslims2018)
  • Air and artillery strikes the moment they struck Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via @Muslims2018)
  • A victim of the air and artillery strikes on Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Maher Abd al-Razzaq al-Bakri, killed in air and artillery strikes on Taman'a, 28th December 2017. (via VDC-SY)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 12
  • (3 children1–3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2815

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five men were killed in alleged Russian aerial shelling of Lataminah, local media said, though it was unclear whether the victims were a part of the armed opposition or civilians.

Several reports, such as HalabTodayTV and @AleppoAMC, reported that the airstrikes “killed and wounded civilians.”

However, Step News Agency reported that the strikes killed “four military personnel” in addition to another seven wounded.

It is unclear whether the reports talk about the same victims, or whether both civilians and militants were killed in the incident.

Until confirmed otherwise, the five named victims will be treated as civilians.

Between two and seven more civilians were reportedly left wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Riyad Ahmad Al-Mahmoud
18 years old male killed
Majid Ismail al-Jahm
18 years old male killed
Khaled Walid Al-Hamed
18 years old male killed
Ahmed Mohammed Al-Sijnawi
18 years old male killed
Abdullah Mohammed Al-Deeb (
18 years old male killed

Summary

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

  • Riyad Ahmad Al-Mahmoud was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Hamah Now)
  • Majid Ismail al-Jahm was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Hamah Now)
  • Khaled Walid Al-Hamed was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Hamah Now)
  • The moment the alleged Russian airstrikes hit the outskirts of Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Thiqa Agency)
  • The moment the alleged Russian airstrikes hit the outskirts of Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Step News Agency)
  • Ahmed Mohammed Al-Sijnawi was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Latamenah facebook)
  • Abdullah Mohammed Al-Deeb was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrikes in Lataminah, Hama, December 26th, 2017 (via Latamenah facebook)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.





Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–7
  • 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

RS2819

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.440813, 36.6493607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed, including a Civil Defence volunteer, in airstrikes which struck civilian housing and a popular market in Khan Sheikhoun, according to local media. Sources blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime for the strikes. Many didn’t name a culprit but pointed only to “military aircraft” and “helicopters”.

Footage published by the Syrian Civil Defence shows a victim while he was alive, talking about his role in the SCD. A later video published shows his funeral, with footage of friends and family mourning over the much loved man.

@AleppoAMC put the number of other victims wounded as high as eight.

@SyrianCoaltion was the first to report that two civilians had been killed in the raids when “helicopters targeted civilian houses at Al Azizia farm east of Khan Sheikhoun”. Images show children being dragged form the rubble of their homes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Memorial footage showing Bashar al-Dedo before he died in airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via Syrian Civil Defence Idlib)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bashar al-Dedo, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bashar al-Dedo, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via @RaedAlSaleh3)
  • Bashar al-Dedo, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via @RaedAlSaleh3)
  • Injured children dragged from their homes which were struck by airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via @SyrianCoaltion)
  • The aftermath of airstrikes in Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via @SyrianCoaltion)
  • Bashar al-Dedo, killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, 26th December 2017. (via Syria Civil Defence)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


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 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–8
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2818

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

زيتونة, Zaytounah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.811178, 36.132961 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male was killed and six others were injured – including three women and a man – following airstrikes on Zaytounah refugee camp, according to sources on the ground. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Only one source blamed Russia, while the others either blamed the Syrian regime or “military warplanes”.

Jisr alshughour1 and Shaam were the only sources to report a civilian death, while all other sources reported civilians were injured in the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

RS2817

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

مزرعة العزيزية, Mazrat Al-Aziziya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.470911, 36.728754 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult males died in airstrikes by alleged Russian and Syrian regime warplanes in Mazrat Al-Aziziya, local media reported. Sources blamed both said belligerents for the raids.

Aljazeera reported that “10 people were killed and dozens injured others this morning in a Russian air bombardment on the towns of Al Taman’a,  Al Dajaj and Al Hamdaniya and farms in the southern countryside Idlib.” Airwars researchers did not find any civilian casualty allegations for the other towns therefore we have included ten as a possible death toll for this incident.

Footage shows as many as six raids on the vicinity in a continuous bombardment.

According to Syrian Network for Human Rights, “suspected Russian warplanes fired a missile as well as Syrian regime force helicopters dropped several barrel bombs on Mazra’et al Aziziya”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male brothers killed
Adult male brothers killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment six raids targeted Mazrat Al-Aziziya, 26th December 2017. (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • The exact moment six raids targeted Mazrat Al-Aziziya, 26th December 2017. (via Edlib EMC)
  • The exact moment six raids targeted Mazrat Al-Aziziya, 26th December 2017. (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • The aftermath of raids targeted Mazrat Al-Aziziya, 26th December 2017. (via Qasioun News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS2816

Incident date

December 26, 2017

Location

رسم العيد, Rasim Al-Abid, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

34.97812, 37.384662 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An adult male was killed, and others were wounded, when alleged Russian warplanes struck Rasim Al-Abid camp for Internally Displaced Peoples. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with many blaming Russia but some blaming the Syrian regime.

One source states that the bombardments by Russia were “hysterical” with as many as 25 consecutive strikes.

Syrian Press Centre reported only wounded civilians. They also blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

Sources reported that tents were damaged in the raids.

@HalabTodayTV reported that “four civilians were killed and others injured by aerial bombardment on the villages of Rasim Al-Abed, Um Muwailat and Al-Mahatta farm in the countryside # Idlib”. All other sources reported that there was only one casualty in Rasim Al-Abid camp.

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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed al-Ziab, killed in airstrikes on Rasim Al-Abid camp, 26th December 2017. (via Wasel Aldiab News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1702 RS2813

Incident date

December 25, 2017

Location

غرانيج, Granij, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.776667, 40.73 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten named civilians died and “a large number more” were injured in an alleged airstrike on Granij, according to local media. One sources blamed Russia, while the rest attributed blame to the US-led Coalition.

According to Deir Ezzor 24, six non-combatants died when the Coalition “attacked the house of Elias Khader Al-Abdullah in the Al-Samra neighbourhood of the town of Granij. The deaths occurred during a raid targeting a house which IS were in. It led to the martyrdom of Elias and the death of many members of the organisation [ISIS].”

The source said that the death count was likely to rise due to “a large number of wounded”, adding that “the bombing caused the complete destruction of many houses”.

Step News Agency, also blaming the Coalition, reported that “the residents of the neighbourhood came to the aid of women who were wounded in the raid. The plane then returned and targeted the ambulance, killing all of them and wounding two others. The search continues under the rubble of survivors.”

VDC-SY was the only source that blamed Russian troops.

The incident was first reported on December 25, 2017 at 3:00 am by .

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The site of the alleged Coalition strike on Granij, Dec 25th (via Deirezzor24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al-Samra (السمرة) in the town of Granij (غرانيج). Due to limited information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the exact location of the neighbourhood but believe it is in the Wadi Al-Samra area, for which the coordinates are: 34.784201, 40.728679. The general location of Granij (غرانيج) is at the following coordinates: 34.776667, 40.73

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Oct 26, 2018
  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 24th-25th, the Coalition reported: ” Near Abu Kamal, four strikes engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed a heavy machine gun and three ISIS vehicles.”

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 10
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2814

Incident date

December 25, 2017

Location

السميرية, Al-Samiria, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.892969, 37.31471 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that alleged Russian warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes in the town of Al-Samiria, Aleppo, wounding several civilians.

While the reports were sparse, all sources, however, identified Russia as the culprit.

However, only the Step News Agency made mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes that destroyed large parts ofAl-Samiria, Aleppo, on December 25th, 2017 (via EdlibEMC1)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes that destroyed large parts ofAl-Samiria, Aleppo, on December 25th, 2017 (via EdlibEMC1)
  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes that destroyed large parts ofAl-Samiria, Aleppo, on December 25th, 2017 (via EdlibEMC1)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.



Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]