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

RS2285 CS1005

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

السيد عايد, Al-Sayed Alyed in Hatla village, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and seven civilians were killed, and an unspecific number of others were wounded, following the bombing by military aircraft on Al-Sayed Alyed. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. Some attributed blame to the Syrian regime, while others blamed Russia. Many sources also reported on “military aircraft” thus, not attributing any blame.

Sources were also conflicted on how many civilians were killed in the strike. @DeirEzzor24 reported that two civilians – including a child – were killed. Step News however put the casualty range slightly higher at four. Free Deir Ezzor named four of the victims and Osamaalkowish named five. A few days later two local sources reported that “Zahra al-Zaghir and her daughter were killed, and the injury of her second daughter, were confirmed as a result of the bombing of their house in the village of Hatla”.

Smart News reported that four of the civilians killed were from one family. They also suggested that the number of people killed is likely to increase due to the large number of wounded and the seriousness of their conditions. Additionally, a number of homes were completely destroyed. 

Most sources reported that the strike occurred on the 15th of June, however on the 18th when two more casualties were reported, they posted the strike was the day before. This suggests the raid could have occurred during the evening of the 15th, or the 16th. Despite this, first reporting was on the 15th of June.

One source, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported that the airstrike took place in Raqqa and that the Coalition was responsible whereas other sources reported that the airstrike took place in Hatla and that the Russian government was responsible.

According to Mohammad Al Shbl Facebook page and some comments on the Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently page, this incident happened in Hatla, Deir Ezzor.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female reported on the 18th killed
Child female reported on the 18th killed
Child female reported on the 18th injured

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ayesh al Sayed Ayed, killed in an airstrike on Al-Sayed Alyed, 15th June 2017. (via Ramdan Sayd Ayid)

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (4 children)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2284

Incident date

June 15, 2017

Location

النعيمية, Al-Nu'aymeya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.200000, 37.200000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were killed, and an unspecific number were wounded, following an aerial bombardment on civilian homes in Al-Nu’aymeya, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame – some attributed blame to the Syrian regime and others to Russia.

Baladi reported thatthe area lacks medical points and even trained medical personnel and ambulances”. Injured civilians were allegedly taken in peoples private cars “through long and bumpy roads” to the nearest medical point, which is located in the fields of rural Deir Ezzor.

There are no other reports at this time.

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Adult male born in Aqirbat killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (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 (4) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2287

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

عين قريع, Ain Qurei, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.628803, 36.683092 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was killed, and two other civilians were wounded, when remnants of a cluster bomb exploded in Ain Qurei left by a previous raid, sources on the ground reported. Sources all blamed a previous Russian raid for the remnants left in the vicinity.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammed Ahmed Amsha , killed by the remnants of an un-exploded cluster bomb. (via Mohammad Al Bakour)

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2288

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

الطيبة, Al-Tayba, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.08895, 38.91597 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were killed when military aircraft struck oil tankers in the neighbourhood of Al-Tayba, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame. While most sources blamed Russia for the strikes. JisirTV pointed to the Syrian regime. 

According to the Smart News Agency, the six civilians who were killed were drivers of the oil tankers. Four cars were also reportedly burned in the raids. 

@hamodjnaid reported that the neighbourhood is residential, however there were no suggestions of destroyed housing or other wounded civilians. 

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Al-Tayba, 17th June 2017. (via @hamodjnaid)
  • Interviews in the aftermath of the alleged Syrian regime and Russian raid on Al-Tayba, 17th June 2017. (via JisirTV)

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2289

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

فجر, Fajir, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.074543, 37.547321 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and two children were killed, and five others were wounded, in an airstrike on Fajir, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian military aircraft for the raids. 

According to Radio.Fresh, the wounded were transferred to hospital in the aftermath. 

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2289a

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the residential neighbourhood of Hamidiya, local media reported. There were no wounded civilians reported.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad Abd al-Mutaleb al-Sayed( Abu Hamza), killed in an airstrike on Hamidiya, 17th June 2017. (via Abo Al Ward)
  • Ahmad Abd al-Mutaleb al-Sayed( Abu Hamza), killed in an airstrike on Hamidiya, 17th June 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2290

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Location

حمادي عمر, Hamadi Omar, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.025374, 37.423313 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were killed and three other civilians were wounded – including a woman – following an airstrike on Hamadi Omar, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strike.

According to both the Smart News Agency and the local source, Adyb.alhwrany, the town was under ISIS control when the strikes took place. 

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2291

Incident date

June 18, 2017

Location

عقيربات, Akeirbat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.0412099, 37.464692 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed, and several others were wounded, following an airstrike on Akeirbat, local media reported. Both sources blamed Russian military aircraft for the strikes.

@radioalsham reported that a woman was killed and several others were wounded, while the Step News Agency reported that two civilians were killed as well as others being injured.

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 – 2
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

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 specific strikes between June 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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