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

RS1181

Incident date

August 22, 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

One named child died and up many more civilians were wounded in airstrikes on Rastan, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

LCCSY reported one “child martyr and the critical wounding of other civilians in airstrikes on residential houses in ‪‎Rastan‬ city”.

According to Qasioun, “Russian fighter jets used phosphorous bombs and napalm on residential neighborhoods, resulting in fires in civilian homes and commercial shops”.

However, other sources – Syria News Desk, Rozana, Radio Al Kul and Rasd-sy – blamed the Assad regime. Rasd-sy put the death toll at two, while Syria News Desk reported that one child died when regime jets carried out “eight vacuum missiles strikes in Rastan neighborhoods”.

Sln added that “dozens were wounded in the cities of Rastan and Brive in Homs.”

More than one source reported the use of “phosphorous bombs”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hossam Abdul Rahman Obaid
Child male named by Syrian Newsdesk killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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]

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 August 20th – 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
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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

RS1214

Incident date

September 3, 2016

Location

فيلون, Filon, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8805853, 36.6128403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and several others were wounded in an airstrike on Filon in Idlib governorate, according to sources on the ground – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Both Halab Today and LCCSY attributed the event to Russia.

However, Assabeel blamed the regime.

Syrian News didn’t apportion blame.

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
    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
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
  • 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

RS1936

Incident date

March 2, 2017

Location

السخنة, Sokhna, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One source, the Smart News Agency, reported that an unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in an airstrike on Sokhna. Smart said that a convoy was struck.

@youthvoiceSSS reported that “a convoy belonging to Daesh” was struck by the regime – but made no mention of civilian harm.

 

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ 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 strikes between March 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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2008

Incident date

March 22, 2017

Location

كفرحوت, Kafr Hout, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.890795, 37.410102 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were reported killed and others injured in an airstrike on Kafr Hout, Southern Aleppo, according to local sources – though it was unclear whether Russia or Assad’s regime were responsible for the attack.

According to Step News Agency, “the Russian warplanes targeted the village of Kfar Hout with three air strikes, killing one person and injuring several others.”

The death toll was corroborated by Syrian Mirror News, who added that it was “an aerial bombardment of space rockets”. However, it also noted that “the regime targeted the southern Aleppo countryside with artillery shells, killing and injuring civilians, while Russian aircraft continued to raid the countryside itself.”

Qasioun News, however, placed the death toll at two civilians and attributed responsibility for the attack to Russian forces.

One civilian was injured in the burning of a gas station, according to a video by Smart News Agency.

The correspondent for Syria News Desk confirmed this and reported that “a civilian was killed and others were injured after the Russian warplanes targeted a fuel shop in the village of Kfarhout, under the control of the Islamic State, in the southern Aleppo countryside.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: the civil defence tended to a person after he was injured as a result an airstrike on Kafr Hout village.

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 March 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
    1 – 2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2018

Incident date

March 23, 2017

Location

ادلب, Idlib City, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9266201, 36.6180588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were killed and several more were wounded as airstrikes, allegedly carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime, struck Idlib Electricity Company in the centre of Idlib city, local sources reported.

What was described as “heavy air raids” by @shahed_alep reportedly killed up to two civilians and wounded as many as four. @News_truth_ reported that the two victims were “young people”.

One adult male victim was identified by name by the Violations Documentation Centre.

The electricity company was in large part rendered destroyed and put out of service after the strikes.

While the large majority of the sources agreed that Russia carried out the three air strikes, Baladi News’ reporting suggested that the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sobhi Jamal
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Russian or Assad-waged airstrikes allegedly targeted Idlib Electricity Company in centre of Idlib city, partially damaging its building and burning a warehouse and rendering it inoperable, March 23, 2017 (via SN4HR)

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 March 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
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2040

Incident date

March 29, 2017

Location

الحمبوشية بداما, Al Hamboushiya/Badama, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.811903, 36.202275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and two civilians were killed and at least 14 others were injured in alleged Russian airstrikes against the village of Al Hamboushiya and the town of Badama in the western part of Jisr al Shoughour, local media reported. Most sources reported the death toll as two civilians while only the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimated the death toll to only be one.

According to Jisr al Shoughour Media Centre, the air raids struck both towns and the roads that link them together. The consensus among local news sources, including the Local Coordination Committee of Syria and @EdlibEMC, was that Russian planes were responsible fo carrying out the airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yasser Qasmo
Adult From al Akrad mountain in the northern Lattakia countryside killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    14
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2139

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

Khan Al Assal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or regim strikes on Khan Al Assal, local media said.

The Smart News Agency reported: “A squadron of Russian planes rotated to bombard the towns and villages of rural areas of Aleppo (the western, southern and northern regions) causing injuries to a number of civilians, who were taken to nearby medical points.

“Activists pointed out that a number of wounded civilians, mostly children, were killed by the bombing of the Russian air force on the towns of Kfaradal, Mansoura and Khan al-Asal, in the countryside of Western Aleppo, but it is not clear how many.”

According to AMC, “Seventeen people, mostly children, were injured following an aerial bombardment of the towns of Kfarda’al, Khan al-Asal and Mansoura in the western Aleppo countryside last night.”

Sources reported the use of concussion missiles and cluster and phosphorus rockets.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Khan Al Assal, April 18th (via Baladi)

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
    0 – 2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2367 CS1268a

Incident date

July 25, 2017

Location

الخميسية, Al-Khamesiya, Raqqa, Syria

Geolocation

35.764585, 39.564181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mother and child were killed in an airstrike on the neighbourhood of Al-Khamesiya. Although sources explain it was a mother and child, the mother was 17 years old, so Airwars have classified her as a child. 

Most sources blamed Russian aircraft for this event, however, the wording of a Baladi report suggested that the US-led Coalition may have been responsible. The source reported five deaths from one family in Ar Raqqah: Dari’eya (incident CS1268) and went on to say that “a girl and her mother were martyred by similar shelling to the village of al-Khamisiyah in rural of Ar Raqqa.”

Raqqa is being Silently Slaughtered reported that the house was specifically struck by Russian aviation.

There were no reports of any wounded civilians and no other details at this time.

In their August 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Badr al-Hindi
11 months years old male killed
Rim Mohammed al-Darwish
17 years old female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Khalid Badr al-Hindi, 11 months old, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Khamesiya, 25th July 2017. (via RBSS)

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 July 1st – 31st 2017.

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
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SEV511575
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Aug 22, 2020

  • July 25, 2017, in Al Khamesiya, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 3128/CS1268a 37SEV511575

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For July 25th-26th: “Near Raqqah, 24 strikes engaged 14 ISIS tactical units; destroyed six fighting positions, four observation points, three sniper positions, two command and control nodes, two supply caches, two mortar systems, a VBIED, an ISIS communication tower, a front-end loader, an ammunition cache, a tactical vehicle, and a heavy machine gun; and suppressed a supply route.” It additionally reported that “On July 25, near Raqqah, 12 strikes engaged seven ISIS tactical units and destroyed five mortar positions, a VBIED storage facility, a VBIED, and ISIS equipment.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, US-led Coalition

Sources (4) [ collapse]