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

RS1702

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Location

الليرمون, Al Lleiramoun, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2423248, 37.1057626 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that a woman and her child died and another civilian was wounded in an airstrike on Al Lleiramoun. While most sources blamed Russia, there was also an allegation against the Assad regime.

According to @SN4HR, “the girl Suhad Hasan Kurdiyeh, from Al Layramoun town in Aleppo governorate, died in government warplanes (allies) missiles fired on Al Layramoun town, November 27”.

But both Smart and HNN blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'The girl Suhad Hasan Kurdiyeh, from Al Layramoun town in Aleppo governorate, died in government warplanes (allies) missiles fired on Al Layramoun town, November 27'

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 November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1660

Incident date

November 21, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two girls were killed and dozens of other civilians were wounded in shelling and airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Douma, local media said.

According to Smart News, some members of the regimes forces were also killed in the airstrikes. 

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged raid, with two sources blaming the Syrian regime, two sources blaming Russia and the rest not naming a belligerent.

Upsetting footage shows a young girl who is seriously wounded being transported to hospital in an ambulance. Other photographs show more wounded children being treated in a medical facility.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sondos Diab
Child female killed
Shahd Diab
Child female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young seriously wounded child is taken to hospital in an ambulance in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via SDC Damascus Countryside)
  • The aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via @islamnedaa3)
  • Civilian is treated for wounds in a hospital in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via @Doumamedical)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian is treated for wounds in a hospital in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via @Doumamedical)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian is treated for wounds in a hospital in the aftermath of alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via @Doumamedical)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two young girls killed in alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Douma, 21st November 2016. (via Douma revolution)

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 November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1989

Incident date

March 20, 2017

Location

النشمي, Al Namshi village, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.13437, 36.754761 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Province/governorate level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Namshia village, east of Hama, the Smart News Agency reported.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2182

Incident date

April 27, 2017

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shoughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and up to seven more were wounded in ‘several air raids’ alleged Russian airstrikes on Jisr Al-Shoghour in Idlib Governorate, according to sources on the ground.

The Step News Agency reported “two civilians were killed in a bomb attack on Jisr al-Shughour and the surrounding area of al-Janoudiya village in the western countryside of Idlib”.

However, other sources only reported that civilians were wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male injured
Age unknown injured
Age unknown injured
Age unknown injured
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2215

Incident date

May 5, 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

In this single source event, an aircraft “likely to be Russian”, carried out airstrikes in the vicinity of al-Taybeh village, Homs, killing two civilians and wounded another three, Smart News Agency reported.

There are currently no further details available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 May 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2298

Incident date

June 21, 2017

Location

داعل, Dael, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.756529, 36.138453 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult males were killed, and as many as 30 civilians were wounded, following air and artillery shelling on Dael, local media reported. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, some blaming Russia, others blaming the regime. The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the “Syrian-Russian alliance”.

Images show wounded civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the incident. Additionally, footage released by Shab Da’eli lens, shows the exact moment – just before midnight – that the strikes hit the vicinity. 

The Smart News Agency reported that “13 children and eight women” were included in the numbers of wounded civilians. 

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Yazan Khalifa Shahadat, killed in an airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via VDC)
  • Ahmad Jameel al-Mohsen al-Asemi, killed in an airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via VDC)
  • Wounded civilians being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • Wounded girl being treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the airstrike on Dael, 21st June 2017. (via AmjadAssaf)
  • The exact moment an airstrike hit Dael, 21st June 2017. (via Shab Da’eli lens)

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
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–30
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2391

Incident date

August 16, 2017

Location

حسيا, Hasya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.410945, 36.758151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that “Russian warplanes targeting several vehicles carrying displaced people in the area of #Hassia area #Aqirbat [with] news of martyrs and wounded among the displaced.”

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Russian Military
  • Russian Military 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2627

Incident date

October 11, 2017

Location

الطيبة, al-Taybah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed in airstrikes in al-Taybah in Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though sources didn’t identify the culprit.

One of the two sources reporting from the incident merely reported  airstrikes, not  civilian harm, while the other, Euphrates Post, reported the death of two named civilians.

While no belligerent was associated with the incident it is worth noting that Russia was active in Deir Ezzor on this time, as noted in preceding events.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown Nephew of Jamal Mahmoud Obaidi Al-Sallan killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]