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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
3564 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS017

Incident date

October 4, 2015

Location

غرناطة, Gharnata, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8937633, 36.6794443 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed following an airstrike on Gharnata near Talbiseh city, in Homs governorate.

While some sources attributed the attack to Russian aircraft, the Assad regime also reported carrying out strikes in the vicinity, with state news agency SANA reporting that “the Air Force destroyed nests and mechanisms for terrorist organizations… in the countryside of Homs.” Smart News said the attack was carried out by regime helicopters dropping barrel bombs.

VDC and Talbiseh News both reported that a shepherd was killed at Gharnata on October 4th “due to Russian forces shelling.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al-Musa
Adult male Ahmad was a shepherd killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the body of the victim Ahmad al Musa killed in the strike on Gharnata, October 4th 2015. (via, Talibisah News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Gharnata (غرناطة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8937633, 36.6794443. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Homs governorate between October 3rd-5th 2015.

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)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS018

Incident date

October 4, 2015

Location

أم شرشوح, Umm Sharshuh, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.875730, 36.687650 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An alleged Russian raid killed up to three civilians at Umm Sharshuh, a town near Al Rastan. The Syrian Network cited local activist Abu Baraa Al Homsi: “Russian warplanes launched a number of air-strikes on Garnata and Umm Sharshuh. The strikes targeted civilian targets as usual. A number of individuals were killed and injured.”

The local Talbiseh Network claimed that four Russian strikes dropped thermobaric munitions on the town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Umm Sharshuh (أم شرشوح), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.87573, 36.68765. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Kremlin made no mention of strikes in Homs governorate between October 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS019

Incident date

October 5, 2015

Location

الباب, Al Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least six and as many as 17 civilians were reported killed in afternoon airstrikes – reportedly by Russian jets – on the ISIL-occupied city of Al Bab near Aleppo.

According to Qasioun the strikes hit “a popular food market in the city, resulting in mass civilian casualties, and the burning of several cars and shops.” Daesh propaganda footage showed massive damage to a residential street.

Although the Syria Media Organisation attributed the attack to regime aircraft, the Russian MoD later confirmed carrying out strikes on the city that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Major damage to civilian streets in Al Bab from alleged Russian airstrike, Oct 5th 2015. (via, Daesh propaganda)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

In its summary for October 5th 2015, the Russian MoD confirmed carrying out strikes at Al Bab: “In the daytime, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25 aircraft performed 15 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase. Ten terrorist facilities were engaged. Su-34 eliminated an HQ and a command centre of the ISIS militants near Dayr Hafir and Al-Bab (Aleppo). Direct hits resulted in destruction of buildings sheltering field commanders of terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 17
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS020 CS133

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children and a 46 year old male were reported killed during four alleged Russian strikes in the evening on Anadan. Another man was also named as a victim by VDC. Eyewitnesses described at least one secondary, or ‘double tap’ strike.

A local medic told Qassioun: “Between the afternoon and evening Russian planes carried out intensive raids on areas in the northern Aleppo countryside which led to dozens of injured and three deaths. One of the martyrs is a ten year old boy, a young man of 17 years old and a 40 year old man. The injuries are very serious.”

Smart TV showed footage of Russian aircraft which it said was filmed near Aleppo: “Spotted at 17:30 in the evening, for the first time, one of the Russian planes in the sky of the city of Aleppo on their way to carry out raids on the villages and towns of the countryside.”

And Ibrahim Kharfan, a rebel in the town, insisted only civilian areas were being targeted: “The Russians are claiming, along with the regime and all those supporting this rotten regime they are claiming they are targeting [military] bases. We are here in Anadan and everything you see here is civilian houses. All the bombing now is being directed at civilians’ houses.”

While there was near consensus that Russia was responsible, VDC continues to list both boys as having been killed in a US-led Coalition strike.

In their January 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 strikes were conducted in the geographical area at the time.

The incident occured at 17:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Amin al-Sageer
Adult male He was 46 years old and VDC says he was killed due to Russian strikes killed
Amin al-Sageer
Adult male killed
Abd al-Rahman al-Sageer
Child male He was 10 years old and VDC says he was killed due to coalition shelling killed
Ahmad Othman Hamidi
Child male He was 17 years old and VDC says he was killed due to coalition shelling killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children2 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A video reporting four alleged Russian raids on the town of Anadan on, 6th October 2015. (via, The Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Footage reporting that Russian planes targeted Anadan in Aleppo for the first time, 6th October 2015. (via Arabs in Turkey)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of one of the children, Abed Al Rahman al Sageer, killed in the raid on Anadan, 6th October 2015. (via, VDC)
  • News bulletin reporting that 4 Russian raids on Anadan had caused deaths and injuries. One eyewitness reports that two brothers were killed in the raid. [Via: Al Aan news]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Although Russia reported 20 combat sorties for October 6th 2015, no reference was made to strikes in Aleppo governorate. The Russian MoD also intimated that opposition forces were faking reports of civilian casualties: “It cannot be ruled out that now terrorists are intentionally preparing acts of provocation such as detonation of mosques in order to demonstrate fake photos and videos to indict the Russian aviation.”

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
    37SCA244183
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 6, 2015, in Anadan, 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. 2851/CS133 37SCA244183

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children2 men)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS021 CS134

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, “preliminary information reported the death of civilians – including women and children – in the bombing by Russian warplanes on areas at the eastern outskirts of Palmyra city which is controlled by the ‘Islamic State’.”

According to most sources, between 12 and 14 members of two Bedouin families died, including five children and four women. Russian aircraft reportedly targeted the Al Wadi Al Ahmar [Red Valley] residential area in the east of the city.

The Violations Documentation Center said 15 civilian males were killed, though did not identify any by name. Syrian Observatory for Human Rights instead said 15 Daesh fighters died alongside civilians.

A Russian Defence Ministry spokesperson was quoted as saying “We do not hit populated areas .. especially those with antiquities” when asked whether Russia had carried out strikes at Palmyra. Repeated Russian strikes have since targeted the city according to reports.

It remains possible the action was instead by the US-led Coalition, which publicly reported airstrikes at Palmyra on October 1st, 4th, 9th and 10th 2015.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (5 children4 women)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Interview with activist confirming that Russian strikes targeted Palmyra. No further details of any casualties, 6th October 2015. (via: Media office of the rebels of Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

As noted above, Russia explicitly denied carrying out strikes at Palmyra. No Russian airstrikes were publicly reported in Homs governorate for October 6th 2015.

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
    37SDU346251
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • October 6, 2015, in Palmyra, 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. 2861/CS134 37SDU346251

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

The Coalition did not report any strikes in Palmyra for October 5th-7th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • (5 children4 women)
  • 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, US-led Coalition

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS022

Incident date

October 6, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.22989, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Observatory reported an unspecified number of casualties from an alleged Russian strike at Qarayatain, a town to the south west of Palmyra. Qasioun also reported that “a raid by fighters of the Russian Air Force on Tuesday afternoon led to deaths and injuries among civilians, some serious, as well as widespread destruction of civilian buildings, and property.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • News report in which an activist confirms Russian raids on Al Qaryatayn. No mention of civilian casualties. (via, Media office of the rebels of Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

No Russian airstrikes were publicly reported in Homs governorate for October 6th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS026

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Location

بابيلا, Babilla, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.699785, 36.72952 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A father and his three children were among those reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Babilla, along with four other children, three of whom were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Eyewitness Moustafa Ghareeb told the Syrian Network: “The Russian shelling occurred 7 kilometres away from Marat Al Nu’man, at Babilla crossroads on the international road between Damascus and Aleppo. I rushed to the shelling site and saw the destruction in the pickles factory which was greatly damaged. A number of employees were injured and others were killed. Also, I heard about the death of a family that was crossing the international road at the moment of the shelling.”

The attacks were part of a massive reported Russian bombardment across two governorates. Speaking with Al Aan, rebel spokesman Mahmoud Al Hamoui said: “Since this morning we have seen an incredible number of strikes on the northern countryside of Hama, more than a 100 missile fired in less than 15 minutes and in total we have seen more than 300 missiles fired on the northern countryside of Hama until now. The Russians have carried out more than 20 raids on the towns of Latamna, Kafr Zita and Kafr Nboudi, and while these raids are taking place ground forces have tried to get through the Hama countryside from more than ten fronts where the Russian and regime militias fought the rebels. More than 100 regime and allied forces were killed and 20 vehicles destroyed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar Ibrahim Hajj Ibrahim
Child male named in SN4HR report dated November 2nd 2015 killed
Salah Jomaa Al Deiri
Child male named in SN4HR report dated November 2nd 2015 killed
Madhi Bin Hassan Dergham
Child male named in SN4HR report dated November 2nd 2015 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Tweet reports alleged Russian raids on the town of Babilla in the northern Maarat al Numan countryside, Idlib, 7th October 2015. (via mashrou' shahid)
  • News bulletin reporting that at least four civilians were killed and 5 were injured in the raids by "Russian fighter jets" on the town of Babilla, 7th October 2015. (via, al Aan TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia made no reference to any airstrikes in Hama governorate in its report for October 7th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • (4–7 children1 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS023

Incident date

October 7, 2015

Location

جبل الزاوية, Jabal al Zawiya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71345, 36.52933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory, Russian aircraft targeted a number of locations in Idlib governorate on October 7th including “Khan Shekhon, al-Tama’a, and al-Habeet in the southern countryside of Idlib, and other areas of Ehsim and al-Bara in the Zawyia mount [area].”

As many as 10 non-combatants may have died at five different locations. However casualty reporting remains confused. TRT Arabic reported that “Russian aircraft dropped cluster bombs on [al Habeet] town, killing six people, wounding 10 most of whom were civilians.” However VDC identified only one person killed in Habeet, named as an FSA combatant. Syrian Network for Human Rights instead said a ten year old boy,  died in the town – but that he was killed by Assad regime artillery fire.

At al Zawiya, an unidentified adult female was reported by VDC as having been killed; an adult male was reported slain at Kansaefreh; and another one was reported killed at Khan Sheikhoun.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Hameid Abu Ras
Child male Named as a 10 year old victim by SN4HR. Killed in al Habeet, Idlib by regime artillery killed
Ibraheem Abdullah al-Dani
Adult male Named as a victim by VDC. Killed in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib by Russian airstrikes. killed
Muhannad Taqi el-Dein al-Bakour
Adult male Named as a victim by VDC. Killed in Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib by Russian airstrikes. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Missile fragments recovered at al Bara, Idlib, Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)
  • Missile fragments recovered in the area between the towns of al Bara and Ihsim in al Zawiya mount. Oct 7th 2015 (via SOHR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Abdul Hameid Abu Ras from Habeet, Idlib, aged 10, killed in alleged Syrian government artillery fired on the town. October 7th, 2015 (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jabal Al Zawiya (جبل الزاوية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.71345, 36.52933. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

The Russian MoD confirmed multiple strikes in Idlib for October 7th 2015: “In Idlib, a Su-24M aircraft made a strike against an ISIS terrorist training ground. Objecting monitoring data registered multiple explosions of munitions. The training base aimed for the preparation of terrorists is eliminated.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]