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

RS530

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and several more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on neighbourhoods in Deir ez-Zor: “Russian raids were carried out on the towns of Hatla, Tahtani, Ayyash, Al Husseiniya, Al Janina, Al Hessan, Al Mheimdieh, Al Khareeta, Al Baghiliya, Al mayadeen and also on neighbourhoods in Deir Ezzor that are under IS control  which led to the fall of several martrys and wounded amongst civilians. The streets of deir ezzor have also come under artillery fire and rocket.“

Deir Ezzor 24 reported that Russian airstrikes were “mainly in the western countryside,” and claimed “the lives of several civilians and critically wounded a number of others.” The report did not cite deaths or injuries specifically in Deir ez-Zor city.

 

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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS563

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

طابية شامية, Tabya Shameih, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2500351, 40.2948475 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tabya Shameih, according to local sources.

In a news brief, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said two victims (children) “died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tabiyet Al Sham town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern countryside, February 7, 2016.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that two children died and three houses were destroyed “after Russian planes targeted the village with three missiles.” A second report said that three people died:  “1- the child Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an  2- the girl Russal Mohammad al Jada’an 3- the young woman Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an and there are many others in critical condition.

According to Free Deir Ezzor radio, the “two twin sons of Mohammad Ismail Jadaan” died in a Russian strike.

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that Russia was responsible and added that three children and another civilian had not yet been identified.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Russal Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an
Adult female Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Step News Agency reporting Russian strikes and victims

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS596

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.82179, 36.69605 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 14 and 16 civilians died including one woman and up to four children in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghantu, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported “an appalling massacre” in Al Ghantu, which killed 16 non-combatants including members of the civil defence who rushed to the location of the first raid when a second was launched in the same place, killing more people. It added that dozens were wounded, including some in critical condition, meaning the death toll was likely to rise. Activists told SNN that “the Russian air force targeted civilian houses in the town of Al-Ghantu with high explosive missiles leading to the fall of the buildings on the residents heads“.

However, according to initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, warplanes of the Assad regime carried out the attacks, killing at least 12. It published a graphic video showing bodies on the ground and men trying to identify them. Family members then arrived to find their dead.

According to another SN4HR report, one of the dead was Osama Al Khatteib, a member of the civil defence who “died in regime warplanes shelling on Al Ghanto town causing massacre, February 12.” This victim was also named by the White Helmets.

But in a later report by SN4HR, it appeared to change position and attribute the incident to Russia: “On 12 Feb 2016 alleged Russian warplanes shelled 3 rockets on the residential neighborhoods in Al Ghanto town in Homs suburbs that is under the control of armed opposition .which killed 16 individuals including 4 children and a woman.”

The Violations Documentation Center named 14 victims as being killed by Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children1 woman13 men)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Bodies are covered following an alleged Russian raid on Al Ghantu, February 12th (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies are covered following an alleged Russian raid on Al Ghantu, February 12th (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children1 woman13 men)
  • 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

RS628

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, from Sheikh Miskeen in Dara’a, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

Syria Martrys also named the victim and blamed Russia.

 

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)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar Abdulhameed Shbat, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.” Additionally, it also later published a rebuttal relating to reports of casualties at Azaz and elsewhere.

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS660

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including two to three children died in airstrikes on Zamalka according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out intense strikes on the clash areas and on the towns of Douma, A’arbeen and Zamalka causing the fall of one martyr and several wounded.

Radio Akul also said a Russian raid killed a female child, while So-ria 98 reported that there had been four Russian strikes.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed missiles fired by the regime. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said the regime was responsible and named several victims, including an unidentified man.

Other sources, including Nabd Syria, Smart and Qasioun also said the regime was responsible.

A number of reports referred to raids on Zamalka but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aysha Nuh
Child female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, died in regime random shelling killed
Duha Ibrahim Al-Khuli
Child female Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Age unknown male Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Age unknown male Named by Syrian Human Rights Center killed
Radwan Abdel Wahab Karnabeh
Age unknown male Named by Syrian Human Rights Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 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

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 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

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS692

Incident date

February 28, 2016

Location

قبتان الجبل, Qabtan al Jabal, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2642414, 36.9490814 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male civilian, named by the Violations Documentation Centre as 40-year-old Qasem Mahmoud Samoa, died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qabtan al Jabal according to local sources.

Activists told the Shaam News Network there were “several air raids on the towns of Anadan, Kafr Hamra, Hraytan and Ma’arat al Arteek in the northern countryside and on the towns of Qabtan al Jabal and Dara Aza western countryside with the continuation of raids that resulted in the fall of one martyr and a number of wounded in Qabtan al Jabal” – though they did not say who carried out the attacks.

Likewise, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights published images showing destruction caused by “shelling by warplanes on Qebtan al-Jabal”, but did not clarify who the warplanes belonged to.

Other sources also named the victim and blamed Russia, with the Syrian Network for Human Rights publishing  a video in which an eye witness claims that Russia carried out three strikes on the village.

However, Qubtan Al Jabal media office reported that the regime was responsible. A witness in its video says this was a civilian area. Footage also shows a bike, and that its owner was killed in an airstrike. A number of other sources referred to the raids but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

40 years old 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Destruction in Qabtan al Jabal following raids on February 28th 2016. (via SO4HR)
  • A man reports on the alleged Russian Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)
  • A man reports on the alleged Russian Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, Qubtan Al Jabal Media Office)
  • A man reports on the alleged Russian Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, Qasioun)
  • Destruction following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Taha-Helo)
  • Destruction in Qabtan al Jabal following raids on February 28th 2016. (via SO4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS724

Incident date

March 11, 2016

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

Several civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra, according to local sources.

Al Jazeera reported that “a number of people were killed, including women and children, as a result of dozens of continuous Russian air raids days ago on residential neighborhoods and archaeological city. others were injured in the city of Palmyra in Homs east.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Basil Mahmoud Al-Qasem
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "The shelling of Russian warplanes destroys dozens of houses in dozens of raids on Palmyra in the countryside of Homs" (via Abualhudahoms twitter)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS756

Incident date

April 16, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 17 civilians including one woman and two children died in airstrikes on neighborhoods of Deir Ezzor, according to local sources. While some reports allege that this was the work of Russia, one other blames the Assad regime with yet others not attributing responsibility.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian warplanes carried out more than a dozen raids focused on “Al Rashida, al Haweqa and al Sina’a neighborhoods but the worst were in Al Hamidiya neighbourhood which was targeted with three raids.” It said that “nine people were killed in addition to five unidentified dead bodies“.

Tweets by Aljmhoria and 3ajel-KSA put the death toll at 13, and said Russia was responsible. Deirfree also blamed Russia and named two victims: Eyad Abdulfattah Abdullah and Abdulr-Rahman Al Akili.

Daretezza said that the 13 victims were “mostly children” –  but did not say who carried out the aerial bombardment.  According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes” (it did not say who they belonged to) killed 13 non-combatants including one woman and at least two children when they bombed areas in the al-Hamidiyyeh neighborhood.

Likewise, a report by Free Syria did not say who was to blame. Neither did LCCSY, but it named five of the reportedly killed civilians also mentioned by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently (below).

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the incident to the regime, putting the death toll at 17 including one woman and two children.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently named nine male victims (listed below), while a tweet by Tiger9977771, mentioned the same names, but also reported that “there have been bodies of a woman, a male child, a female child and two men (body parts) who could not be identified”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassoun al Hazza’
Age unknown male killed
Fawaz al Fatih
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Halat
Age unknown male killed
Iyad Abd al Fattah
Age unknown male killed
Hussein al Baja’a
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad al Fattouri
Age unknown male killed
Saleh Zeeb al Marhaj
Age unknown male killed
Abd al Rahman al A’kili
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 17
  • (2 children1 woman9 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 17
  • (2 children1 woman9 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]