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

RS468

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الشحيل, Shaheil, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0865, 40.45232 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman and her child were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of al Shaheil, according to reports.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a child,  died with his mother when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on the town.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently also blamed Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Damea Thamer Al Saleh
Child male named by Syrian Network for Human Rights killed
Hind Mohammad Abboud
Adult female named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The child Damea Thamer Al Saleh died with his mother in an alleged Russian raid on Shaheil, January 27th 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • A photo from the other side of the Euphrates river showing the alleged Russian strike that targeted the town of Al Shaheel. (via, Deir Ezzor is being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory...Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3410

Incident date

April 20, 2018

Location

مخيم اليرموك, Al Yarmouk refugee camp, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.473938, 36.300631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and several others wounded in alleged Syrian regime or Russian forces airstrikes on Al Yarmouk refugee camp in Damascus, Syria on April 20th, 2018, according to local sources.

Imad al-Rayyan and Safwan al-Sabbagh  were named as the victims on social media.

Step Agency reported that “civilians were killed and others were wounded in the Yarmouk refugee camp as a result of the shelling.”

The planes were allegedly targeting Islamic State with explosive barrages and rocket-propelled grenades.

Step News reported Russia’s involvement as the other sources blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Imad Al Rayyan
Age unknown male killed
Safwan al-Sabbagh
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Syrian shelling and raids on the Yarmouk camp and the Black Stone near Damascus (France 24, April 2018)
  • The moment the Syrian army bombed the positions of "Da'ash" in Yarmouk camp (RT, April 2018)
  • Syrian army operations in Yarmouk camp against militants (Hussein Murtada, April 2018)
  • Syrian army operations in Yarmouk camp against militants (Hussein Murtada, April 2018)
  • Syrian army operations in Yarmouk camp against militants (Hussein Murtada, April 2018)
  • Syrian army operations in Yarmouk camp against militants (Hussein Murtada, April 2018)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS961

Incident date

June 30, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died including one child and several more people were wounded in airstrikes on Atareb, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Sources reported that the victims were father and daughter.

According to LCCSY the two were killed after “Russian warplanes launched 4 airstrikes on #Atareb city, in the western suburb, in the morning”.

Aleppo White Helmets likewise wrote about the incident on their Facebook page, and provided additional information about the wounded, saying that the strike “injured five others and caused damage to buildings.”

Nine sources pointed to Russia while one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, attributed the strike to the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Aya Ammar Suleiman
Child female killed
Ammar Ahmad Suleiman
Adult male killed

Summary

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

  • The aftermath of alleged raids on Atareb (via SN4HR)
  • The White Helmets at the scene, following alleged aerial bombardment on Atareb (via SN4HR)
  • Demolished buildings, the result of alleged airstrikes on Atareb (via SN4HR)
  • A White Helmet buries a civilian following suspected airstrike on Atareb (via Aleppo White Helmets) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive)
  • A video showing smoke rise following "warplane" bombing on the city of Atareb (Youtube via Baladi)

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 June 1st – 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
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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

CS468 RS1875

Incident date

January 31, 2017

Location

صبيخان, Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.85305, 40.59987 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian guard was killed in an air raid on an asphalt plant or nearby oil facility by unidentified aircraft. The Coalition has confirmed striking oil installations in the area that day, although some sources blamed Russia.

According to multiple reports at least two civilians were also injured in the incident. Asharqiya reported, Mr al Khairi was a civilian guard.

In comments attached to a report by Boukamalna, locals said the civilian died when an asphalt plant attached to the facility was struck. Most reports specified only unspecified aircraft. Boukamalna said the Coalition was responsible – while according to Baladi News, “warplanes believed to be Russian and regime” took part.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salam al Khairi
Age unknown male killed

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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

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
  • Stated location
    near Sbeikhan (Al Mayadin), Syria
    Nearest population center
  • Location accuracy
    1 m
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFU4625757914
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Sep 29, 2017

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For January 30th-31st the Coalition stated: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes destroyed 10 oil drums, two oil storage tanks and an oil wellhead.“

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 specific strikes between January 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
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3977

Incident date

July 29, 2019

Location

لطمين, Latmeen, Hama, Syria

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed while working on farmland when helicopters dropped explosive barrels on the village of Latmeen, according to local sources. Other civilians were also reported injured in the incident.

@abo_aljod84 said the two victims are originally from Al Latamneh, and they were named by Justice Organisation as Mohammed Naser Al Hasan Mohammed and Abdulhamid Ahmed al-Muhammad.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that the victims, from the same family, were killed when a barrel bomb fell near to were they were riding their motorbike in the village.

No other details are known at this time.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammed Naser Al Hasan Mohammed محمد نصر الحسن المحمد
Age unknown male killed
Abdulhamid Ahmed al-Muhammad عبد الحميد أحمد المحمد
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • One of two victims killed as a result of Russian or Syrian regime artillery or airstrikes on Latmeen in Hama on July 29th, 2019. (via Imda Abo hussien FB post).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of two victims killed as a result of Russian or Syrian regime artillery or airstrikes on Latmeen in Hama on July 29th, 2019. (via Imda Abo hussien FB post).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1106

Incident date

August 7, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed and at least one more was injured, including a child, from bombing of the Al Mashhad neighborhood in Aleppo, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

According to multiple sources, warplanes dropped internationally-prohibited phosphorus bombs. Both LCCSY and @ShahabaPress specified that “napalm” bombs were dropped.

Both Russian and regime warplanes were credited with carrying out the attack by LCCSY, @Syriamubasher and @ShahabaPress; other sources credited only Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Jawad
Adult male from Dara Aza killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (21) [ 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 1st – 10th 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 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 (21) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4024

Incident date

August 14, 2019

Location

كفرنبل, Kafar Nabil, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians were reported killed and others injured in airstrikes on Kafar Nabil, Idlib, on August 14th.

Shaam News reported that “two civilians were martyred” in the attack while Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, and other sources, documented “one civilian who was killed in aerial bombardment by the Russian warplanes on the outskirts of Kafar Nabil.”

Smart News stated that “a civilian was killed, and another injured, as a result of the bombing of Russian warplanes by missiles on the outskirts of the city of Kafar Nabil, south of Idlib in northern Syria, where the Civil Defense elements recovered the dead body.”

Sources predominantly attributed the attack to Russian forces, while one source named both Russian forces and the Syrian regime in reporting the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Image Caption Translation: "One man martyred and another wounded due to two warplanes airstrikes targeting Kafar Nabil city in Idlib countryside today, our teams were there with civilians." (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • Translation: Helicopters of the Assad regime forces dropped barrel bombs on civilian homes in Kafr Nabl a short while ago.
  • Destruction of civilians' houses in the aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on August 14th, 2019. (via @EuphratesPost)
  • Destruction of civilians' houses in the aftermath of Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Nubul on August 14th, 2019. (via @EuphratesPost)
  • Civil Defense volunteers carry the body of a civilian killed on August 14, 2019, as a result of a Russian airstrike targeting the city of Kafar Nabil, south of Idlib governorate in the north of the country. (Copyright SMART. Published in the public interest).

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS4087

Incident date

August 28, 2019

Location

معصران, Ma’saran, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.70683, 36.802053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – a man and a woman – died and up to five people were injured in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Ma’saran on August 28, 2019, according to local media.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “Ali Mustafa Sa’do and the girl Bayan Mohammad Matar were killed as Syrian regime fixed- wing warplanes fired missiles on Ma’saran village in the eastern suburbs of Idlib governorate, on August 28.”

According to the White Helmets, “two civilians were killed and others were injured as a result of an airstrike by a warplane targeting the houses of civilians in Maasran town of Idlib countryside today [Aug 28th]. Our teams were there with civilians.” @jisrtv tweeted that the death toll had increased to two civilians.

Some sources referred to “a girl” and “a child” as being killed but a post by @Ahed_Slebi clarified that the girl was killed on her wedding day and @FSLA2011 referred to the civilian killed, Bayan Matar, as being a young woman.

According to Ayyam Syria, “After the bombing, the bride was transferred to the hospital with her little sister, who was slightly injured, accompanied by their father. The bride, Bayan Matar, was placed in the intensive care room, to die an hour after she was treated.”

A tweet by @NEDAAPOST identified at least five people as being injured in the airstrike.

A video posted by @qsiulher2DFVX0z is from a surveillance camera and shows the moment of impact and the destruction it caused to the building.

Shaam New Netowork noted that “Russian and Assad warplanes and helicopters launched dozens of airstrikes accompanied by very heavy artillery and rocket shelling targeting the cities and towns in Idlib…the shelling caused the fall of two martyrs including a child in Ma’saran”. Other sources were split between whether they attributed the strikes to Russia or the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Mustafa Sa'do
Adult male killed
Bayan Mohammad Matar
Adult female Young woman, killed on her wedding day killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Ma'saran, Aug 28th
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Ma'saran, Aug 28th
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Ma'saran, Aug 28th

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

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]