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

RS2600

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

الكندير صبيخان, Water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.856214, 40.597572 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecifiied number of civilians were killed and wounded, following an airstrike on Al-Kandeer – specifically the water crossing between Al-Kandeer and Sbeikhan.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the strikes. A single source, Step News Agency, blamed Russian raids, however all the others reported sighting “unknown warplanes” or “military aircraft”.

None of the sources reported on specific numbers of dead and wounded, however, most alleged it was “several” or more than one.

There were, according to DeirEzzor24, “several raids” altogether on the vicinity. 

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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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, Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2597

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

بقرص فوقاني, Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0573579, 40.4155234 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported the death of four people in the village of Baqras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor on October 5th 2017 – some killed by airstrikes, carried out by either Russia or the Syrian regime, and others seemingly from wounds they sustained in previous days’ airstrikes.

Sana News reported that “intensive strikes” were carried out by the Syrian regime, and several sources reported the death of as many as four civilians. However, the reason for their deaths and exact dates are associated with some level of unclarity.

One victim, Mohammed Khalif Almasi, was most likely killed in this strike, as reported by several sources.

Khalif Al Qata’a was reportedly also killed in this event, however, a victim with almost the same name reportedly died on October 5th due to wounds inflicted a few days earlier.

However, both the Syrian Human Rights Committee and Asharq al Arabi distinguish between these two victims in their reports, suggesting that a man called Khalif Al-Qata’a was killed on this day by airstrikes while a man called Khalef al Gata’a died from his wounds. 

According to numerous sources, another victim, Saher al-Hamid al-Qamar, also died on this day due to wounds he inflicted during airstrikes the previous day.

@sarya_ja6 reported “the martyrdom of Saher Al-Humaid Al-Qamar who was wounded by a bullet that targeted his house a few days ago and was buried in Al-Shuhail.” Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center Syria (VDC), who noted his death on October 5th, reporting that he was killed by Russian warplanes.

This could possibly relate to an incident on October 2nd, 2017 (RS2588), where contested airstrikes reportedly also struck Baqras Fuqani.

Moreover, the young man Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaa was reported killed in another incident (CS1563) on October 2nd, 2017. However, multiple sources reported about his death on October 5th.

According to the sources, who do not specify any number, “several” civilians are reportedly left wounded from today’s incident.

Most sources point to the Syrian regime as responsible. Yet it remains unclear as Alahad News attribute blame on the Syrian regime and “its allies”, suggesting Russia’s involvement.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (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 (31) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Khalif Almasi was reportedly killed by the contested airstrikes in Bokras Fuqani, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017. This image was published along with the reports about his death, however, it is not known to Airwars if the victim is the adult or child depicted on the image (via Twsas.org)
  • Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaal was reportedly killed in the contested airstrikes in Bokras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017 (via Muad Al-Sarhan)
  • Video containing images of victim Mahran Shatti Abu Meshaal, who reportedly was killed in the contested airstrikes in Bokras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th, 2017 (via Mzmejrr Al Harb Video)
  • Image published along with reports about the death of Saher al-Hamid al-Qamar during the contested airstrikes in Borkras, Deir Ezzor, October 5th 2017. However, the source is not clear as to whether this is the named victim or not. (via Syria Press Center)

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 October 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 – 4
  • (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 (31) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2598

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

طيبة جزيرة, Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, two women and one female child, were killed as airstrikes struck residential areas in Taiba Jazera, Deir Ezzor, local media reported, though it remained unclear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime was to blame.

The three victims were identified by multiple sources and were reportedly from the same family; a grandmother, Rajiha Mustafa, her adult daughter, Amal al-Ahmad, and the child of Amal al-Ahmad, Sidra. They were reportedly killed as airstrikes hit “the house of Dr. Hassan Al Sultan.”

There were no reports of wounded civilians.

The majority of the sources attributed blame to Russia, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that a “Syrian regime warplane” carried out the strikes. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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]

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 October 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
    3
  • (1 child2 women)
  • 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

RS2599

Incident date

October 5, 2017

Location

محكان, Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.974444, 40.485556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least ten and as many as 21 (possibly more) civilians, hereof up to seven children and four women, were killed, and another “dozens” were left wounded as alleged Russian warplanes carried out airstrikes in Mahkan, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

Euphrates Post reported that six air raids had hit the town of Mahkan, more precisely near the Euphrates River.

Arab48 reported that the raids struck civilians “as they tried to cross the Euphrates River on ferries in the village of Mahkan”. @AlSharqia24 added that the alleged Russian warplanes hit “the house of Nasser al-Muhamed al-Tarsh in a camp that resulted in the martyrdom of a family.”

The death toll varied from reports about “at least ten” (@raassaf77) while most sources, such as Baladi News, reported more than 15 victims, most being from same families.

As many as 21 victims were identified by name, hereof five children and four women. However, there was some disagreement over the numbers.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, for example, said that there had been “at least seven child victims”, while Arab48 put the number of children killed at three.

It should also be noted, that one victim “Hamza”, only identified by his first name, could possibly be the same as the victim identified as “Hamze Abdul Ali al-Hayyawi”.

@aboud_alsalih reported that “dozens” were left wounded.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult male killed

Family members (5)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female killed

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male Son of Hamza killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male Displaced killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (3–7 children4 women6 men)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ 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 October 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 21
  • (3–7 children4 women6 men)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2602

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

العشارة, Al-A'shara, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.92, 40.56 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as four civilians were killed, including between two and three men, and several others were wounded, following airstrikes on Al-A’shara. Almost all sources blamed Russian warplanes, though some did not attribute any blame.

The raids allegedly occurred during a bombardement of water crossings “in the towns and cities of Al-A’shara, the Hajin, and the sub-sections of the towns and cities of Thiban, Bu Kamal, Diblan, Marat and Al-Mesrab”, according to Anapress.

Sources reported that the bombing took place “amid the situation of displacement of the people towards areas that were less vulnerable to shelling and were more secure.”

Initially only two men were named as killed, however, much later on October 9th Euphrates Post, among other sources, named two more civilians, including another adult male.

Cluster bombs were reportedly used in the raids.

The cousin of one of the victims tweeted that “the condolence will be held in Jaramana President Square by MTN in Abu Eid Hall Daily: Saturday and Sunday at 5 pm to 8 pm”.

It must be noted that ShhdaAlshartAlhrt reported that the strikes occurred on October 8th, despite first reportage being on the 6th. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male (Abu Ali) from the city of Deir al-Zour killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-A'shara, 6th October 2017. (via Coordination of Swidan , Al Sahmiya and Al A’shara)
  • Jamal Abdullah Al Mulla Sulaiman, killed in an airstrike on on Al-A'shara, 6th October 2017. (via Na’im Ibrahim)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-A'shara, 6th October 2017. (via @AJA_Syria)
  • Haider Abdul Wahab Dahmush Al Mashhour, killed in an airstrike on on Al-A'shara, 6th October 2017. (via Euphrates post)
  • Ragheb Hassan Al - Kanes, killed in an airstrike on on Al-A'shara, 6th October 2017. (via ShhdaAlshartAlhrt)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS2603

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

الخوين, Al-khawein village, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.478114, 36.83559 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were wounded during a raid on Al-khawein. There were no reports of civilian deaths.

Local media was conflicted as  to who was to blame, with only one source attributing blame to Russian warplanes, while the rest either blamed Syrian regime warplanes, or did not attribute any blame.

Step News Agency tweeted that “military aircraft launched several air raids targeting the city of Khan Sheikun and the villages of Al Khwain and Tal Hogar and Umm Al-Khalakhil, resulting in injuries”.

There are no other details at this time.

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
    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]

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
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2604

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

الهزاعة, Al-Hazaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.975017, 40.496464 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians were killed, including women and children, and “dozens” more were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Hazaa, according to sources on the ground.

The incident allegedly occurred in the afternoon following Friday prayers, according to local media, and struck civilian homes and water wells.

Multiple sources reported that this was a continuation of bombardements against Al-Hazaa, one suggesting it was only “hours after the first massacre”, and other suggesting this was the fourth day in a row the vicinity was bombed. 

Sharqiya voice posted that the planes “targeted the house of “Nasser Muhammed Al Tarsh” which led to deaths and injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Hussain Al Ali Al - Tashran, killed in an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via Gassan.alkhlief)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

RS2605

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

حاوي, Hawi Mheimdiya area, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.559587, 40.874462 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mother and her four children were killed, following an airstrike which struck the tent they were sheltering in the Hawi Mheimdiya area of the Deir Ezzor countryside, local media reported. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

Marsad Al Hasaka reported that they were from the Al-Sa’id family, however, their names were not given.

Accoring to local media “they have been sheltering in the area of Hawi Mahimdya for two days”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (4 children1 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 (4) [ collapse]