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

RS2648

Incident date

October 19, 2017

Location

الباغوز, Al-Baghouz, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.43221, 40.99226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In what some sources referred to as “a massacre”, more than 36 civilians were reportedly killed and dozens more injured when an airstrike struck a river crossing at Al-Baghouz. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes however some either did not attribute blame or blamed “unidentified warplanes”.

As many as six families were identified by local media. Including the Al Nimr family (four killed), the Al Khanafra family (ten killed), Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath’s family (allegedly as many as nine killed), Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath’s family (allegedly as many as nine killed), Fleih Raja Al Dahouk’s family (four killed) and an unknown family.

As well as this, seven other civilians were named by various local media.

Padlf News reported that “port of Albuqamal al-Baghouz River” was the “targeted” vicinity. It was left rendered out of use due to the amount of material destruction.

Two families were killed in the raid, according to Bukmalna. Additionally, some of the “the martyrs [were] of Iraqi nationality”.

As well as the named victims below, Syrian Press Center News reported that, ten civilians from the Al Nimr family were killed and four people from the Al Khanafra family were killed in the raids. Syrian PPC also reported one unidentified member of the Dawood family.

Fjr albokamal also reported that Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath and his family and Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath and his family were killed, however the numbers were unspecific. Another source later specified that there were nine victims from the Al-Mahrath family.

There are 23 named victims from this strike, however that does not include the unspecified number of families who were allegedly killed. It is therefore likely that this number was higher.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown from the village of Hawija Al Mushahde killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown noted in the comments killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Adult female killed
Mohsen Mohammed Al-Mahrath
Adult male "and his family" killed
Osama Mohammed Al-Mahrath
Age unknown male "and his family" killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 36
  • (2 children3 women3 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the airstrikes on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via Nabd Al Boukamal)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Baghouz river crossing, 19th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)

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

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 36
  • (2 children3 women3 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2649

Incident date

October 20, 2017

Location

مويلح شمالية, Muweleh Shimaliya, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.33961, 37.143767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An entire family of four were killed when an airstrike hit their home in the night in Muweleh Shimaliya, local media said. Sources all blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes.

It is unclear whether this strike occurred on the 19th or 20th of October. Images suggest it occurred during the night.

Other civilians were reportedly wounded, but no specific numbers were given.

Many of the wounded were allegedly in a critical condition, and some were transported to hospital or other medical facilities to receive treatment.

Images show members of the family being pulled up from the rubble following “two raids on their home”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Civilian victims being pulled from the rubble which was their home following airstrikes in Muweleh Shimaliya, 20th October 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civilian victims being pulled from the rubble which was their home following airstrikes in Muweleh Shimaliya, 20th October 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civilian victims being pulled from the rubble which was their home following airstrikes in Muweleh Shimaliya, 20th October 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)
  • Civilian victims being pulled from the rubble which was their home following airstrikes in Muweleh Shimaliya, 20th October 2017. (via @SyriaCivilDefe)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2650

Incident date

October 20, 2017

Location

الشحيل, Al-Shaheel, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including two children died following air and artillery strikes on Al-Shaheel, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the strikes which “targeted residential homes”, however some did not attribute blame.

Three of the civilians who died were a mother and her two children. An elderly man was also later reported dead.

No specific numbers of injured were reported, however Sharqiya voice post an image of two children injured in the raids. 

A source reported that the artillery raids were violent and heavy.

@Al_sharqnews reported that “two raids by military aircraft targeted civilian houses, the first on the public street, and the second in the area of Al alwa” – they did not blame a belligerent and also reported there were no casualties from the incident.

Alaraby News was the first news agency to reported that four people were killed in the raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female wife of Khaldoon Al-Saleh killed
Child female killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Khalid Khaldun al-Mousa, killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Shaheel, 20th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Aswad Al-Ahmad Al-Ali, killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Shaheel, 20th October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • Child from the Awad al-Khudair Abu Hussein family who was injured in the air and artillery strike on Al-Shaheel, 20th October 2017. (via Sharqiya voice)
  • Child from the Awad al-Khudair Abu Hussein family who was injured in the air and artillery strike on Al-Shaheel, 20th October 2017. (via Sharqiya voice)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2653

Incident date

October 21, 2017

Location

جب السكر, Jib Al-Sukkar, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.488056, 37.286944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and as many as two others were injured – including a mother and sister – following airstrikes on Jib Al-Sukkar, lovcal media reported. All Sources blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

Thamer died and his “mother Faheeda Al-Ali and his sister” were also injured following the “Russian bombardment of the village of Jib al-Sukkar”.

Their home was reportedly struck in the raid.

Later on @Step_Agency put the number of deaths to two, with no specific details. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Adult female injured
Child female injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

  • The moment an airstrike hit Jib Al-Sukkar, 21st October 2017. (via @hamdw5)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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

RS2651

Incident date

October 21, 2017

Location

الغبرة, Al-Ghabra, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.537778, 40.9125 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of three was killed – including a father, mother and daughter – and one other civilian was injured, following an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, local media reported. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute any blame.

Deirezzor24 reported that there was extensive damage to property in the aftermath of the airstrikes. 

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Naeem Kafi Elias, killed in an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, 21st October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Ghabra, 21st October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2652

Incident date

October 21, 2017

Location

البوكمال, Abu Kamal, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.466049, 40.907593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A male child was killed, and his brother was injured, when alleged Russian or regime warplanes “targeted” and struck their home in Abu Kamal.

According to local media, the civilian housing was targeted and the roof of their home fell in, killing one child and wounding another – his brother.

Marsad Al Hasaka reported that the raids occurred in the morning. 

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Syrian regime for the airstrikes – but several other sources pointed to Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mahmoud Ahmad al-Hanish, killed in an airstrike on Abu Kamal, 21st October 2017. (via Euphrates Post)

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2654

Incident date

October 22, 2017

Location

العرضي, Al-Aradi, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four children from one family were killed in an air and/or artillery strike on the residential neighbourhood of Al-Aradi in Deir Ezzor city, according to local media. Sources mostly all reported that Russia was to blame, however Sharqiya voice blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia.

As many as 12 to 24 civilians were allegedly wounded in the strikes, which was described by local media as a “massacre”.

Some reports claimed the father of the four children killed also died, however others suggested he was just wounded.

A correspondent for Deirezzor24 reported that “Russian fighter jets targeted residential buildings in the cross-section controlled by the fighters of Daesh…killing at least four civilians from the neighbourhood, in addition to injuring dozens of people, including serious cases meaning that the death toll is likely to rise. The wounded were taken to medical points to be treated.”

The strikes allegedly occurred in the evening, or as one source specifies, after midnight.

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Child male killed
Child female killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Father of children
Adult male unclear whether he was killed or injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • (4 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via Deirezzor24)
  • Abdullah and Zakaria, brothers killed in air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via Deirezzor24)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)
  • One of the siblings killed in an air and artillery strike on Al-Aradi, 22nd October 2017. (via @srorelief)

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
    4 – 8
  • (4 children0–1 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2655

Incident date

October 22, 2017

Location

السميرية, Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.892969, 37.31471 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was wounded in air and artillery strikes on Al-Sumairiya, in the countryside of Aleppo, local media reported. Sources either blamed Russian warplanes for the raids, or did not attribute any blame.

There were no reported civilian deaths.

According to sources and images published, a popular market was struck. Shops were destroyed and there was much material damage to the vicinity.

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
    1
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)
  • The aftermath of air and artillery strikes on a popular market in Al-Sumairiya, Aleppo, 22nd October 2-17. (via @Step_Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]