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

RS564

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

البوعمر, Al Buomar, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2376014, 40.2660513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Naji al Izbeh, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buomar, according to the Violations Documentation Center and other local sources – though there is some confusion among sources as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

In an initial tweet, LCCSY said this was a strike by the regime, killing one civilian and wounding others. However, in a second tweet it appeared to change position and blame Russia, again naming Naji al Izbeh as killed.

Al Jisr said a number of individuals had been killed – including children – in a raid by “military warplanes“, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “regime planes targeted last night the village with three missiles destroying three houses.” However, the time is given as “last night“, with further research required.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Naji al-Izbeh
Adult male Named by VDC

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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.”

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ 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:

Omar Abdulhameed Shbat
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
Official source

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

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:

Qasem Mahmoud Samoa
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
Official source

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

RS3858

Incident date

June 29, 2019

Location

مشون, Mashoun, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

One woman reportedly died as a result of a heart attack following an airstrike on her home in Mashoun, Idlib, on June 29th.

Shaam News reported that “Russian and Assad planes launched heavy and violent air raids on [a number of] cities and towns” on June 29th, leading to the injury of civilians in Mashoun.

Xeber24 said: “In addition, five aircraft targeted, with several air strikes, the headquarters of extremists in the town of Kafr Shalaya and the outskirts of the town of Mashoun in Jabal al-Zawiya and the town of al-Habit in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

Meanwhile, Edlib Media Center alleged that “a woman died of a heart attack as a result of the exposure of her home to an airstrike by military aircraft in the town of Mashoun.”

Smart News wrote: “In the context, a woman died as a result of a heart attack after the regime’s warplanes bombed the neighborhood next to her neighborhood in the village of Balshoun in the southern countryside of Idlib.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrike on Mashoun on June 29th, 2019 (via Idlib Plus)

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS820

Incident date

May 30, 2016

Location

منظومة شام الإسعافية, Sham Aiding system Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.9248791, 36.6296947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that “alleged Russian fixed-wing warplanes targeted the Sham Aiding system in Idlib city. As a result one civilian was killed and four vehicles belonging to Sham aiding system were damaged in addition to damages to the nearby buildings.”

AH Relief – which published pictures of destruction following an attack – made no mention of casualties but reported: “six ambulances of Sham aiding system were hit in the warplanes shelling yesterday. 2 of them are out of service now.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • translation: 6 ambulances of Sham aiding system were hit in the warplanes shelling yesterday. 2 of them are out of service now. (via ahfrelief)
  • Photo of the aftermath. (via SNHR)

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 May 1st – 31st.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1494 Rs2450

Incident date

September 14, 2017

Location

سعلو, Deir Ez-Zor, Sa'alu, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.141173, 40.363297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female civilian, died in an alleged airstrike on the village of Sa’alu, according to local media. The US-led Coalition and Russia were both cited as culprit, amongst multiple references to unidentified aircraft.

According to Qasioun, the Coalition bombed Sa’alu as part of an aerial offensive that targeted multiple villages in the east of Deir Ezzor – Baqiras, Sa’alu and Zubari. Qasioun noted “significant material damage” and alleged no civilian casualties.

Sdusyria was the only source that named Russia responsible, they reported “Russian warplanes and helicopter gunships launched dozens of air raids on the neighborhoods of the city of Deir Ghazur” including Sa’alu, one civilian casualty was documented in the report. @asharqasouri also reported the effects “limited to material damage”, and did not specify an actor.

A later report by Deirfree documented the death of one woman and injury of others, allegedly caused by the “spread of cluster bombs among civilian houses”, which caused “panic among the people”, they did not attribute blame. Euphrates Post subsequently named Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher. The majority of sources did not identify the aircraft responsible, with the Coalition receiving one allegation, as did Russia. The US-led Coalition had informed Airwars that as a result of their deconfliction agreements, they had ceased to conduct strikes entirely in Deir Ezzor city.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ms. Aisha Ahmed Al-Zaher “Umm Daham” wife of Jarad Al-Hamdan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Sa’alu (سعلو), for which the coordinates are: 35.141173, 40.363297. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 13th - 14th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, nine strikes [2 or more British] engaged four ISIS tactical units and destroyed two tactical vehicles, an ISIS fuel station and a fighting position"

For September 14th – 15th, the Coalition reported “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.” and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Wednesday 13 September – a Reaper twice engaged terrorists on foot, as well as a truck-bomb, whilst Tornados and Typhoons struck a Daesh building, all near Dayr az Zawr…On Wednesday 13 September, another Reaper continued patrolling near Dayr az Zawr. It used two Hellfire missiles to attack terrorists spotted on foot, then employed a third missile to destroy an armoured truck-bomb positioned next to a main road. A mixed Tornado and Typhoon pair meanwhile targeted a group of Daesh in a building nearby, scoring a direct hit with a Brimstone.’

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2770

Incident date

November 29, 2017

Location

الجلاء, al-Jalaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.632043, 40.830081 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One male civilian was killed and several left wounded in an alleged Russian air raid in the crossing of al-Jalaa, Deir Ezzor, local media reported.

The male civilian fatality was reported and identified him by name by multiple sources.

Syrian Human Rights Committee added that “others” were left wounded and reported how the city had been struck by several air strikes.

Both Violations Documentation Center Syria and Smart News Agency identified Russia as responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Hamad al-Aboud al-Hamada al-Maghlatani
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (6) [ 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 November 4th - 20th 2017.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1596

Incident date

November 16, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young civilian male or child died in Darat Ezza, Aleppo, “as a result of the explosion of one of the remnants of cluster bombardment”, according to multiple local sources. An unknown number of civilians were also injured in the event, according to All4Syria.

It was unclear who was responsible for his death – as reports from incidents close to the area around the time cited both the Assad regime and Russia as active in the area. No sources directly linked the civilians death with a particular belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouawiya Ibrahim Tinno
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Muawiya Ibrahim Tanno died after a remnant of a cluster bom exploded in Daret Ezza, November 16th (via @AnasAlhage)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones”.

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (9) [ collapse]