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

RS1646

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

ارض الحمرا, Ard Al Hamra, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.229216, 37.208977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians, including a child and a woman, were reportedly killed and several more were left wounded following two airstrikes targeting Ard al-Hamra, Aleppo, local sources reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Syrian regime as the culprit while HNN attributed the strikes to Russia.

Meanwhile, SPM News was not clear in its reporting whether the Syrian regime or Russia was to blame for the strikes, or if both were responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Wounded civilian being carried away following the contested airstrikes struck Ard al-Hamra, Aleppo on November 20, 2016 (via @Alresalahpress)

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1645

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

كرم الجبل, Karm al-Jabal, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2105198, 37.1769404 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that between one and two civilians were killed and that several more were left injured following alleged Russian airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Karm al-Jabal in Aleppo.

All of the sources, who identified a culprit, pointed to Russian warplanes.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

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 – 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
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1644

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

جبل بدرو, Jabal Badro, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.215661, 37.204642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians from the same family, including a woman, were killed by airstrikes targeting the neighbourhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo, local media reported.

Most sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while SPM Syria and several other sources said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrels, meaning the regime could have been responsible.

Several sources identified one of the victims by name, who worked as a nurse at the local Al-Sakhour Hospital. He was reportedly killed along with his wife and brother. The couple left a nine-days old baby girl behind.

In total, sources reported that between three and ten civilians were killed by the strikes.

Only one source mentioned the number of wounded, reporting that nine civilians were left injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Keffah
Adult male killed
Wife of Kefah
Adult female killed
Brother of Kefah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A victim identified as Keffah, who was working as a nurse at the local hospital, was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian strikes along with his wife and brother as the neighborhood of Jabal Badro, Aleppo was struck on November 20, 2019 (via Shafak Organization)

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 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
    3 – 10
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1643

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians, including a family of six with four children, were reportedly killed by aerial shelling containing chlorine gas in al-Sakhour, Aleppo, local sources reported. It clear as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Sources reported that explosive barrels containing chlorine gas were fired from helicopters during the night between November 19 and 20, and the family of six, four children and their parents, were killed by suffocation.

While the majority of the sources put the death toll at six, other sources mentioned as many as ten to 15 died.

A doctor who was treating the civilians following the attack told Smart News that as many as 30 civilians were left wounded.

Most sources attributed the incident to the Syrian regime. However, one source, SPM News, reported that both the Syrian regime and Russia were to blame.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 15
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims, reportedly killed in the bombardment with chlorine gas in the neighborhood of al-Sakhour, Aleppo on November 20, 2016 (via SDC Aleppo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Four siblings were reportedly killed by chlorine gasses dropped from either Russian or Assad warplanes as they hit al Sakhour, Aleppo on November 20, 2016 (via @revo_spring)

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 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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 15
  • (4 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1642

Incident date

January 20, 2019

Location

الشعار, Al Shia'ar, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2085139, 37.1855771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 12 civilians, including children, were died in alleged Russian airstrikes in the al-Sha’ar neighbourhood of Aleppo, local media reported. Up to 60 civilians were left wounded.

Several sources reported that a family – a father and his children – was among the victims.

One source showed a video of a woman mourning the death of her husband. Other sources reported the death of a father and his eldest son, both identified by name. The number of wounded spanned from 24 to as many as 60.

Additionally, several sources reported that cluster bombs had been dropped during the shelling.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Yasser Hajj Ali
Adult male killed
Ammar, son of Yasser Hajj Ali
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–60
  • 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]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Images of the chaotic aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes that left several killed and dozens wounded in the city of Al Shia'ar, Aleppo on November 20, 2016 (via @MoAl Hlukhatieb)
  • Immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Al Shia'ar, Aleppo on November 20, 2016, that inflicted heavy injury upon the civilians (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Images from the aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Al Shia'ar, Aleppo on November 20, 2016, (via @zabataringo22)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yasser Haj Ali and his eldest son Ammar were reportedly among the victims following the alleged Russian aerial shelling of Al Shia'ar, Aleppo on November 20, 2016 (via Mustafa Horan)

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 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
    4 – 12
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–60
  • 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

RS1652

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a single source claim, five civilians were killed – including three brothers under the age of 18 and their mother, and a man – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

6 years old male from Douma, mothers name Samar Reslan killed
12 years old male from Douma, mothers name Samar Reslan killed
4 years old male from Douma, mothers name Samar Reslan killed
Adult female Mother of children named above, from Douma killed

The victims were named as:

22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1651

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

سقبا, Saqba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.519286, 36.382427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a single source claim, three named adult males were killed due to Russian shelling on Saqba.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Mohammad Bassam Barakat
Adult killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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 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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1650

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one civilian was killed – another source reported “martyrs” suggesting multiple – and between one and two were wounded following alleged air and artillery strikes on Arbeen.

Sources are conflicted regrading who was to blame. Two sources blamed Syrian regime warplanes for the raids, and only one blamed Russia. Other sources remained impartial.

According to sources, residential buildings were struck in the airstrikes and “heavy artillery shelling”.

An on the ground source reported that there were two raids overall. LCCSY however reported that there were seven raids on Arbeen.

Video footage shows a wounded woman being transported to a medical facility by the White Helmets.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A wounded female adult is transported to a medical facility by the White Helmets in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raids on Arbeen, 20th November 2016. (via SDC Algouta Al Sharqia)

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 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.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]