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

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:

Muhammad Badr
Adult male killed
Ahmad Shekh
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
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.”

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
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.”

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]

Incident Code

RS1649

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabia, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514157, 36.487656 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five children were killed and up to 20 were wounded – including 15 students and four teachers – following an artillery bombardment and airstrikes which struck Al Nashabiya School in Damascus, also named by another source as “Al Karma” Primary, according to local media. Most sources have either not attributed any blame or have blamed Russian warplanes for the alleged air and artillery strikes.

One source claimed that the missiles which struck the school caused huge amounts of material damage. Images published supported this claim. According to Syrian-Reporter, “The missile targeted the construction of the fourth row near the administrative guidance room, which caused great damage to the building, and led the school to being completely out of service.” Another source reported that rockets struck the area.

The doctor, “Anas”, working in the hospital, a statement to Smart News, suggested that “the unidentified aircraft, struck the Al Karma primary school in the town of Nashabiya, killing a student and wounding more than 15 other students and teachers. There are no military headquarters around the school.” The doctor also reported that “among the wounded are serious cases, which suggests the number of victims will increase.”

Video footage shows the extent of damage to the school, which was apparently struck on Sunday during school hours. Blood covers the floor and the classrooms are rendered out of use. Other photographs and video footage show seriously wounded children received medical treatment in a field hospital in the aftermath of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Cidra Bustani
Child killed
Huda Spinati
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strike on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. Footage also shows civilian casualties. (via Yasser Alfawwal)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @tayserturban)
  • A girl crying while she is treated in a medical facility in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strike on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via Baladi news network)
  • A child's textbook following a Russian attack on a school. (via @malik_Al_kal)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strike on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. Footage also shows civilian casualties. (via Alfares)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child receives treatment in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @YasserAl_Ahmed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @YasserAl_Ahmed)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @YasserAl_Ahmed)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @shbabRevolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child receives treatment in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @shbabRevolution)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child receives treatment in the aftermath of the alleged Russian air and artillery strikes on a school in Al Nashabia, 20th November 2016. (via @shbabRevolution)

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 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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • (1–5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–20
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1648

Incident date

November 20, 2016

Location

حزرما, Hazrama, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51718, 36.48874 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her unborn child were killed – and others were wounded – as a result of alleged Russian warplanes which struck a school in Hazramaon, Damascus, the afternoon of Sunday November 20th, according to sources on the ground.

Most sources blamed Russian warplanes for the death of the woman, however some sources do not attribute any blame.

According to one source the woman was a student, however the name of the school remains unidentified. Additionally, one source claims that civilian housing was also struck in the raid by rockets.

A powerful image Tweeted by @amer_almohibany, shows the mother of the woman who was killed crying over her body.

The incident occured during the day.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The mother of a pregnant woman who was killed by alleged Russian warplanes which struck Hazrama, 20th November 2016. (via @amer_almohibany)
  • The mother of a pregnant woman who was killed by alleged Russian warplanes which struck Hazrama, 20th November 2016. (via @amer_almohibany)
  • The mother of a pregnant woman who was killed by alleged Russian warplanes which struck Hazrama, 20th November 2016. (via @amer_almohibany)

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 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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

RS1637

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

الصاخور, al-Sakhour, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that several civilians were killed and injured following Russia or Assad regime airstrikes targeting the city of al-Sakhour, Aleppo.

Sources did not provide detailed information about the victims, and most sources merely referred to ‘several’ or ‘numbers’ of killed and wounded.

However, several reports mentioned that the city had been struck by chlorine gas, leading to suffocating. For instance, @aboalhodaalhoms said that there were “a number of cases of suffocation among civilians following helicopters dropping explosives containing chlorine poison gas in the Al Sakhour district.” Barrels bombs are known to be used by the regime, meaning that its involvement in this event can’t be ruled out.

Additionally, at least three sources reported the use of cluster bombs in the attack.

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, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ 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 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
    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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1636

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

قاضي عسكر, Qadi Askar, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.2025, 37.17361111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to eight civilians, including two children and two women, were reportedly killed and more than 20 were wounded due to alleged Russian or joint Russian-Syrian regime shelling of Qadi Askar, Aleppo, local sources reported.

Most sources reported that eight civilians were killed by the airstrikes, while just one, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, placed the death toll at seven, and added that two women were among the victims.

The twitter profile @freedomrise2My reported that his brother Abu Kamel lost two of his children in the airstrikes.

Several sources pointed to Russia as responsible for the incident. And while no known sources pointed to the Syrian regime solely, several attributed blame to both the Syrian regime and Russia. Hence, the incident remains contested.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child of Abu Kamel
Child killed
Child of Abu Kamel
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A tweet saying that the two children of a man named Abu Kamel were killed during the airstrikes on Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Nov 19th (via @freedomrise2 )

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime
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.

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 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (2 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1635

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

حي الانصاري, Al-Ansari, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes targeting Aleppo’s Al Ansari neighbourhood reportedly killed between five and seven civilians and wounded up to dozens, reported local media – though sources disagreed as to whether the strikes were carried out by Russia or the Syrian regime.

None of the victims were identified by name, but most sources reported that the death toll was five, while others mentioned six and seven. Moreover, the strikes reportedly wounded between two and dozens more people.

Several sources mentioned that explosive barrels dropped by helicopters had been used in the shelling.

According to Micro News, “activists said that five civilians were killed on Saturday morning [Nov 19th] and dozens more were wounded when helicopter gunships fired explosive devices at a civilian defence centre in the Al Ansari district, causing considerable damage to the centre and surrounding buildings.”

Most of the known sources pointed to Russia as the culprit, while only one attributed blame on the Syrian regime.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the destruction caused by the strikes on Al Ansari, Aleppo, Nov 19th (via Buraqa Media)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Civil Defence rescuing civilians in the aftermath of the airstrikes on Al Ansari, Aleppo, Nov 19th (via SDC)

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 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
    5 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1641

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

مرج الزهور, Marj Al Zuhur, Idlib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.742153, 36.365309 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Airstrikes, targeting the village of Marj al-Zuhour in the countryside of Idlib, killed up to nine civilians, reportedly from the same family, including one woman and three children, and injured up to another 24. Sources were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Most sources put the death toll at eight, adding that the victims were from the same family. The twitter account Tahrir Al Sham identified the family as the Emad al-Khalil family. Reportedly, one woman and three children were among the victims. Meanwhile, the number of wounded spanned from two to 24.

Among the sources who identified a culprit, most attributed the incident to Russia. LCCSY reported that “Russian warplanes carried out a thermobaric missile attack on the Marj Zuhur village.” A handful, however, blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

eight martyrs of the Emad al-Khalil family
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

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
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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]