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

RS1640

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

باب الحديد, Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2019233, 37.1680892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reportedly killed in an air or artillery strike on the Bab al-Hadid neighbourhood, Aleppo, according to a single source.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported: “at least four victims died due to suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Bab Al Hadeed neighborhood in Aleppo city, November 19, 2016.”

There were few details provided, but @Shahed_Alep reported that “ten artillery shells landed on the Bab al-Hadid roundabout in Old Aleppo”.

Other sources published images showing destruction of the neighbourhood, but made no mention of civilian harm or who had carried out the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016. This is reportedly an image of the destruction caused on Carpenter Street. (via HNN)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016. This is reportedly an image of the destruction caused on Carpenter Street. (via HNN)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016. This is reportedly an image of the destruction caused on Carpenter Street. (via HNN)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016. This is reportedly an image of the destruction caused on Carpenter Street. (via HNN)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016 (via Shehab Agency)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016 (via Shehab Agency)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016 (via Shehab Agency)
  • The airstrikes inflicted great damage on the neighborhood of Bab Al Hadeed, Aleppo, on November 19, 2016 (via Shehab Agency)

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1639

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

الهللك, Huluk, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.237367, 37.171512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that Syrian or Russian airstrikes and artillery killed up to four civilians and injured several more in the al-Huluk neighbourhood, Aleppo.

Sources reported that al-Huluk was among the many neighbourhoods in Aleppo which was subject to air raids and artillery shelling that day. The shelling reportedly killed between three and four civilians.

While several source did not identify a culprit, Map News and the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the incident to Russia while just one source, @RFS_NORTH blamed the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • 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]

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

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 – 4
  • 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

RS1638

Incident date

November 19, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous, Aleppo, Aleppo , Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and as many as 15 more were injured following airstrikes targeting al-Fardous, Aleppo, local sources reported.  The sources were, however, not clear as to whether the Syrian regime or Russia were to blame for the strikes.

Sources reported that between two and four civilians were killed in the strikes, while one source, @aboalhodaalhoms, mentioned that two children and one woman were among the victims. The same source also reported the highest number of wounded,15, while one other source merely referred to “several” wounded. 

HNN attributed the incident to Russia while Sky News blamed both the Syrian regime and Russia. But most of the sources did not identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • Chaotic aftermath of the strikes targeting al-Ferdous, Aleppo, November 19, 2016 (via Aleppo SDC)
  • Chaotic aftermath of the strikes targeting al-Ferdous, Aleppo, November 19, 2016 (via AMC Aleppo)
  • Footage of the immediate aftermath of the contested strikes targeting al-Ferdous, Aleppo, November 19, 2016 (via @aboalhodaalhom)
  • Aftermath of contested strikes targeting al-Ferdous, Aleppo,November 19, 2016 (via @abomustafa1976)
  • Footage of the contested airstrikes as they are targeting al-Ferdous, Aleppo on November 19, 2016 (via Baladi News Network)

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

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
    2 – 4
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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

RS1622

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

جمعية الهادي, Jami'yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.232182, 37.007208 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, a child and an elderly woman, were reportedly killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jami’yat Al Hadi, Aleppo, according to local media.

All of the known sources which attributed the event to a belligerent, reported that Russian warplanes were responsible.

Shahba Press reported that the event was Russian air raids, whilst Step News Agency added that a Russian “land to land missile also fell on the town.”

Multiple sources mentioned wounded civilians, however, none suggested how many had been wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

50 years old female killed
3 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: The martyrdom of the child Hassan Mohamed Hayek in the raids of the Syrian regime on the town of Hayyan in the western countryside of #Aleppo.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between November 5th – 30th 2016

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1625

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

حي 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

Four to six civilians were killed, and up to 24 were wounded in alleged air and artillery strikes on Al Sakhour, Aleppo.

Some sources attributed blame to Russian warplanes, while others blamed the Syrian regime. However, one source blamed both belligerents for this airstrike.

There was confusion among sources as to the type of bomb used for this raid. One source claimed that poisonous chloride gas was used, in continuation of raids on other parts of Aleppo earlier on in the day.

However, some sources have also reported that high explosive missiles were used in the aerial bombardment of the vicinity. Similarly, the term “parachute missile” was used by multiple sources. One source even reported that artillery rockets and air rockets were used in the raid.

Reports claim that civilian homes were seriously damaged in the airstrikes.

Muheet reported that “The Al-Sakhour neighbourhood was hit by rocket and artillery fire by the forces of the regime, resulting in civilian casualties and destruction of their homes and properties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged air and artillery strikes on Al Sakhour, Aleppo, 18th November 2016. (via @mo3taz891)

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
    4 – 6
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1621

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

بلدة حيان, Hayyan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians were killed in an airstrike on Hayyan Town, Aleppo – though it is unclear whether the Assad regime or Russia were responsible, with conflicting reports.

Civil Defense Personnel named one of the civilians who was killed as Fuad Mohammed Hayek.

Some sources, such as Emaratalyoum News reported that it was Assad’s regime who were responsible for the raids in Hayyan:

Dozens of civilians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured by the Syrian regime’s helicopters throwing dozens of explosive barrels at the besieged neighbourhoods of Aleppo…The fighters also used cluster bombs in other neighbourhoods in the northern suburbs of the city, targeting the cities of Hreitan, Oujan and Hayyan town with rockets.”

Step News Agency, who placed the death toll at one civilian death, attributed responsibility for the event to Russia, stating: “One person killed and a number of others injured following Russian raids on Hayyan in the northern countryside. A land to land missile also fell on the town.”

HNN listed two civilians having died during the raid on Hayyan.

There was no further information as to how many were wounded in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One civilian, Fuad Mohammed Hayek, who died in an airstrike on Hayyan. 18th November 2016. (Via: Civil Defense Personnel in Hayan).
  • The burial of Fuad Mohammed Hayek, who died in an airstrike on Hayyan on 18th November 2016. (Via: Civil Defense Personnel in Hayan).
  • The aftermath of shelling on the town of Hayyan, 18th November 2016. (Via: Civil Defense personnel in Hayan).

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
    1 – 2
  • (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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1620

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

بلدة حريتان, Hraytan town, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 10 civilians were killed and “dozens” injured in an airstrike on Hraytan, Aleppo, according to a report by the Step News Agency.

Step said: “More than ten killed and dozens injured – most of them women and children – and survivors were pulled out from under the rubble following Russian raids on the town of Hraytan.”

All other sources also attributed responsibility for the event to Russian warplanes, besides Emaratalyoum News, who reported that Assad’s regime were active in Hraytan: 

Dozens of civilians were killed and dozens of civilians were injured by the Syrian regime’s helicopters throwing dozens of explosive barrels at the besieged neighbourhoods of Aleppo…The fighters also used cluster bombs in other neighbourhoods in the northern suburbs of the city, targeting the cities of Hreitan, Oujan and Hayyan town with rockets.”

The source, @Anas_Alhage, reported that the Russian air force carried out five strikes “with surface rockets” on Hraytan on November 18th. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The moment of extraction of two children from the rubble in the city of Hreitan.

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
    10
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1624

Incident date

November 18, 2016

Location

مساكن هنانو, Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.228558, 37.2000933 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as six civilians – including women and children – suffocated to death, and up to 19 were injured, when an explosive barrel containing poisonous chloride gas struck the residential neighbourhood named Masaken Hanano, Aleppo, local media reported.

Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame for the alleged chloride attack. Some sources alleged that Russian warplanes were to blame, and others blamed the Syrian regime, however, most sources reported that helicopters dropped the explosive barrel bombs on Masaken Hanano, Aleppo. 

Footage shows the remnants of the bomb shell still mostly intact in the aftermath of the raid.

One source reported that there were over 12 casualties in two areas on the 18th, including Masaken Hanano (Aleppo) and Hamra.

Video footage also shows the extent of damage which was caused by the raids.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–19
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Remnants of the bomb which dropped poisonous chloride gas on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via AMC Aleppo)
  • Interviews with local civilians in the aftermath of the chloride gas attack on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via JisirTV)
  • Video showing an interview with a survivor of the chloride gas attack on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via Mojahedin)
  • Remnants of the bomb which dropped poisonous chloride gas on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via Smart)
  • Aftermath of the poisonous chloride gas attack on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via AMC Aleppo)
  • Fires being extinguished in the aftermath of the poisonous chloride gas attack on Masaken Hanano, 18th November 2016. (via @ShahbaPress)

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
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–19
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]