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

RS275

Incident date

December 14, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrike on Maarat Al Numan, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Both Shaam News Network and Almarra Today reported that the Russians were responsible for firing cluster bombs on the city, while the White Helmets posted a video showing its members sheltering from what was reportedly a third assault.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Razouk al-Barbash
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Laser Barbash
Adult male named by the VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Bassam al-Ghareeb “al-Teeti”
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Raja Keshto
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Abrar al-Kurdi
Child female named by the VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing cluster bombs on the ground following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Chaos in the aftermath of an airstrike. Cluster bombs are also shown in the footage. (via, Almarra Today)
  • White Helmets survey the area and put out fires in Ma’arat Al Nu’ma following an airstrike. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child4 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS308

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

الديرونة, Daironeh, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.9452092, 36.2151003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Staif al-Wahban, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Daironeh, Hama, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Staif al-Wahban
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Daironeh (الديرونة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.9452092, 36.2151003. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS340

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

بيانون, Bayanoun, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34015, 37.05217 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed – one possibly a child – in an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery attack on the town of Bayanoun.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nidal Ahmad Amaya
12 or 21 years old male named by the Syria News App killed
Taghrid Hussein Amaya
40 years old male named by the Syria News App killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS372

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to nine civilians including two women and four children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab.

SNN reported that alleged Russian warplanes shelled the residential houses northwest of Al Bab city in eastern Aleppo suburbs, under the control of ISIL.

The IS agency Al A’maq also reported on the incident, stating that nine people were killed and 15 injured – mostly women and children, but they did not specify who was responsible. And Halab News claimed regime helicopters were responsible, after dropping barrel bombs on the city.

Among the dead Alaan TV named “four members of the family of Ahmed Abdullah Al Sha’aban including two children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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]

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 11-15 January.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15
  • 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

RS404

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

عين ترما, A'ayn Turma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5148497, 36.3494682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes and/or shelling by the Assad regime, according to local sources. However, reports need further verification as half of them speak of Russian followed by regime shelling while the other half only mention regime shelling.

Orient News published a video showing the aftermath of a alleged Russian strike on “a popular market in Ein Tarma Rural Damascus“.

In a video by Aljisr Satellite Channel the reporter states that the area was targeted by Russian warplanes and then later subjected to artillery shelling.

SMO reported: “four civilians were martyred and others were injured following the air strikes of the occupation warplanes Ein Tarma City“.

The Shaam News Network blamed shelling by the regime for killing three civilians.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anwar al-Khdrawi.
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the contested airstrike between Russia and the Syrian Regime which targeted a popular civilian market. (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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

RS436

Incident date

January 21, 2016

Location

الرقة‎, Saif al Dawla, Raqqa, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seventeen civilians including eight children and five women died in airstrikes on the Saif al Dawla area of Raqqa, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

RBSS initially referred to raids by “warplanes” and did not identify them, however, in a later post they said that Russia was responsible for bombing a number of locations, including Saif al Dawla, in Raqqa.

The Syrian Observatory said 10 civilians died, but did not say who was responsible.

Other sources, including Raqqa Post and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed Russia. The latter put the death toll at 17, including eight children and five women.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Wife of Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult female killed
Wife of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult male killed
Daughter of Mahmoud Ajjan al-Hadeid
Child female killed
Mother of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid
Adult female killed
Daughter of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 1
Child female killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 2
Child male killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 3
Child male killed
Son of Mohammad Ajjan al-Hadeid 4
Child male killed

Family members (5)

Ahmad al-Kheder al-Sahow
Adult male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 1
Child male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 2
Child male killed
Son of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow 3
Child male killed
Mother of Mazen al-Kheder al-Sahow
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Ahmad al-Khalil al-Ibraheem al-Eisa
Adult male killed
Ibraheem al-Ismaeil al-Ibraheem al-Eisa
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (8 children5 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmad al-Kheder al-Sahow, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Destruction to residential buildings in Saif al Dawla following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Local shops destroyed by the contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Destruction to residential buildings in Saif al Dawla following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The streets in the aftermath of the incident on 21st January 2016. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • An image showing the extend of the the damage on civilian homes following a contested Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • A car, totally unrecognisable due to the nature of the airstirke. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Civilians in an attempt to clear the destruction. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • More damaged cars and infrastructure. (via, Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

No Russian reports were published for January 21st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (8 children5 women5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS470

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

تراحيل, Tal Rahil (Taraheil), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2295966, 37.352829 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians including two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taraheil, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network.

SN4HR reported that three non-combatants, including two women, died when “suspected Russian warplanes” shelled Taraheil.

The Shaam News Network – also blaming Russia – put the death toll higher at six, again including two women.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS502

Incident date

January 29, 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

According to the Shaam News Network, Russian forces targeted the town of Azaz with two ballistic missiles, causing the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published an image of a young man, who came from Raqqa and was said to have died in bombing. The source does not say which day the incident occurred nor who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Amin al Kamishli
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Amin al Kamishli, killed in an alleged strike on Azaz, 29th January 2016. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]