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

RS644

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female nurse died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Anadan, according to local sources.

According to SHRC, “Iman Layla, died after being wounded in Russian airstrikes which targeted the hospital in Anadan.”

Halab Today said the victim was a nurse, while Micro Syria reported that many civilians were injured in the strike. Both sources blamed Russia. Anadan Media and Syrian Martyrs also attributed the incident to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iman Layla
Adult female Named by SHRC killed

Summary

  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • 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

RS676

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373059, 36.112682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians died and up to 20 were injured in Khan al Sheikh according to local sources – though only one explicitly blamed Russia, with the majority of others pointing to regime shelling.

According to Qasioun, one civilian died in regime shelling. Smart, Orient and Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre blamed the regime, with Smart saying that 20 civilians were also wounded.

According to SMO, “Assad’s forces shelled the area around Khan Sheikh refugee camp, killing at least two civilians and wounding two people.”

Syrian Human Rights Committee named Zuhair Ghazi Fa’our as killed in a “bombardment”, but didn’t say who was responsible. Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies also named him and blamed Russia for his death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zuhair Ghazi Fa’our
Age unknown named by the Syrian Human Rights Committee killed
Bakri Al Kabiri
Age unknown named by Shaware3_Mo5ayam killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids hit Khan al Shiekh. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously injured adult males receiving medical treatment. (via, Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS708

Incident date

March 4, 2016

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, according to several local sources. She died of her injuries two days later. One source says that a female died in a barrel bomb attack – suggesting a possible regime action.

The victim was named by the VDC as Baydaa Abdul Lateef al Sayer. DPN also named her as a victim of Russian bombing, as did Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies and The Syrian Human Rights Committee, SPC and Deir Ezzor Press.

According to JisrTV, one female was killed – but by “a barrel thrown by a helicopter” indicating a possible regime action.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Baydaa Abdul Lateef al Sayer
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

RS740

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young adult male civilian died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Qasioun reported: Palmyra City was the target this morning of intensive raids by Russian aviation, amounting to about 35 strikes, in which aircraft used cluster bombs, “causing a number of deaths and injuries and destruction of buildings and property.”

The Violations Documentation Center and Palmyra City Revolutionary Committee named 20-year-old Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem [pictured] as a victim of an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he was killed in a strike by regime warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem
20 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem, 20 years old, victim of air strikes targeting Palmyra (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

RS772

Incident date

April 27, 2016

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians died and 16 were injured in a Russian or regime attack on Marja.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said three civilians died as a result of Russian strikes.

LCCSY also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at four. But the Syrian Mirror said the regime was responsible, reporting that four died and 16 were injured. The incident was also reported in a tweet by Maheralhaj425, speaking of “injuries in Al-Marjeh”. SPC news furthermore reported that “warplanes launched air strikes on buildings in Marjah district on Thursday, killing at least a number of wounded civilians in addition to a large mass in the target area by Aleppo today.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    16
  • 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

RS805

Incident date

May 22, 2016

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.062057, 36.871512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

It was reported that nine female farmers died when remains of cluster bombs allegedly fired by Russia exploded.

Al Jisr TV also reported this information, but said this occurred in Kafr Hamra – which is possibly a mistake.

Because of near-identical copy by all media, this is presently classed as a weakly reported incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (9 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (9 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS838

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الهلك, 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

Up to 15 civilians died in an incident in Huluk, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing two civilians in the Huluk neighborhood.

Baladi also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at two with four injured.

Alsouria reported eight civilians killed.

However, other sources blamed the regime.

Sky News was among other news outlets who said the regime had shelled “Al-Hulluk, Al-Sakhour, Shikh Khoudur and Hanano”, killing 14 non-combatants.

Smart News did not report any deaths, but said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed by “regime artillery”.

According to a tweet by LCCSY, “regime helicopters threw explosive barrels on Al-Hulluk neighbourhood in Aleppo.”

In a video, a White Helmets worker said that “an explosive barrel was thrown and caused the death of over 15 civilians and wounded tens of people.” They did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Al-Hulluk massacre which caused by two explosive barrels and killed more than 10 civilians" (Youtube via AMC)

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 June 1st – 31st 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 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS870

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local sources said that two civilians died in an airstrike on Hraytan – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The White Helmets published a video and image of them extinguishing a fire in a “civilian car” which they said had been caused by “helicopters firing barrel bombs” – suggesting that this was an attack by the regime.

However, subsequent posts by the White Helmets spoke of “raids using vacuum missiles” and “Russian raids“, indicating that this may have been the work of the regime and Russia.

Other sources pointed towards Russia, with Syria_24s saying that Moscow launched 13 raids with cluster bombs.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, and said that two non-combatants were killed. According to Damas_time: “the Syrian Air Force targeted armed groups in Handarat and Haritan and the perimeter of the military school.”

Two victims were named – as killed by Russian cluster bombs – by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdelgani Hasan al-Bayaa
Adult male killed
Abdelaziz Jaklan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • A team of rescuers at the aftermath of an alleged barrel bomb attack on Hrayatan (Youtube by Madinet Haritan)
  • "Baghdad street was hit by missiles in Haritan on the second day of Ramadan" (Youtube by Anadan Media Center)
  • "Destruction of stores and residential buildings in Baghdad street in Haritan" (Youtube by Qasioun News Agency)
  • "More than a 1000 Russian raids targeted Kafr Hamra, Anadan, Haritan, Hayan, Ma’aret Al-Arteeq, Qabir Al-ingleezi in an hour" (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • A car burns on Baghdad Street in Hrayatan after alleged barrel bomb attack (Tweet via Thiqa News Agency)
  • "Martyrdom of Abdul-Aziz Jaqlan and many others were wounded in cluster bomb shellings in Haritan" (Tweet by HalabTodayTV)
  • "civil defence putting out a fire in a civilian car following helicopters firing barrel bombs on the town of Hraitan in the northern Aleppo countryside" (via White Helmets Facebook)
  • "civil defence team move a martyr killed following the air raids using vacuum missiles on the town of Hraitan in the northern Aleppo countryside" (via White Helmets Facebook)
  • "removing the rubble and opening the roads following the russian raids on Hraitan" (via The White Helmets Facebook)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (32) [ collapse]