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

RS1239

Incident date

September 8, 2016

Location

ياقد العدس, Yaked al A'adas, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2645222, 37.0187463 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female child died and several other civilians were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Yaked al A’adas, according to local media.

The majority of sources blamed Russia, though several did not identify the warplanes responsible for the event.

According to reports the girl was originally from Aleppo.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shahed Murjan
7 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (11) [ 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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1368

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

تير معلة, Teir Ma'ala, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.802214, 36.709353 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child, Abdulmalik al-Ahdab, was reportedly killed in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala near Homs.

Syria News Desk wrote that “A 15-year-old boy was killed and other civilians were wounded in the late hours of the night yesterday [Sept 29th] by the Russian warplanes targeting the village of Teir Ma’ala.”

Most sources agreed that the strikes were conducted by Russia. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, said they were Syrian regime strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulmalik al-Ahdab
15 years old male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the destruction caused by the contested airstrikes on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via @SyrianNews2)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    15-year old Abdulmalik al-Ahdab was reportedly killed as a result of Russian or regime airstrikes in Teir Ma’ala in northern Homs countryside, 29th September 2016. (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An attempt to revive Abdul Malik al-Ahdab's body from the rubble, following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Teir Ma’ala, Homs, 29th September 2016. (via SyriaRev)

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 September 1st – 30th 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
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1498

Incident date

October 23, 2016

Location

Al Teeba, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

35.08831, 38.914261 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One girl died and several more civilians were wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Teeba area in Homs, according to sources on the ground.

According to the Syrian Press Center ,”Russian air strikes on Sunday [Oct 23rd] targeted a camp for the displaced in the area of Taybeh in rural northern Homs, resulting in the death of a girl and the injury of other civilians.”

The Step News Agency also blamed Russia, as did LCCSY – though in a later post LCCSY noted that the regime also launched several strikes on the area on this day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

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)
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1706

Incident date

November 27, 2016

Location

الميسر , Al Mayssar neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.212011, 37.171227 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

@RFS_NORTH tweeted that “the forces of the regime bombardedthe Al-Maysar and Karam Tarab neighborhoods in Aleppo with heavy artillery shells” – but made no mention of civilian harm.

But according to HNN, one unidentified civilian died from a Russian strike on the Al Mayssar neighbourhood.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1808

Incident date

December 29, 2016

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr Al Shoghour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male was killed, and two or more were injured, in alleged Russian airstrikes which struck the residential neighbourhood of Jisr Al Shoghour. All sources attributed blame to Russian aviation, which it is reported to have carried out four raids on the vicinity.

According to one source the attack consisted of three cluster bombs raids, whereas another source said rocket propelled grenades were used. There are additional reports which suggest missiles were launched on the vicinity.

Smart News confirmed that the wounded were taken to a nearby medical facility where they received treatment.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Hani Al Sheikh
Adult male killed
Abd al-Nasir Haj Musa
Age unknown male injured
Mohamed Mostafa Hajj Khader
Age unknown male injured

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Jisr Al Shoghour (جسر الشغور), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.81425, 36.319812. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 December 1st – 31st 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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3574

Incident date

January 11, 2019

Location

اللطامنة, Al Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3219885, 36.6234398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 14-year-old girl was reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Al Lataminah in northern Hama, according to sources on the ground.

Local sources reported that a woman and her two daughters were wounded and that the girl died from her injuries hours later.

There are varying reports about the exact number of wounded, as some sources reported that only the mother was wounded while another source reported that up to five people were wounded.

Although all sources blamed Russia, some added that the airstrike was conducted by an unmanned armed drone. Airwars understands that Russia doesn’t operate unmanned armed drones in Syria, while the Syrian and Iranian regimes do.

Horrya News blamed an airstrike by the Assad regime for the girl’s death.

Smart added that the girl was hit by “rocket fire” – but didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rufaida Satouf al Hdeiri
14 years old female from al Latamena town in Hama killed
Mother of Rufaida Satouf al Hdeiri
Adult female from al Latamena town in Hama injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the funeral of a girl alleged killed in a Russian airstrike (via Step News).
  • Funeral of 14 year old Rafida Sattouf al-Hudairi who was alleged killed in a Russian airstrike (via Ala’ Al Deen Ref’at).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2149

Incident date

April 20, 2017

Location

كفرزيتا, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3747033, 36.5923691 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was killed in the night, following an alleged Russian raid on Kafr Zita, according to local media. Two of the sources blamed Russia for the raids, and the third did not attribute any blame.

There were no reports of any wounded civilians.

There are no more details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Diae Faraj al-Hosain "al-Khawadi"
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (3) [ 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 April 1st - 31st 2017.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS3593

Incident date

February 28, 2019

Location

خان شيخون,, Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named adult male civilian died and several others were wounded in alleged Russian or regime artillery shelling on Khan Sheikhoun on February 28th, 2019, local media reported. Most sources blamed regime forces stationed at Qabariya camp, though Smart – citing activists – pointed to Russian forces.

According to Orient News, “Assad militia targeted the city of Khan Sheikhoun with more than 20 artillery and missile shells, killing at least one civilian and injuring two others.”

@FB83a9CJaVKcK9P said the city’s Al Shouhada’ mosque had been bombed and published images showing damage.

Enab Baladi blamed a “rocket and artillery bombardment” for the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

Enab Baladi’s correspondent added that “the shelling targeted eastern neighbourhoods in Khan Sheikhoun, causing extensive damage to homes, as well as human casualties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Baroud أحمد مخيبر بارود
50 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Destruction in Khan Sheikhoun, Feb 28th 2019 (via Horrya)
  • Destruction to the city's Al Shouhada’ following the strikes on Feb 28th 2019.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Translation: “Khan Sheikhoun-Idlib-Syria. There is no power but from God. Children and women displaced by the crimes of Assad and the world is silent” (via @hart_leon55).
  • Al Shouhada’ Mosque in Khan Sheikhoun was reportedly targeted in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on February 28th, 2019 (via @FB83a9CJaVKcK9P).
  • Al Shouhada’ Mosque in Khan Sheikhoun was reportedly damaged in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on February 28th, 2019 (via @FB83a9CJaVKcK9P).
  • Inside of Al Shouhada’ Mosque in Khan Sheikhoun, which was reportedly targeted in alleged Russian or Syrian regime air or artillery strikes on February 28th, 2019 (via @FB83a9CJaVKcK9P).

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (15) [ collapse]