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

RS1386

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

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

According to local media, alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes hit and destroyed a major hospital in al-Sakhour in Aleppo, killing up to four civilians and wounding 15 more.

Al Jazeera reported: “Russian and Syrian warplanes shelled  the biggest hospital still working in Eastern Aleppo, destroying it and forcing it out of service, as well as killing two people and wounding others”.

Sky News also referred to the hospital as “the biggest in Eastern Aleppo”, reporting that it was “bombarded for the fourth time on Saturday [Oct 2nd]. Four people were killed and 15 at least wounded”.

But Focus Aleppo reported that no civilians were killed, citing the director of hospital who said that “no staff were in the hospital at the time and that no casualties were reported.”

While most sources (Nader, @abd_horan, @Syriapost1, @abdulgrafordyab, al Araby TV, and Focus Aleppo) attributed the incident to Russia, Al-Jazeera pointed to both the Assad regime and Russia as the culprits.

However, according to SMO, explosive barrels holding chlorine were dropped on the building. They described how the chloride fell into a water tank which allegedly made it less effective.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)
  • Sakhour hospital is rendered out of use following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on 2nd October 2016. (via Qatar Red Crescent)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 4
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1384

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

الهلّك, al Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.231951, 37.170997 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and others were wounded in what most sources said was a Syrian regime artillery strike on Aleppo’s al Halak neighbourhood. There was, however, one allegation against Russia.

But @al-AMAWI, @Free_TV_Syria, Smart News Agency, Step News Agency, LCCSY and Halab News Network all pointed to a regime artillery strike causing civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

80 years old named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (9) [ 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 October 1st – 19th 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
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1383

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

According to local media, up to four unidentified civilians died and as many as dozens more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo’s al-Ansari neighbourhood.

According to Maser Press, “four civilians were killed and dozens wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Al-Ansari”.

Other sources put the death toll at between one and four, with five more injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • Interviews portraying the aftermath of the alleged raid on Al Ansari, 2nd October 2016. (via, Albuzaiai Alma’ari)
  • A child wanders in the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Al Ansari. (via, Smart News)
  • Civilian homes destroyed as a result of alleged Russian raids. (via, JisirTV)
  • A crater formed as a result of alleged airstrikes on Al Ansari. (via, Baladi)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, Baladi)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, Baladi)
  • A man clearing up rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Thiqa News Agency)
  • Civilians clearing up rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Thiqa News Agency)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, Thiqa News Agency)
  • Civilians clearing up rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Thiqa News Agency)
  • Civilians run for safety just moments after the alleged Russian raid on Al Ansari. (via, Alamawi)
  • Just moments after the alleged Russian raid. (via, Alamawi)
  • A child runs for safety just moments after the alleged Russian raid on Al Ansari. (via, Alamawi)
  • Civilians run for safety just moments after the alleged Russian raid on Al Ansari. (via, Alamawi)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–24
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1382

Incident date

October 2, 2016

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including a child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Hraitan outside of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

The illegal use of cluster bombs was mentioned by several media, while all sources identified Russia as the culprit.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Mokhalalati
12 years old male killed
Ahmad Hajj Hassan
20 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammed Mokhalalati, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian raid. (via, Hamedredwan)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1381

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

اللطامنة, Ltamenah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians including a girl died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on al Latamna, Hama, according to local media.

Sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person. In this instance they have been listed as two people.

According to Syrian News Desk, “a young girl and an elderly woman were killed and more than ten civilians injured when Russian warplanes targeted  the town of Al-Lataminah with more than six missiles”.

Three houses were reportedly destroyed in the strike.

Jsirtv tweeted that the strikes made use of “explosive barrels filled Chlorine”, indicating that the regime could have been responsible.

Mahmud al-Hamwi reported the use of illegal cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Raw’a Walid Al-Mohammed
3 years old female killed
Khadija (Um Daher)
Age unknown female sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person killed
Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein)
Age unknown male sources were not clear whether or not Khadija (Um Daher) and Hussein Al-Saleh (Abu Hussein) were two people or one person killed
Abdur-Rahman Abdul-Karm Al-Khatabiya
26 years old identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed
Abdul-Jabbar Fawaz Al-Ahmad
35 years old male identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed
Muhanad Nazih Al-Abbas (Al-Khaled)
25 years old identified as "fighters of Jaysh Al-Izza" killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment the alleged raid hit. (via Hassan_khaleil)
  • The exact moment the alleged raid hit. (via Hassan_khaleil)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Hassan_Khaleil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Raw’a Walid Abdullatif, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Ltamenah. (via, Ali-Syrian2011)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhanad Nazih Al-Abbas, a militant, his shirt reading "Jaysh Al-Izza". (via, Alassad20143)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A woman holds her dead child in the aftermath of an alleged raid. (via, Rasd News)
  • The exact moment "cluster missiles" rained on Ltamenah, 1st October 2016. (via, Mahmood Alhamwi)
  • Raw’a Walid Al-Mohammed and Khadija (Um Daher), both killed on October 1st in Ltamenah following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid. (via, Shbablatamneh3)

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 October 1st – 19th 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
  • (1 child1 woman0–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1380

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that the village Kafr Hamra outside of Aleppo was struck by “four” alleged airstrikes which led to the death of one man. According to NabdTV “the Civil defence forces recovered the body of a senior citizen from the rubble which was stuck there for two days”.

A range of local media also reported that the strike was carried out with the use of illegal phosphorus missiles.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Ali al Abdallah
65 years old male named by Halab News Network killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid on Kafr Hamra. (via, Thiqa)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

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

RS1379

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

الفرجة, al Farjeh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5197196, 36.8458989 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians including three children and several women died and up to 20 more were wounded in airstrikes on the al-Farej camp outside of Idlib, according to local media – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

Qasioun and Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the strike to Russia, though some other sources pointed to the regime.

According to the Smart News Agency, “regime warplanes carried out four raids in Al-Farjeh displaced camp in the countryside of Idlib killed six civilians, including three children and two women, and wounded others”.

Zaman al-Wasl News also blamed the regime, putting the death toll at four including a woman, and noting that cluster bombs were used in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Qausion)
  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Lebanon360)
  • A displaced persons camp, struck by alleged Russian and Syrian regime strikes, 1st October 2016. (via, Smart News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of al-Farej (الفرجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35,5197196, 36,8458989. 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

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 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
  • (3 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1378

Incident date

October 1, 2016

Location

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

Up to two people including a child died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Aleppo’s al Sakhour neighbourhood, according to sources on the ground. Reports said that the strike hit a hospital.

According to IranArabSpring, “an unidentified six-year-old child’s body was delivered to the mortuary in Aleppo. He was killed in Al-Sakhour hospital shelling”.

Meanwhile, Al-Jazeera reported that “two people were killed and others wounded due to Russian and regime warplanes shelling in Al-Sakhour hospital”.

Many sources, such as Hamsa al-Yousef and Halab News, reported the use of chlorine gas, cluster and phosphorous bombs.

Sources were split on whether Russia or the regime were to blame – though it was suggested that both parties played a role.

According to LCCSY, “Assad’s helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the field hospital in #Sakhour neighborhood while Russian warplanes targeted it with two cluster bombs and a bunker-busting bomb, which left one civilian dead and put the hospital out of service”.

Rudaw News reported that “regime helicopters targeted Al-Sakhour hospital with explosive barrels and destroyed it. Some were killed and others wounded”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The remnants of a hospital which was struck by an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid on 1st October 2016. Footage shows wounded and civilian casualties. (via, Baladi)
  • The exact moments the alleged Russian or Syrian regime phosphorous bombs struck Al Sakhour. (via Baladi)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, SUDsyria)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, Smart News)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Smart News)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Rozana FM)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of an unidentified 6 year old child, killed in the alleged Russian and Syrian raid on Al Sakhour. (via, IranArabspring)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)
  • Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime strike. (via, Thiqa)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)
  • Damage to the inside of Al-Sakhour hospital in the aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Thiqa)

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 October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–2
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]