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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
4805 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS1361

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Location

Qadi Askar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2025, 37.17361111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four people were killed in airstrikes on Qadi Askar in Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

AMC reported that two children were killed, while The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said “at least one child” had died, while AleppoAMC put the number at four.

Most sources didn’t name the belligerent, though Syrian Press Center pointed to Russia, while the Step News Agency mentioned both Russia and the Syrian regime -and reported the use of cluster bombs.

Other sources said that missiles were used.

24Aleppo and Halab News gave the highest death toll of four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Qadi Askar, 28th September 2016. (via AleppoAMC)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
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
    2 – 4
  • (1–4 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1360

Incident date

September 28, 2016

Location

المعادي, Al Ma'adi, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1914827, 37.1630799 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 17 civilians were reportedly killed in the Al Ma’adi neighbourhood in Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether this was the result of Russian airstrikes or shelling by the Syrian regime.

Syriansnews reported the attack as a joint action: “Seventeen civilians were killed on Wednesday [Sept 28th] and dozens were injured – in an initial toll – in artillery shelling by Assad’s forces and strikes by Russian aircraft.”

Many sources reported that a bakery was hit in the strike. For example, Enabbaladi said: “Six civilians were killed and dozens more injured in a bomb attack on a bakery in the Ma’adi neighborhood of Aleppo.”

According to the Step News Agency,  the strike hit the bakery “when people had gathered to buy bread in the morning.”

Step went on to say that “the Assad regime and its ally Russia deliberately have been bombarding vital centers and targeting civilians in Aleppo city’s neighbourhoods for the tenth day in a row”.

The lowest death count of four was given by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

But Syriapost1, AlHadath, 24Aleppo and others said that as many as 17 people perished.

Syria News Desk reported that three of the victims were children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anas Hakk
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 17
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    What looks like an injured or deceased civilian following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Ma'adi, 28th September 2016. (via Syrian News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic image of a man killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Ma'adi, 28th September 2016. (via freedomrise2)
  • Bread left on the floor following an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Al Ma'adi, 28th September 2016. (via Hibrpress)

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
    4 – 17
  • (3 children)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1359

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and eight civilians died in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground.

LCCSY reported that the neighbourhood was struck with phosphorus bombs, resulting in the death of “four or more people”.

Annahar gave the highest death toll of six civilians.

Most sources including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Step News Agency, the Shaam News Network and Syria News Desk reported that either five or six non-combatants died.

Several people were injured in the attack, according to various sources. Al Jazeera wrote: “In the Al Mashhad neighbourhood, east of Aleppo, six people were also killed and scores were injured in high-explosive missile attacks.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the extensive destruction in Al Mashad, civilians killed in alleged Russian strikes and pulled from the rubble, September 27th (via @ALAMAWI)
  • The destruction on the streets of Al Mashad following alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via @ALAMAWI)
  • Fires blaze in Al Mashad, Aleppo, the aftermath of alleged Russian shelling on September 27th (via @Step_Agency)
  • The White Helmets extinguish fires in Al Mashad following alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th (via @tv_shada)
  • A blaze in Al Mashad, the impact of alleged Russian shelling on September 27th (via Step)
  • The White Helmets work through the rubble and exinguish fires in Al Mashad, after suspected Russian attacks on September 27th (via Step)
  • The White Helmets and local people survey the scene in Al Mashad following alleged Russian airstrikes on September 27th (via Step)
  • Clouds of smoke plume from a building in Al Mashad - the impact of alleged Russian shelling on September 27th (via Step)

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1357

Incident date

September 27, 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

Between one and two civilians were reportedly killed and six more wounded in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Kafr Hamra north of Aleppo.

Step News Agency reported: “Two people were killed and six injured following Russian raids on Kafr Hamra in the northern Aleppo countryside.”

LCCSY reported that only one civilian was killed.

Ghada12180130 reported the use of a bunker buster missile and posted an image of the crate caused by the explosion.

Free TV Syria reported that barrel bombs were used which indicates that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime.

SRV_News reported a total of 18 airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photograph of the pit formed from the fall of a bunker buster in the town of Kafr Hamra following suspected Russian warplane strikes on September 27th (via @Ghada12180130)

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 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1358

Incident date

September 27, 2016

Location

الشعار, Al Shia Ar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2085139, 37.1855771 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between nine and 27 civilians including six children were reportedly killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Shia’ar neighbourhood of Aleppo.

LCCSF reported the lowest number: “Five martyrs and more than 15 wounded were reported among civilians due to Russian airstrikes targeting Al Shia’ar neighbourhood in the besieged part of Aleppo.”

Alamawi and Maryam Gheytani reported that 24 people, among them many children and women, were killed.

But Syriansnews put the death toll as high as 27.

According to Sdusyria, four families were trapped after the rubble as one of missiles struck a residential building.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that the incident took place in Al Albesa Al Rejjaliya Street, while Step News added that a four-storey building was hit.

While most sources pointed directly to Russia as the culprit, Douma.Revolution referred to a “bombing by the aircraft of Assad and his ally Russia”, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “government forces and its allies”.

Syriapost1 and other sources named the following victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Raghad Sheikh Qassem
6 years old killed
Aisha Sheikh Qassem
1 years old killed
Sabah Sheikh Qassem
6 years old killed

Family members (3)

Hussein Akhtarini
6 years old killed
Eman Akhtarini
20 years old killed
Hayat Akhtreni
24 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Hadil Farhoudi
5 years old killed
Wafa Hamsho
50 years old killed
Khaled Kafr Nawi
12 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 27
  • (6 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (22) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the extensive material destruction on the Al Shia Ar neighbourhood of Aleppo, the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (Youtube via 963 963)
  • A building in Al Shia Ar, Aleppo, destroyed following alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (Youtube via Step)
  • A reporter shows the extent of material damage in the Al Shaar neighborhood of Aleppo, September 27th (Youtube via Halab Today TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Ghazal Akhtarini is pulled from the rubble after surviving the alleged Russian attacks on Al Shia Ar, September 27th (Youtube via Thaer Mohammed)
  • Extensive material destruction on Al Shia Ar, the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via Enabbaladi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child is treated and saved, for injuries sustained in alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via @Omar_Madaniah)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic image of a civilian trapped within a demolished building in Al Shia Ar, the impact of alleged Russian warplane shelling, September 27th (via @RevolutionSyria)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A medic carries a civilian child away from the site in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via @syria7ra)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of civilians caught in the rubble and the extensive material destruction on Al Shia Ar. The impact of alleged Russian shelling, September 27th. (@ShahbPress)
  • Graphic video of civilian children pulled from the rubble by the White Helmet rescue team in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (via @RevolutionSyria)
  • Rescue teams attempt to save civilians from the destructions in Al Shia Ar, the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th. (via @AleppoAMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs the civilians rescued from the rubble in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via @AleppoAMC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very distressing image of a child covered in blood and dust in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian warplane attacks, September 27th (via @mo3taz_khattab)
  • A birds eye photograph of a street in Al Shia Ar, destroyed following alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A man stands amongst the rubble in Al Shia Ar, following alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A street scene in Al Shia Ar following alleged Russian airstrikes, September 27th (via HNN Facebook) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little boy held in the arms of a White Helmet member, following alleged Russian warplane shelling on Al Shia Ar, September 27th (via @shbabRevolution)
  • Footage of the rescue mission in Al Shia Ar, the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes, September 27th (Youtube via SNN)
  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016_en

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [English]

  • At_least_49_massacre_in_September_2016

    A SN4HR report entitled - 'At least 49 massacres in September' details the events in Al Shia Ar, September 27th (PDF via SN4HR) [Arabic]

  • A civilian boy held in the arms of a local man in Al Shia Ar reveals the human cost of alleged Russian shelling, September 27th (via SN4HR report)
  • A civilian child wrapped in cloth and held by a medic, allegedly killed by Russian warplanes in Al Shia Ar. The photograph appeared against reports of different incidents - therefore it is unclear if it should be attributed to events in Al Shia Ar on September 27th (via SN4HR report)

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
    9 – 27
  • (6 children2–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    15–24
  • 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 (36) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1355

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and 13 civilians were reported killed alleged Russian or Syrian regime artillery strikes on the Bustan Al Qasr neighbourhood in Aleppo.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least three civilians including a child died due to alleged Russian warplanes missiles firing on Bustan Al Qasr neighborhood in Aleppo city”

AleppoAMC posted a picture of a five-year-old child, whose dead body was recovered from the rubble.

But Halab News reported that the strike was conducted by helicopters, meaning that regime involvement can’t be ruled out – while Shahed-alep said that the civilian harm was caused by artillery shelling.

Smart News put the death toll at 13 with six more injured, noting the use of cluster bombs in the attack.

However, most sources put the death toll at five.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bakri Sinda
5 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage shows many wounded civilians on the back of a vehicle in Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The human cost of alleged Russian warplane shelling. (Tweet via @mabw7773)
  • A photograph of Bakri Sinda who died in suspected Russian shelling on Bustan al Qasr, September 26th. The child was pulled from the rubble by the Civil Defense team. (via @AleppoAMC)

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
    3 – 13
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1356

Incident date

September 26, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LCCSY reported four dead civilians as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al Mashhad neighbourhood of Aleppo.

It added that “some people were wounded.”

Currently there is no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ 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
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1354

Incident date

September 26, 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

Between three and four civilians were reported killed in Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the Al Halak neighbourhood of Aleppo.

While most sources claimed that the strikes were conducted by the Syrian regime, a number of outlets reported the strikes were Russian.

Syriamubasher wrote: “A woman and two men died as a result of raids by Russian aircraft on the Al Halak neighborhood in Aleppo.”

According to LCCSY, “four civilians died and dozens were wounded as Russian warplanes carried out thermobaric weapon attack on the Halak neighborhood.”

Akhbar Alaan reported the use of phosphorus and napalm bombs in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (22) [ 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.

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 woman2 men)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]