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

RS1079

Incident date

August 1, 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

Five civilians were killed and dozens more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan al Sheikh, local media reported.

According to Halab Today, “four civilians from one family were martyred following Russian air strikes targeting Khan al Sheikh camp for Palestinian refugees in the western Damascus countryside.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also reported on the incident, but blamed the Syrian regime. The Network said that “5 victims including 3 children and a woman died in government warplanes missiles fired on Khan Al Sheih Camp in Damascus suburbs, August 1, 2016.” A later post by SN4HR said that four victims from one family died.

According to @DamasCoordinate, “artillery shells fell on the West Side and the centre of the camp”. Baladi blamed regime artillery.

A number of other sources said that “explosive barrels” and rockets had been fired.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Mohmad Assad
Adult male named by Yarmouk63 killed
Wife of Mohmad Assad
Adult female named by Yarmouk63 killed
Child of Mohmad Assad 1
named by Yarmouk63 killed
Child of Mohmad Assad 2
named by Yarmouk63 killed

The victims were named as:

Hiasham Yahya Shihabi
Age unknown named by actgrup_pal killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hiasham Yahya Shihabi, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, actgrouppal)
  • Image showing some of the damage caused. (via, SyrianPC)
  • Image showing some of the damage caused. (via, LCCSY)
  • Image showing some of the damage caused. (via, Abarah Press)
  • Image showing some of the damage caused. (via, Jisir TV)

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 August 1st – 10th 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 – 5
  • (2–3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS1080

Incident date

August 1, 2016

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.738466, 37.0479584 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

More than 10 civilians were killed in alleged airstrikes in Abu al Duhur, close to the location of a downed Russian warplane, according to multiple sources. Reports are conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible for the deaths.

Syria Newsdesk reported that “Russian warplanes targeted with more than 30 raids the location where a Russian helicopter was downed in eastern Idlib and the villages of southern Aleppo, which led to the deaths of civilians and wounding of others, amid attempts by civil defence to remove victims trapped under the rubble.”

Halab Today also blamed Russia for the incident, but reported “more than three raids.”

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also spoke of “intensive raids carried out by a Russian warplane in the Abu al-Duhur area in the eastern countryside of Idlib.” It reported that at least 12 citizens were killed, including two children and two female citizens, one of them an old woman, with others injured.

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian aggression planes poured their anger on civilians”. It spoke of “many violent air strikes” in the villages close to the crash site of the Russian helicopter. Activists told the network that the raids killed at least ten people and left dozens wounded.

The LCCSY also put the death toll at ten and said that “more than 20 were injured due to Russian airstrikes with vacuum missiles and cluster bombs”. In a later post it stated that 16 people were “killed in the battle breaking the siege on Aleppo and by the Russian airstrikes on the village of ‪#‎abu_zohour‬”. In a third post, the LCCSY restated that the raids were carried out by Russia in the area where a Russian helicopter was downed and the five-member crew was killed.

Syria News Desk also reported the incident and spoke of “more than 30 raids killing at least nine civilians and wounding more than 25 others”.

The Violations Documentation Center listed five civilians and said they were killed by ‘Russian troops’, including an unnamed female child, and an unidentified male child.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights mentioned the incident, however blaming“government warplanes and its allies”. It reported “government forces shelling on Tal Al Toqan town and its neighbouring villages in the suburbs of Idlib governorate” and put the death toll at 13.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Eid Elaiwi al-Hamadi
Adult male killed
Abd al-Naser al-Assaf
Adult male killed
Baeir Ibraheem al-Mohammad
Adult male killed
Daughter of Riad Makeen
Child female named by VDC killed
Jassim Mohammed Khalif
28 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Bair Ibrahim Al-Mohammad
65 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Riad Makain Almthan
5 years old female named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Hassan Hussein Seikho
30 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
An anonymous martyr
15 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Anwar Mohammed Juma
70 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Muhammad Ali Owaid
70 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Fateem Mohammed Al Jassim
60 years old named by abu.adduhur.mc killed
Ayat Mohammed Ghajar Fateem
Child female named by abu.adduhur.mc killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Abu Adh Dhuhur, Aug 1st (via Orient)
  • An injured man is rescued from the rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Ara News)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Deceased civilians are covered. (via, Smart News)
  • The exact moment the raids hit. (via, All4Syria)
  • The immediate aftermath of the incident in Abu al Dahur. (via, Alaraby News)

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 August 1st – 10th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children2 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–30
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1076

Incident date

July 31, 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

Four civilians died and seven others were wounded in airstrikes on Anadan, local sources said, though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Most of the sources, however, attributed the event to Russia.

According to a Facebook post by Anadan Hospital, “Russian warplanes shelled the hospital with parachute missiles and poisonous missiles containing gas. This destroyed the hospital completely, which was the only one in the northern countryside  still operating.” The hospital posted a series of images showing the destruction.

Anadan Media put the death toll at four.

According to the Shaam News Network, both Russian and regime warplanes carried out raids. It said that “warplanes targeted civilian houses and main streets in the city with rockets, resulting in three martyrs and the injury of several more people – some critically. Civil defense teams worked to transfer the bodies to hospitals, while raids caused widespread destruction to residential buildings and public facilities”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Zamzam
37 years old male killed
Abdullah Haj Ahmad Shaheen
Age unknown male killed
Yunus A’war
33 years old killed
Ibrahim Ali Juneid
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan Hospital, July 31st (images via Anadan Hospital on Facebook)
  • A destroyed hospital interior in Anadan - the results of suspected Russian warplane shelling (via Anadan Hospital)
  • Medical equipment strewn across the room in Anadan hospital - the impact of alleged Russian shelling (via Anadan Hospital)
  • A room in Anadan hospital - Russian warplanes allegedly struck with parachute missiles and poisonous missiles (via Anadan Hospital)
  • Dust settled on a room in Anadan Hospital - the aftermath of alleged Russian shelling (via Anadan Hospital)
  • A room in Anadan Hospital - destroyed following alleged Russian warplane shelling (via Anadan Hospital)
  • A hospital room left in ruin following alleged Russian shelling on Anadan (via Anadan Hospital)
  • The night time scene in Anadan - flames and smoke rise above the hospital where alleged Russian warplanes struck (via Enab Baladi)
  • Smoke clouds rise above Anadan - the source alleged Russia responsible (via Anadan media)
  • Suspected Russian strikes on Anadan leave plumes of smoke above the neighbourhood (via Anadan media)
  • Footage of suspected Russian warplane shelling on the last remaining hospital in the area - the hospital was consequently out of service (Youtube via Alan tv)
  • The White Helmet team collects body parts of civilians killed in suspected Russian shelling on Anadan. Footage also shows mass material destruction (Youtube via Anadan Media Center)

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 July 29th – 31st 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
    4
  • (3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1077

Incident date

July 31, 2016

Location

Jeb al Qebr, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.196941, 37.168054 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to LCCSY, “Russian warplanes, along with Assad’s warplanes and helicopters, committed a massacre that claimed the lives of 16 people when they targeted the Medical Center the  Job_Qebba‬ neighborhood and houses in the ‪‎Ansari‬ and ‪Sukkari‬ neighborhoods with dozens airstrikes and barrel bombs”.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • 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 July 29th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1074

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One named child died and a number of other non-combatants were injured in an airstrike on Ar Rastan, according to local media – though it was unclear whether planes belonging to the Syrian regime or Moscow caused the casualties.

The victim was also named by some other sources, though they didn’t identify the warplane which killed him.

A video by Talbisa Mubashar network showed children and other civilians being rescued following strikes by “Assad’s and Putin’s warplanes”.

M-alaloush tweeted that “warplanes targeted a civil defense ambulance while they were doing their duty and saving lives in Ar-Rastan”.

According to Syriamubashar, two civilians were killed in the strike – though the source, like a number of others, did not apportion blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Majd Al Qasab
Child killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets save civilian children from the destruction in Al Rastan - the human cost of alleged warplane shelling (Youtube via Talbisa Mubashar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets treat victims from an ambulance in Ar Rastan following suspected Russian shelling (Tweet via @M-alaloush) [Page no longer available - accessed via airwars archive]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man is treated for injuries sustained in alleged Russian strikes on Ar Rastan (Tweet via @M-alaloush) [Page no longer available - accessed via airwars archive]
  • A person with a bloodied shirt walks past the White Helmets vehicle in Ar Rastan (Tweet via @M-alaloush) [Page no longer available - accessed via airwars archive]
  • Plumes of smoke rise above Ar Rastan after alleged Russian airstrikes (Youtube via Homs Alrstn)

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 July 29th – 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
    1 – 2
  • (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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1075

Incident date

July 30, 2016

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 died and several more were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan, according to local sources.

Syrian Press Center, Smart News Agency, Zakaria Nassani, Eldorar, Iraqsunahnews, RFS, EMC and LCCSY all blamed Russia.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian wounded in suspected Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Numan (Tweet via @ZakariaNassani)
  • A civilian girl is treated for injuries sustained following alleged Russian shelling on Maarat al Numan (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A little girl recieves medical treatment in Maarat al Numan - wounded in alleged Russian attacks (via Eldorar)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of the wounded in Maarat al Numan - the impact of suspected Russia attacks (Tweet via @baladinetwork)

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 July 29th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1070

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and seven civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on Kafr Naha, local media reported – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The majority of sources “Qasioun, Sadaaltwhed, Halab News, Alamawi, Jisr tv, Syrian Press Center) pointed towards Russia, with death counts varying between five and seven civilians.

According to Horrya, both Russia and the regime were responsible. It put the death toll at seven with dozens more injured.

A number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes that carried out the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Danied Al-Shabbout
Child killed
Shahed Al-Shabbout
Child killed
Abdo Al-Shabbout
killed
Kamal Al-Shabbout
killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video of the alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Naha, Aleppo (via Qasioun)
  • A street in Kafr Naha where suspected Russian shelling demolished buildings (via SN4HR)
  • Suspected Russian warplanes attacked Kafr Naha - photographs reveal material destruction on the neighbourhood (Tweet via @thiqanewsagency)
  • The White Helemt rescue mission in Kafr Naha - suspected Russian warplanes responsible for civilian casualties and material destruction (Tweet via @jisrtv)

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 July 29th – 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
    5 – 7
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–24
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1071

Incident date

July 30, 2016

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1375975, 36.8284035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a single source, HNN, one civilian died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Atarib.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fahd Hassan al Hajji
35 years old 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
    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 July 29th – 31st 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
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]