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

RS1065

Incident date

July 29, 2016

Location

كرم البيك, Karam al Beik, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2097752, 37.1881841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and seven civilians died and 15 were wounded in airstrikes on Karam al beik, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Alaraby, Radio Alkul, Syrianevent1 and LCCSY said that Russia was responsible.

However, AMC and Al Jazeera pointed towards the regime.

Erem blamed “Russian and regime” planes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of civilians removed from the rubble in Karam al Beik - the result of alleged Russian attacks (Youtube via AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between 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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1063

Incident date

July 29, 2016

Location

معرة حرمة, Maraat Harma, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.5497387, 36.5422624 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian – either a doctor or a nurse – died and other medical staff were reportedly wounded in an airstrike on a hospital/medical facility in Maarat Harma, local media reported – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

According to Zamanalwasl, “Assad warplanes shelled Ma’arat Harmaa, killing a civilian who was originally from Kafranbi”.

EMC and EdlibNN also said that the regime carried out strikes on the area.

Baladi, however, blamed Russia, reporting that “Russian warplanes shelled the edges of Ma’arat Harma, killing a nurse and wounding three people.”

HNN said that Russian warplanes struck a hospital, “killing a doctor and wounding the staff while rendering the hospital out of service”.

Sadaaltwhed and Syriamubashar also attributed the event to Russia.

But a number of other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

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 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
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1064

Incident date

July 29, 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

In a major casualty event, up to 25 civilians including as many as 16 children died and dozens more were wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atarib in Aleppo according to local media. Many sources – who published extremely graphic mages of victims – didn’t identify the warplanes responsible, however, a large number pointed towards Russia.

According to Baladi, “Russian warplanes carried out raids with missiles which struck the city neighbourhood, killing 15 civilians at the initial death toll and wounding 30 more – the majority are women and children. The civil defense are still working to rescue the wounded and take them to hospitals and medical points in the area.”

A video posted by Thiqa, also blaming Russia, said that there were four strikes, destroying more than six houses and killing nine children.

Arabstoday put the child death toll even higher, at 16, reporting that three locations in the city center were struck including “the main road”.

Syria News Desk put the death toll as high as 25. The source also blamed Russia. It reported: “A medic Muhannad Mohammed, for Office news Syria, said Russian warplanes carried out four raids with rockets stereochemistry and cluster on the homes of civilians amid Alotarb, killing 20 civilians, including nine children, and wounding more than 15 others.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Wife of Ammar Da’doush
Adult female killed
Two children of Ammar Da’doush
Child killed

Family members (2)

Four children of Mohammed Ali Abdul-Razak
Child killed
Fatima Jaloul, wife of martyr Usama Abdul-Razak
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Two children of the martyr Usama
Child killed
Two children whose father is Ahmad Mukhtar
Child killed
Haytham Ameen Abed
Age unknown killed
Abbas Ma’arestawi from Hayyan
Age unknown killed
Ibrahim Mohammed Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Muna Al-Nayef
Age unknown killed
Abdo Taher Taher al Omar
15 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 25
  • (5–16 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Extremely graphic photographs of the victims of alleged Russian attacks on Al Atarib, Aleppo (Tweet via @ALJASEM_MOHAMAD)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Further extemely graphic images of the child victims of alleged Russian bombing on Al Atarib (Tweet via @abo3ker)
  • Photographs of the material destruction in Al Atarib - the source alleged 'warplanes' responsible (Tweet via @thiqanewsagency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child victim of the suspected Russian shelling on Al Atarib - very graphic (Tweet via @raha_alhlo)
  • Footage of the town of Al Atarib, significant material destruction, the result of suspected Russian attacks (Youtube via Baladi)
  • Blood stained rubble in Al Atarib, suspected evidence of the civilian harm following alleged Russian attacks (Youtube via Thiqa)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bloodied bodies on the streets of Al Atarib - the consequences of suspected Russian shelling (via Jisrtv)
  • Local people in distress in Al Atarib, looking on at a dead civilian - the impact of suspected Russian attacks (via Arabstoday)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child says goodbye to his father who died in suspected Russian warplanes missile strikes (via SNHR)

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 July 29th – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17 – 25
  • (5–16 children2–3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (30) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1062

Incident date

July 28, 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

Local media reported that one civilian died and several others were wounded in a cluster bomb attack on Maarat al Numan, though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

Multiple sources published images showing the remains of cluster bombs on the ground – though many sources didn’t identify who had dropped them.

According to Maarmac12, Qasioun, Syriancoalition, SRG and LCCSY Russia was to blame.

But Nabdsyria and EMC attributed the event to the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Ibn Subhi Al-Sayed
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

  • The White Helmets collect cluster bomb remnants in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man (Tweet by @ALAMAWI)
  • The White Helmets find cluster bomb shrapnel in Maarat al Numan (Via Eldorar)
  • The Civil Defense team collect the left over cluster bombs in Maarat al Numan (via Eldorar)
  • A member of the White Helmets picks up a piece of cluster bomb, allegedly used by Russia (via Eldorar)
  • At the scene in Maarat al Numan at White Helmet member holds a cluster bomb, suspected used by Russia (via Eldorar)
  • Remnants of cluster bombs allegedly used by Russia in Maarat al Numan (via Eldorar)
  • A cluster bomb - thrown in Maarat al Numan, Russia alleged responsible (Tweet via @syrian191124)
  • A civilian among domestic items in Maarat al Numan following suspected Russian attacks (via Qasioun)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On October 28th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "The ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings have launched offensive within June and July near the Aleppo city. The Russian Aerospace Forces are providing active support to the government troops. Joint operations caused elimination of significant number of insurgents, terrorist training camps, plant producing armament, explosive devices, and combat hardware,” noted Sergei Shoigu."

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
    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

RS1061

Incident date

July 28, 2016

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al-Shughur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.814269, 36.31994 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including three children died and as many as 21 other non-combatants were wounded in an airstrike on Jisr al-Shughur in Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Shaam News Network blamed Russia, reporting: “Activists said Russian warplanes struck the Christian neighbourhood in Jisr al shoughour with several missiles, which led to the death of four people, including three children, and wounding more than 20”.

EMC, SRG and Syrian Press Center also blamed Russia.

However, according to both Orient News and Alsouria, warplanes belonging to the Syrian regime were responsible.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights didn’t identify the warplanes that carried out the attack but said that four people including a woman died, while several more were injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–21
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage of the civil defense team inspecting the ruins and rescuing the wounded in Jisr al-Shughur, following a suspected Russian strike (Youtube via CDI)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

On October 28th 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported that, "The ISIS and Jabhat al-Nusra terrorist groupings have launched offensive within June and July near the Aleppo city. The Russian Aerospace Forces are providing active support to the government troops. Joint operations caused elimination of significant number of insurgents, terrorist training camps, plant producing armament, explosive devices, and combat hardware,” noted Sergei Shoigu."

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
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–21
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1060

Incident date

July 27, 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 one and four civilians died and up to six others were wounded in Bustan al Qasr, according to local media – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime were responsible for the deaths.

Abdulkarimlaila blamed Russia, but most sources did not identify the culprit.

Orient News and Rojava, however, referred to both Russian and Syrian planes.

Zamanalwasl blamed the regime, while Ara News reported that several explosive barrel bombs fell on Bustan al Qasr.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Imad Kala’aji
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Destruction on the streets of Bustan al Qasr following alleged warplane shelling (Tweet via @Smart)
  • Dust and rubble on the streets in Bustan al Qasr, the impact of suspected warplane shelling (Tweet via @Pleaspost)

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 16th – 27th 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 – 4
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1058

Incident date

July 27, 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

Local media reported that an unidentified child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Anadan.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 strikes between July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

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

RS1059

Incident date

July 27, 2016

Location

حي السكري, Sukkari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sukkari in Aleppo, local sources reported – though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

According to Baladi, the hospital was put out of service as a result of strikes.

Halab Today blamed both “Russian and regime” warplanes.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at two.

HNN, who was among sources blaming Russia, said that one child and one man were killed in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (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, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Clouds of smoke above Al Sukkari after suspected Russian missile strikes (via @Syriafree339) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]

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 16th – 27th 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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (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, Syrian Regime

Sources (19) [ collapse]