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

RS627

Incident date

February 16, 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

Six civilians including up to five children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights initially attributed the incident to the Assad regime by posting an image of a child whom they said was wounded when regime warplanes fired on the neighborhood. However, it then changed position and reported that at least two children died in an attack by “suspected Russian warplanes“.

But Shaam News Network said Russia was to blame and that five civilians had died. According to the White Helmets, a raid by a “warplane” (they did not say who it belonged to) “led to the death of an entire family made up of 5 people.” The White Helmets posted a graphic video showing three children and their mother being removed from the rubble. The caption of a second video read: “An entire family made up of 4 people was killed and the civil defence manage to rescue two people from under the rubble.” AMC put the death toll higher, at five children.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A very graphic video showing deceased children killed in the alleged raid. (via, AMC)
  • White Helmets trying to rescue people at the scene of the attack (deleted from Facebook)
  • The aftermath of the alleged strikes (via Orient)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of two children supposed killed in the attack. (via, Dmagoooo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man saves a wounded child. (via, SN4HR)
  • The White Helmets attempt to rescue trapped civilians. (via, The WHite Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing deceased children killed in the alleged raid. (via, AMC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (3–5 children1 woman)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2846

Incident date

January 3–4, 2018

Location

عربين , Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Smart News Agency reported: “The Civil Defense in the countryside of Damascus said six civilians from one family, including two children and a woman, were killed and others injured, as a result of Russian raids overnight on residential neighborhoods in the city of Arbeen.”.

The Step News Agency also put the death toll at six and blamed Russia.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1094

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

المنصورة, Al Mansoura, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1996458, 37.0546765 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six named civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Al Mansoura in the western suburbs of Aleppo, local sources said.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, on “Wednesday evening 3 August 2016, alleged Russian warplanes carried out two airstrikes on the residential homes located in the northwestern areas of Al Mansoura town, located in the western suburbs of Aleppo governorate – an under the control of armed opposition factions – resulting in the killing of six individuals (four children and two women) most of whom were from the same family.”

SN4HR, however, was the only source directly blaming Russia; others didn’t apportion blame, meaning that the regime can’t be ruled out. Furthermore, some sources stated that there had also been artillery shelling on Al Mansoura on this day.

No one else was reported injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Shahed Saleh Yusuf
4 years old named by Halab News killed
Fatima Saleh Yusuf
2 years old female named by Halab News killed
Mohammed Dib Saleh Yusuf
10 months years old male named by Halab News killed
Hala Yusuf Yusuf
5 years old named by Halab News killed

Family members (2)

Fatima Mohammed Al-Ahmad
23 years old female named by Halab News killed
Walla Juma Al-Ahmad
22 years old female named by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (7) [ 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 August 1st – 10th 2016.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children2 women)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2083

Incident date

April 6, 2017

Location

اللطامنة, Lataminah, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and six civilians were killed, and others were wounded, in an airstrike on Lataminah. Sources were conflicted as to who was to blame, with most blaming Syrian regime helicopters, whilst some others blamed Russian warplanes. Smart News Agency reported unidentified warplanes fired missiles. 

One source reported that an entire family of six were killed, however most sources alleged an adult male was killed in his car which was struck.

There was confusion amongst sources as to whether or not this attack was a chloride gas attack or not. Many sources reported it was, due to reports of a “foul smell” and footage of bright yellow smoke clouds. It has been since reported by both Smart and Thiqa News Agencies that a diesel car was struck in the raid, which is what caused the huge smoke and fires.

Additionally, it was reported that barrel bombs, drones and missiles were used in the raid.

According to Thiqa news, civilian homes were destroyed.

Syria-mirror reported that there were several strikes on Lataminah which struck residential homes and wounded “others”. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment an airstrike on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via Alhadath)
  • The exact moment an airstrike on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via Mahmood Al-Hamwi)
  • Zayed Awad al Rajab, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Lataminah, 6th April 2017. (via VDC)

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 specific strikes between April 1st - 31st 2017.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS028

Incident date

October 8, 2015

Location

بليون, Belyon, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.696091, 36.504654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six people were reported killed at Belyon due to warplane shelling. VDC named one woman as a victim of the strike.

Smart News later posted a video showing a civilian clear-up operation in the village. One witness noted: “Here there were six martyrs, two from the village of Balian and four displaced from Sahil Al Ghab. Are these the terrorists? There were two women, two children and two older men over 60 or 70 years old. We don’t have any armed elements either in the bombed area or outside of it. Russian planes are using around 8 bombs for each raid. We could tell it was Russian planes via some sources. The pilot was speaking Russian.”

Another witness said “I suddenly saw a red line descend from the sky to the ground. It struck just 100 meters this way and then they came back and struck this way killing lots of people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult female VDC says she is from Badria but killed in Balyoun due to Russian shelling. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Belyon (بليون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.696091, 36.504654. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia reported a total of 22 lethal sorties for October 8th 2015, although made no mention of Idlib governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS221

Incident date

December 3, 2015

Location

عربين, Arbeen, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.538143, 36.364331 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six non-combatants including two children were reported killed, and more than 15 injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on Arbeen, according to the Shaam News Network which reported that the alleged raid led to the destruction of residential buildings and the homes of civilians.

All six victims have been named.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ihssan Karnaba
Age unknown killed
Osama Al Toam
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Al Zaghlul
Child male killed
Wissam el Habet
Child killed
Moayed Alarbiniyah
Age unknown killed
Nabil Jazzar
Age unknown killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the destruction in Abeen. (via, All4Syria)
  • Video footage which includes graphic images of the victims. (via, All4Syria)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Arbeen, for which the generic coordinates are: 33.538143, 36.364331. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS3726

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Location

احسم, Ihsem, Idlib , Syria

Airwars assessment

At least three children of the same family were killed and several civilians were injured in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem on May 28th, 2019, according to local sources. The death toll was later updated to six civilians.

Many sources reported that three children were killed from the same family in the attack, named by Syrian Network for Human Rights as Mustafa, Ali and Ahmad Ayman Sarhan. Hossam Sarhan wrote on Facebook that the boys were the children of Ayman Sarhan. The discovery of their bodies was documented in a video by Step News Agency.

@MMCSYR2 posted a video of the incident, stating that in addition to those killed, there were “many wounded”. @ShahbaPress also reported an unknown number of injured. The Syrian Civil Defence volunteers searched for victims trapped underneath the rubble.

Ariha Today later stated that “the number of martyrs in the town rose to six after a girl was removed from the rubble, and a mother and daughter could not be found following the repeated bombardment of the town.”

While several sources, such as Ebaa News, blamed Russia for the airstrikes, others, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, pointed to the Syrian regime. Some sources, such as @so_ria98, blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Child male son of Ayman Sarhan killed
Child male son of Ayman Sarhan killed
Child male son of Ayman Sarhan killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: "Children killed by air bombardment of the Syrian regime and its allies on the town of South of Idlib" (via Step News)
  • Translation: "The Syrian Civil Defense teams are still searching for trapped under the rubble in the town Ehsem in Jabal al-Zawiya as a result of targeting the air force, which killed many martyrs and wounded." (via Idlib Plus)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrike on Ehsem, Idlib, May 28th (via Idlib Plus)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrike on Ehsem, Idlib, May 28th (via Idlib Plus)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrike on Ehsem, Idlib, May 28th (via Idlib Plus)
  • Rescue efforts in the aftermath of the airstrike on Ehsem, Idlib, May 28th (via Idlib Plus)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “Town of Ihsem little while ago” (via @mosh3oz450).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “Russian terrorism in the town of Ihsem in Idlib countryside” (via @aboalhodaalhoms). 
  • Translation: “Martyrs, wounded and trapped under the rubble following a raid by Assad's regime, targeting the center of the town” (via @blaas083).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photos of children injured and killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem, May 28th, 2019 (via @sadroyal1).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of boy, who was killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem, May 28th, 2019 (via @sadroyal1).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Severly injured or killed child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem, May 28th, 2019 (via @sadroyal1).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of boy killed in alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on Ihsem, May 28th, 2019 (via @sadroyal1).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “+18 video: A horrific massacre committed by Asaad regime warplanes in Ihsim town, rural Idlib, three children were killed and many civilians wounded” (via @MMCSYR2).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (3–4 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3910

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Location

حنتوتبين, Hantoutin, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

@Step_Agency claimed that Russian forces carried out airstrikes on Jisr al-Shughour, Ma’rshurin, Hantoutin, Deir Sennbel, Heesh, Sahiyan and Tabish in rural Idlib, killing six civilians and injuring dozens across these locations.

Other sources claimed the Syrian regime warplanes struck these areas with 60 raids without indicating number of casualties.

No other details are known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]