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

RS1032

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

غوطة دمشق, Eastern Ghouta, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.51388889, 36.49861111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eastern Ghouta was bombarded with raids on July 23rd damaging many small residential towns within the district and killing between two and nine civilians, according to sources on the ground.

Both Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Smart News reported that the Assad regime struck the area with jets and warplanes. Shaam News Network, however, blamed Russian warplanes for the raids.

The Smart News correspondent reported that “the military regime warplanes carried out two raids on the town Eastern Ghouta, targeting residential areas, killing civilians, and wounding others, including women and children.”

Many of the small towns within and around Ghouta were also reportedly affected by the targeted airstrikes. A cheese factory was said to have been targeted which led to the outbreak of huge fired, and according to Syria Reporter Net, killed several civilians.

In the small town Hammuriyyeh, two raids reportedly killed a woman and a child. The residential neighbourhoods Douma, Al-rehaneya, Sakba, Alrehan and Al-shifonyyah were also hit with four strikes and even came under close range artillery fire, according to Syrian Reporter Net.

The same new source reported the death of nine civilians with a number more wounded after six airstrikes in Ghouta.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights filed similar reports which claimed there were six raids on Eastern Ghouta and its smaller towns. SOHR also reported that a woman and a child were killed in Hammuriyyeh. It added that after midnight there were a further eight raids were carried out in the same area.

Shaam News Network summarised that “Russian warplanes carried out raids on Douma, al Shifoniya, al Rihan, Hosh Nasri, Hamouriya and Misrayia which coincided with very violent artillery shelling leaving martyrs and wounded among civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 9
  • 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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

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
    2 – 9
  • 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

Incident Code

RS1033

Incident date

July 23, 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

Cluster bombs dropped by alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes bombarded and destroyed residential housing killing 12 civilians and wounding up to 40 more in Jisr al-Shughur, local media reported.

Baladi News and Jisrtv blamed Russian warplanes for the airstrikes. LCCSY, however, blamed the Assad regime for the raids. Zaman al-Wasl News reported sighting both Assad regime and Russian warplanes.

Shaam News Network confirmed the event occurred at dawn, with two raids which included rockets loaded cluster bombs. It reported that “Russian warplanes targeted al Sawma’a Square with cluster bomb the city centre, causing the fall of seven martyrs of the primary outcome and more than 30 injured.”

According to Jisrtv, “Russian warplanes targeted Al-Soama’a square in Jisr Al-Shoughour with cluster bombs which killed seven in the initial death toll and wounded tens.”

At the time this was reported Jisrtv claimed the Civil Defence team were still rescuing bodies from the rubble. A correspondent from Al Jazeera said that “The raids caused a huge destruction in the buildings which made the rescuing much harder.”

Syrian Human Rights Network put the number killed slightly higher at 12. It also confirmed that 10 of those people were women and children.

Other reports claimed that 40 were injured and many of them were critical therefore the death toll was likely to rise. Syrian Press Center confirmed that 12 civilians had been killed, naming ten which is seen below. The same media also reported that only 30 people had been injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Hana’a Omar Al-Sheik
Age unknown female killed
Saleha Al-Sheik
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Nawar Farran
Age unknown male killed
Layla Mohammed Mobayed
Age unknown female killed
Nidal Fido
Age unknown male killed
Othman
Age unknown male killed
Sham Ahmad Kaser Ghalyoun
Age unknown male killed
Hana’a Haj Hassan
Age unknown female killed
Fatima Shehada
Age unknown female killed
Kaltoum Amer
Age unknown female killed
A child from the Bakora family.
Child killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (1 child7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Hospital scenes depicting injured civilians following the contested airstrikes in Jisr Al-Shoghour (via Jisr Al-Shoghour Media Center)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of injured children following the strikes in Jisr Al-Shoghour (via Baladi News)

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 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
    12
  • (1 child7 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–40
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1034

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

التبني, Al Tabbani, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.605833, 39.818611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian or Assad regime warplanes carried out airstrikes which struck and destroyed two family homes in Al Tabbani, killing ten civilians including five children, according to sources on the ground.  The local news source, Deirezzor 24, said that the raids occurred at 10am.

Syrian PC and Baladi News both blamed Russian warplanes for the raid. SMO News and Al Jazeera however, blamed the Assad regime for the shelling against Dier Ezzor.

Multiple sources confirmed that 10 people were killed, including six people from the Al-Jijan family and four from the Yasin Al-Jouma’a family. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights argued that the civilian casualties were mostly women and children.

Shaam News Network and other local sources reported that the seriousness of those who were injured could increase the death toll.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Yassin Al Jumaa
Age unknown male killed
Mohammed Al-Ahmad al Juma
Age unknown male killed

Family members (5)

Hashim Ali al-Jijan
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Ali al-Jijan
Age unknown male killed
Nazir Ali al-Jijan
Age unknown male killed
Rahik Ali al-Jajan
Age unknown killed
Wala’a Ali al-Jajan
Age unknown female killed

The victims were named as:

Noujoud al Karaya
Age unknown female killed
Muhannad al Sakha
Age unknown male killed
Aisha Turki al-A’ffara
Age unknown female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A child who was killed in Al Tabbani by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. (via Omar_madaniah tweet).
  • Children who was killed in Al Tabbani by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. (via Omar_madaniah tweet).
  • A child who was killed in Al Tabbani by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. (via Omar_madaniah tweet).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the contested airstrikes in al-Tabbni (via Deirezzor24)
  • Photo of the children killed in the village following the contested airstrikes in al-Tabbani (via Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silenty)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

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
    10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1035

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eleven or twelve civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Fardous neighbourhood, according to local media.

Smart News reported that Russian warplanes carried out two raids on the town. The Syrian Network for Human Rights, however, blamed “the regime and its allies for the warplane shelling”.

The shelling reportedly caused mass destruction to the residential housing and many people were trapped under the rubble. According to a local news reporter, two families were rescued from under the rubble.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights put the death toll at four, including a woman and a child.

Orient News placed the number killed slightly lower at two. A local resident tweeted a photograph of Mohammad Rashid Nasr, who was killed in the airstrike.

LCCSY said  that as many as 12 civilians chad died. In Aleppo altogether they reported the deaths of 59 civilians, with six hospitals made out of service.

Halab Today said that six unidentified bodies were also found.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Rashid Nasr
Adult male Photographer killed
Jamil Mustapha
10 years old male killed
Ahmad Bilal
6 years old male killed
Ibtissam Kana’an
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Bassout
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–35
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

  • Destruction to the residential neighbourhood of Al Ferdous following two airstrikes by Russian and Assad regime warplanes. 23rd July 2016. (via HNN).
  • A member of the Civil Defence rescues a wounded child from under the rubble in Al Ferdous. 23rd July 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Syrian Civil Defence)
  • Footage of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Baladi-News Network)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Halab News Network)
  • Footage of the chaotic aftermath and civilians being rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via AMC)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Syrianpc)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • Injured civilian following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Smart News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Rashid Naser, reportedly victim of the contested warplanes shelling in Al-Ferdous, Aleppo (via Maraei_halabi tweet)
  • Child is being rescued from under the rubble following the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via SN4HR)
  • Aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous (via Step News Agency)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Destruction of al-Fardous following the contested airstrikes (via Halab News)
  • Injured civilians in the aftermath of the contested airstrikes in al-Fardous(via Baladi Network)

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 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
    11 – 12
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–35
  • 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

RS1036

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

ضهرة عواد, Dahrat Awwad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.201724, 37.188892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian warplanes and/or Assad regime helicopters were both reported to have dropped missiles on the neighbourhood of Dahrat Awwad, killing between 10 and 17 civilians and wounding at least 15 more.

According to Ara News, 13 civilians were killed and “10s were injured”. A local news source put the number of killed civilians as high as 17 including “15 injured due to Russian warplane shelling with a missile thrown in a parachute on Dahrat Awwad.”

LCCSY said that 10 people were killed in this airstrike and that in the area, six  hospitals were put out of service.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 17
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The destruction caused to residential buildings in Dahrat Awwad. 23rd July 2016. (via Shaam Network).

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 July 16th – 27th 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
    10 – 17
  • (1–2 children1–2 women)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1037

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

حي الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807701, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that up to nine civilians died an two were injured in an airstrike on Salheen, Aleppo.

Though it was unclear from reports whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame, with most reports, such as Halab News, Zam al-wasl and LCCSY, referring to both “Russian and regime” warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

  • Photos of the destruction due to the contested warplanes shelling in Aleppo. The source however does not specify whether if the photo is from Saleheen or Ferdos (via Halab Today)
  • Photos of the destruction due to the contested warplanes shelling in Aleppo. The source however does not specify whether if the photo is from Saleheen or Ferdos (via Halab Today)

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 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
    9
  • 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

RS1038

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.212011, 37.171227 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians died and others were injured in a casualty incident in Al Maysar, Aleppo, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

According to SMO, Smart and LCCSY Russia was responsible. Smart alleged cluster bombs used in the attack. 

However, Syriamubashar, A_Alhorane and JHisrtv blamed explosive barrel bombs dropped from a helicopter, while the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “regime missiles”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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 (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 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
    2
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1039

Incident date

July 23, 2016

Location

الهلّك, Halak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Local media reported that Russia shelled Hayak with cluster bombs, however, only once source (LCCSY) alleged that there had been a civilian casualty. It said that one civilian had died.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ 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 July 16th – 27th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]