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

RS1026

Incident date

July 21, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Russian and Assad regime warplanes continued to attack Idlib on July 21st, killing up to another six civilians, according to sources on the ground. The Smart News called the bombardment a massacre and also commented that the raids began in the night continuing on from the 20th of July.

Images published by the Shaam News Network showed destruction of Al Hijaz mosque, which SNN said had killed six civilians. Later reports by the source said  that there were more than 30 injured civilians as the result of over 14 raids by Russian warplanes.

However, Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime for the raids. It also placed the number killed slightly lower at four.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Destruction in Al Hijaz mosque, Idlib on 21st July 2016. (via SNN).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child killed by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes. Idlib City, 21st July 2016. (via SNN).
  • Destruction in Al Hijaz mosque, Idlib on 21st July 2016. (via SNN).
  • Destruction in Al Hijaz mosque, Idlib on 21st July 2016. (via SNN).

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
    4 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1495

Incident date

September 15, 2017

Location

السوا, Al Sa'awa, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.53226, 39.96322 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to six civilians died in airstrikes on an IDP camp in the village of Al Sa’wa in the western suburb of Deir Al Ghazur, according to local sources. The location is disputed, as Sharqiya24 and Deirezzor24 cited “the water crossing” as the location and not the camp.

Marsad Al Hasaka named victims. The source added a “number” were “wounded” in addition to the fatalities. The civilians were from Al Shmitiya.

Regime forces were alleged responsible by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who documented “several civilians” killed.

Baladi said the offensive was likely carried out by “Russian” planes, and reportedly the camp was targeted by “a number of rockets”, Baladai also mentioned the river crossing, suggesting that the crossing was hit in the same raid. Syriahr noted “material damage” and referred to unidentified “shelling” as the cause. Step News Agency also referred to “Russian fighters”.

The US-led Coalition was blamed for the attack by Masar news who documented six civilians killed.

In a report by Alaraby, three civilians were documented killed, and “dozens” wounded, in a village in the west of Deir Ezzor under control of the so-called Islamic State organization, the village was unnamed in the report.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Razzaq Al Ahmad Al Fayyad
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Samad Al Abdul Mohsin Al Ahmad
Age unknown male killed
Bara’a Abdullah Al-A’aka’ab
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a river crossing or IDP camp in or near the village of Al Sa’awa (السوا), the coordinates for this village are: 35.53226, 39.96322. The only known river crossing in the vicinity of this village can be found here: 35.519024, 39.925432. On satellite imagery (of February 2017) there are no visible IDP camps in this area, but people often set up their tents near the river, which might explain the confusion. Russian forces also bombed this river crossing around that time, as seen in this video: https://youtu.be/o3AwJ15NdW0?t=9s.

  • River crossing in the vicinity of the village of Sa'awa (السوا)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For September 14th-15th, the Coalition reported: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, two strikes engaged two ISIS tactical units and destroyed two vehicles.“ and "Additionally, 38 strikes consisting of 55 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 14 that closed within the last 24 hours. On Sept. 14, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria six strikes destroyed an ISIS UAS, a fighting position, an ISIS supply route and suppressed three fighting positions"

For September 15th - 16th, the Coalition reported: "Near Dayr Az Zawr, three strikes [1 British?] engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions" and "Additionally, 13 strikes consisting of 18 engagements were conducted in Syria and Iraq on Sept. 15 that closed within the last 48 hours. On Sept. 15, near Dayr Az Zawr, Syria, five strikes engaged three ISIS tactical units and destroyed two fighting positions and a command and control node"


UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 15 September – a Reaper supported coalition airstrikes near Dayr az Zawr, and delivered two attacks itself against extremists in the open, whilst Typhoons destroyed a Daesh-held building… On Friday 15 September, a Reaper was again very active north-east of Dayr az Zawr; it provided support to coalition airstrikes which destroyed three Daesh-held buildings, then conducted two attacks on its own account with Hellfire missiles against terrorists moving through the area. Nearby, a Typhoon flight bombed a further Daesh-held building.’

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1365

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and six civilians including up to three children were reportedly killed in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Khan Sheikhoun, Idlib.

LCCSY wrote that “three died and some were wounded among civilians as Russian warplanes bombarded Khan Sheikhoun city.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, on the other hand, accused the Assad regime of the attack: “At least four civilians including two children died when government warplanes fired missiles on Khan Sheikhoun city in Idlib governorate.”

Zamanalwasl reported the highest death count with six civilians, three of them children,  and claimed the attack was conducted by the regime.

Syria News Desk said that one child was killed.

A number of sources reported the used of both phosphorus and cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A photo showing the remains of cluster munitions, which reportedly was used in the contested strikes on the town of Khan Shaykhoun, 29 September (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 – 6
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–10
  • 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

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2867

Incident date

January 7–8, 2018

Location

كنصفرة, Kansafra, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.658233, 36.484942 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as six civilians were killed – including a family of four – and others were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on a poultry farm in Kansafra. Although most sources attributed the blame to Russian warplanes, some sources blamed “warplanes”. One even reported the use of an explosive barrel, indicating Syrian regime participation, making this a contested event.

According to local media, an internally displaced family of four was killed, including a father, son and a mother, who were sheltering at a poultry farm.

Although most sources reported that between two and four civilians were killed, Orient News reported that as many as 14 civilians were both killed and wounded in Russian airstrikes on the residential vicinity.

The incident occured during the night.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra, 7th Jan 2018. (via @syriacivildefe)
  • A civilian casualty in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra, 7th Jan 2018. (via @syriacivildefe)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian casualty in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra, 7th Jan 2018. (via @syriacivildefe)
  • A civilian casualty in the aftermath of alleged Russian airstrikes on Kansafra, 7th Jan 2018. (via @syriacivildefe)

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–14
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS768

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

حي باب النيرب, Bab al Nayrab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1918713, 37.1722841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported that up to six civilians were killed and eight were injured followed by airstrikes targeting Bab Nairab, Aleppo.

The Syrian News Network (SNN) reported that four civilians were killed while Thiqa News Agency said the strikes had killed six. None of the sources identified the names of the victims.

The SNN and Sadaaltwhed pointed to Russia as the culprit while the Syrian Network for Human Rights pointed to the Assad regime. The SNN later reported that the warplanes belonged to both the Assad regime and Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

  • Witness describing the violent event in Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Thiqa News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (Thiqan News Agency)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Objective Aleppo News)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via Sadaaltwhed Twitter)
  • Video showing the chaotic aftermath following the strikes in Bab al-Nairab, Aleppo (via the White Helmets)

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–8
  • 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

RS800

Incident date

May 17, 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

At least three civilians including one child died in airstrikes on Ar-Rastan according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

According to LCCSY, “several” Russian raids killed five civilians and wounded more. Syria7ra also blamed Russia on Twitter.

However, many other sources said the Syrian regime was responsible for the raids. Shaam News Network said the regime carried out two raids with vacuum missiles, leading to the death of three non-combatants, including one child, and the wounding of many others. Enab News reported that “seven warplane raids in Ar-Rastan killed 3 civilians and wounded 15.”

Three victims, killed by “warplanes” were named by the VDC.

Yaroub Aldaly tweeted a link to a YouTube video (GRAPHIC) by Homs AlRastan, saying “A sister searches from her brother before she recognizes him. Martyr Nidal Mousilli, died in warplane shelling in Ar-Rastan.” His name was also mentioned in a tweet by Abobyanalrastan.

Homs Alrastan posted three other (graphic) videos on YouTube, showing the dead and wounded after the strikes on Ar-Rastan.

A day after the raids, on the 18th, Eldorar news reported: “Today three civilans died from wounds they suffered in yesterday’s 17th, warplane shelling of Ar-Rastan.” This would put the death toll at six.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nidal Mosili
Adult male killed
Obaida Ali al-Mawla
Child male killed
MAhmoud Ahmad Fetrawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Casualties from the air strike.e

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Martyr Nidal Moselly

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Airstrikes on Al-Rastan

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured taken to hospital.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    a number of civilians killed due to the airstrikes

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Nidal Moselli

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 May 1st – 31st

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–15
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS897

Incident date

June 13, 2016

Location

إدلب, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.93062, 36.63393 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five or six civilians died and dozens more were injured in an airstrike on idlib, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime – or possibly both parties.

An initial report by The Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the “medical center in the vicinity of the Directorate of Education building in the city of Idlib”, killing five civilians and wounding 10 more.

However, in a video report by Shaam, a member of the White Helmets says that both Russian and regime planes hit the same location.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at five, and reporting that missiles were fired on a White Helmet’s ambulance, damaging it.

A further report by SN4HR said that “government warplanes missiles fired on Al Mashtal Park in Idlib city, causing fires, and damaging its facilities“.

Step put the death toll higher, at six non-combatans, but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

@ogygensy and Syrian Mirror attributed the incident to Russia, with Syrian Mirror reporting that a medical center was targeted.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "0’12” white helmet: says regime planes with their Russian allies hit the same place twice. There are five martyrs and one injured" (Youtube by SNN)

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 June 1st – 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 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–24
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

CS1329

Incident date

August 4, 2017

Location

حمرة بويتية, Hamra Buweitiya, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.9378146, 39.1255975 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources have reported that between three and six civilians were killed in an aerial bombardment on al Buweitaya in the western suburb of Deir Ezzor. At present sources have alleged that the US-led Coalition was responsible, however, some sources are attributing the attack to the regime, and some to Russia.

According to a Facebook post by Al Tabani another unidentified female was found, and Younis al-’Awad’s wife was also reported to have been seriously injured in the attack.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights have blamed ‘Syrian Regime planes’ for the attack, whilst in a news report by Smart the strikes are ‘thought to be Russian’.

Other sources referred to an “air bombardment” and to “warplanes” carrying out raids – but did not identify the culprit.

The incident was first reported on August 4, 2017 at 12:17 pm by EuphratesPost.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Younis al-’Awad
Adult male killed
Daughter of Younis al-’Awad
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al-Buweitiya (بلدة البويطية), western Deir Ezzor governorate, for which the coordinates are: 35.9378146, 39.1255975

  • The village of Al-Buweitiya (بلدة البويطية)

    Imagery:
    © 2018 Google

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • Stated location
    near Hamra Buweitiya, Syria
    Nearest population center

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • May 31, 2018

  • After a review of available information it was assessed that no Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area that correspond to the report of civilian casualties.

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition
Official source

For August 4th-5th: “Near Dayr Az Zawr, one strike destroyed four ISIS oil stills.”

UK Military
  • English
    /
    Original
Official source

‘Friday 4 August – Typhoons struck an ammunition factory and three sniper positions in Raqqa…An improvised ammunition factory had been identified in a large single-storey building in Raqqa, and this was struck with two Paveway IVs from Typhoons on Friday 4 August. The Typhoons then conducted two further strikes with Paveways against sniper positions, while a second Typhoon flight dealt with a third sniper team.’

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Media
from belligerent (1) [ collapse]

  • For August 3rd-9th, France report 1 strike in Iraq and 1 in Syria, along with 9 artillery strikes in Mosul. (via EtatMajorFR)

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 6
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Suspected attackers
    US-led Coalition, Russian Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]