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

RS869

Incident date

June 7, 2016

Location

ﺣﻠﺐ, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.197971, 37.1656697 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians died in alleged Russian strikes on various locations across Aleppo during the second day of Ramadan, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes and regime helicopters “launched air raids using phosphorous and cluster bombs and explosive barrels on the cities of Huraytan and anadan and towns of Hayan and Kafr Hamrah and Maarat al Artiq, al Leiramon, al Mallah, Al Qabr al Inglisi and Assiya which led to the fall of the martyrs and the number of wounded among civilians“.

A subsequent SNN report said that Russia was to blame, while a video reported the use of “phosophrous and cluster and vacuum bombs” in Anadan on the second day of Ramadan.

Alalam published the same video and said that Russia was responsible.

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Russian warplanes use napalm in Anadan" (Youtube by Madinet Haritan)

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 June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS868

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

ذيبان‬, Ziban, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.0108763, 40.5045318 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On June 8th, a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, reported that a civilian died from wounds sustained in an alleged Russian strike a few days previously.

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al Taha 
Age unknown killed

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 (2) [ 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 June 1st – 31st 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS867

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.255362, 37.087714 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Kafr Hamra at four civilians.

The White Helmets said there had been two raids at noon, killing four civilians, and also setting fire to shops, but they did not say who the “warplanes” belonged to.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed “suspected Russian warplanes” and put the death toll at three.

According to Syriapost1, Russian warplanes used “internationally-prohibited phosphorous bombs”.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that the regime was responsible for raids on Aleppo neighborhoods (including Kafr Hamra) which had killed 17 civilians.

A number of other sources, including SHRC didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdo Yasin Majri
26 years old killed
Mahmood Yousef Da’bul
19 years old male killed
Mahmood Yousef Da’bul
19 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • "a horrifying massacre where 4 were martyred and 10 wounded in the barbaric Russian aggression shelling. Aleppo. God avenge" (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • Aftermath of alleged phosphorous attack on Kafr Hamra (via SHRC)
  • Report on presence of helicopters, warplanes and barrel bombs in the region. (Video by SNN Facebook)
  • Destruction in Kafra Hamra (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • A building destroyed in Kafra Hamra (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • White Helmet rescue team at site following strikes on Kafra Hamra (via Aleppo White Helmets)

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 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
    3 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (25) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS866

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

كفر حلب, Kafr Halab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.062057, 36.871512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians died in an airstrike on Kafr Halab, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Kafr Halab at five civilians.

In a video posted by SNN the reporter talks about helicopters and warplanes but also mentions barrel bombs.

Soreoooo pointed towards Russia, and said that they used cluster bombs in the strike.

According to Shahba Press, “the death toll rose following Russian warplane shelling in Kafr Halab, with five people from the same family killed.”

Al Buraq Media blamed both “Russian and Syrian warplanes”, while according to Eldorar, five civilians from one family died, though it didn’t identify who was responsible.

Similarly, a number of other reports didn’t name the culprit.

However, Free Aleppo Police blamed the regime, reporting in a video that  warplanes targeted a police station.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Regime forces target the police station in Kafar Halab" (Youtube by Free Aleppo Police)
  • A report on the presence of warplanes, helicopters and barrel bombs in the region. (Video by SNN Facebook)

Geolocation notes (1) [ 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 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
  • 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 (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS865

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

دوار جسر الحج, Jisr al Haj roundabout (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1839796, 37.1475876 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Jisr al Haj at three civilians – though it did not say whether the Syrian regime or Russia were responsible.

Smart and Shahba Press also attributed the incident to Russia.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also put the death toll at three but did not apportion blame.

But other sources including Eldorar and Alaraby blamed the regime.

SMO Syria blamed both Russian and regime raids, while other sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets find bodies underneath the rubble at Jisr Al Haj, Aleppo (Youtube by Buraq Media)
  • Alleged warplane shelling on Jisir Al Haj (Tweet by @HalabTodayTV)
  • A report on presence of warplanes, helicopters and barrel bombs in the region. (Facebook video by SNN)

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 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
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS864

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

حي ‏المرجة‬, Marjah (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1855676, 37.1802235 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four civilians died in an airstrike on the Marja neighborhood of Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the regime.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “suspected Russian warplanes” killed four civilians when they fired missiles on the neighborhood.

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo “in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing“. It put the death toll in Marja at four civilians – though they did not say whether the regime or Russia were responsible.

The White Helmets published footage showing the aftermath of several raids on Aleppo – “the last of them in the al Marja neighboorhood” – which it said killed four civilians and injured many more, including women and children. It added that their team had managed to pull two bodies form the rubble, but did not say who carried out the attack.

However, Eldorar, Klmty and Tweets Palestine blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • "several raids target the city of Aleppo the last of them in al Marja neighbourhood where 4 people were killed and many injured including women and children. The civil defence team has managed to pull out two bodies from under the rubble" (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • Search for people under the rubble at Marja, Aleppo (Tweet by @shbabRevolution)
  • "4 civilians died in aerial shelling from regime warplanes on Al-Marjeh today" (Tweet by @TweetsPalestine)
  • A reporter speaks about the presence of helicopters and warplanes - he also mentions barrel bombs. (Video via SNN Facebook)

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 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
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS862

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five children died in airstrikes on Asl Sukhnah, according to two local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” struck civilians homes killing five individuals, most of them children in dawn raids.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Russian strikes killed five children, three of whom were siblings.

However, a second SO4HR report did not identify the warplanes responsible, while the Step News Agency referred to “Russian and regime” strikes on Al Sukhnah.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown

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
  • (5 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS863

Incident date

June 6, 2016

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1923129, 37.1477151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child died in an airstrike or artillery shelling at Al Kalassa, according to local sources – though it was unclear from reports whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported that 21 civilians died in Aleppo” in the first day of Ramadan in regime and Russian bombing”. It put the death toll in Al Kalassa at five civilians.

In a video posted by SNN the reporter talks about helicopters and warplanes but also mentions barrel bombs.

However, Eldorar blamed the regime, reporting the death of five non-combatants when residential buildings were struck.

Al Jazeera said that regime artillery killed five members of one family, including a child.

It was unclear from reports by Alamawi and SMO Syria who was responsible, as they referred to both Russian and regime shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child)
  • 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]

  • A reporter mentions both helicopters and warplanes in Al Kalassa neighbourhood. An amublance arrives at the scene. (Youtube by SNN)
  • "53 people were killed in Aleppo [neighbourhoods] yesterday due to extensive shelling by Russian and regime" (Tweet by @ALAMAWI)

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 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
  • (1 child)
  • 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]