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

RS842

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الشيخ خضر, Sheikh Khudar (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2219801, 37.1749448 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Sheikh Khudar, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was repsonsible or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing one civilian in the Sheikh Khudar neighborhood.

SRG_Syria blamed Russia, putting the death toll at two with one other civilian wounded.

Alaraby reported:“According to local sources in Aleppo, a helicopter belonging to the Syrian regime threw two explosive barrel devices before noon on a street in the Sheikh Khader neighborhood, east of the city, resulting in material damage, and the occurrence of injuries among the civilian residents of the neighborhood.

Zaman-Alwsl also said barrel bombs had been dropped, but didn’t identify the culprit.

According to Asmasy_1, “Warplanes and helicopters target Shikh Khudur, Qadi Askar, Bustan Al-Qasir in Aleppo by explosive barrels.”

Aawsat blamed Russian and regime warplanes and said that one civilian died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 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 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
    1 – 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

RS841

Incident date

June 3, 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

Four or five civilians died in an air or artillery on Marja, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing four civilians in the Marja neighbourhood.

According to Orient news, “Russian warplanes launched raids on Shikh Khudur, Ameriya, Hulluk, Salheen, Al-Marjeh and Masaken Hanano killing 22 civilians and injuring dozens more.”

However, Baladi reported the four died when regime helicopters dropped a barrel bomb.

Zaman also blamed explosive barrels from helicopters, but didn’t identify who dropped them. It put the death toll at five with others injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS840

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

حي ‫‏بعيدين‬, Bei'deen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2361737, 37.1832275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and five civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Bei’deen, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia was responsible or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network, reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing four civilians in the Bei’deen neighbourhood.

Other sources blamed Russian and regime warplanes:

Slnnews said that one civilian died, but Aawst put the death toll at five.

Many sources said that the regime was responsible. Step News reported that “regime artillery” was to blame, as did Smart.

According to Alresalahpress, “regime warplanes” carried out the attack.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and Shahed_alep said that helicopters had dropped explosive barrel bombs – though they didn’t identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • "The destruction caused by regime warplanes shelling on Bei’deen, Aleppo" ( Tweet by @Alresalapress)

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
    1 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

RS839

Incident date

June 3, 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

Up to seven civilians died in an air or artillery strike on Salheen, according to local reports – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing seven civilians in the Salheen neighborhood.

According to Syrian pc, “regime helicopters threw two explosive barrels on AL-Salheen which caused death of one civilian and injured two more.”

Rozana -fm reported that “Russian and Syrian warplanes launched many raids on various neighbours today including Alsalheen, Al-castello, Bei’deen Bustan Al-Qasir, Al-Ansari, Bab Al-neyrab, Tariq Al-Bab, Masakin Hananon which caused the death of 32 civilians and wounded tens more.”

Aawsat blamed Russian and regime warplanes for killing seven non-combatants.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 7
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • A civilian girl pulled from the rubble by The White Helmets following alleged Russian warplane strikes on Salheen, Aleppo (Youtube by AMC)
  • Civilian girl is pulled from rubble by White Helmets in Salheen. Twitter account susupened, screengrab accessed via Airwars archive.

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
    1 – 7
  • 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

RS838

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.237367, 37.171512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians died in an incident in Huluk, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing two civilians in the Huluk neighborhood.

Baladi also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at two with four injured.

Alsouria reported eight civilians killed.

However, other sources blamed the regime.

Sky News was among other news outlets who said the regime had shelled “Al-Hulluk, Al-Sakhour, Shikh Khoudur and Hanano”, killing 14 non-combatants.

Smart News did not report any deaths, but said that an unspecified number of civilians were killed by “regime artillery”.

According to a tweet by LCCSY, “regime helicopters threw explosive barrels on Al-Hulluk neighbourhood in Aleppo.”

In a video, a White Helmets worker said that “an explosive barrel was thrown and caused the death of over 15 civilians and wounded tens of people.” They did not say who was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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]

  • "Al-Hulluk massacre which caused by two explosive barrels and killed more than 10 civilians" (Youtube via AMC)

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 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–10
  • 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

RS836

Incident date

June 3, 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

Between six and eight civilians died and 12 more were injured in an air or artillery strikes on the Al Kalassa neighbourhood in Aleppo, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Syrian regime.

The Shaam News Network reported Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said that this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, killing eight civilians in the Al Kalassa neighborhood. It is therefore currently unclear whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

Slnnews said that seven non-combatants died in a Russian strike.

Rozana fm reported on Syrian and Russian raids, adding that six civilians died and 12 others were wounded in Al Kalassa – though it did not identify which actor was responsible.

But Syria News Desk blamed the regime – also putting the death toll at six with 12 injured – and reporting that a five-storey building was destroyed, trapping injured people under the rubble.

Zaman Alwasel also attributed the event to regime warplanes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 8
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on the Al Kalassa neighbourhood of Aleppo, June 3rd (via Alriyadh)
  • Civilians and destroyed buildings on Al Castello Road. (via Alriyadh news)
  • Two boys support a third injured boy on Al Castello Road following alleged Regime attacks (via Alriyadh)

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
    6 – 8
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS837

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and seven civilians died and many more were injured in an incident in the Ansari neighborhood of Aleppo. Some sources blamed Russia while others said that Syrian regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs on the area.

Among sources which attributed he incident to Russia were Baladi, Syrian Press Center, Shahba Press and Shahba Revolution. Death counts varied between five and seven civilians.

According to Syrian Press Center, five members of one family died.

The Shaam News Network reported on alleged Russian raids with warplanes and helicopters across Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. It said this coincided with “violent artillery shelling“, and killed seven civilians in the Ansari neighborhood.

However, other sources explicitly blamed the regime, putting the number killed between three and seven.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least four civilians died when regime helicopters dropped barrel bombs.

LCCSY also said the regime was responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • "at least 4 were killed in regime helicopters explosive barrels on Al-Ansari neighbourhood in Aleppo on 3rd of June" (Tweet by @SN4HR)
  • "corpse from under the rubble all day in Aleppo due to Assad’s shelling which does not stop" (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in Russian warplane shelling on Al-ANsari in Aleppo and a massacre in Al-Hulluk" (Tweet by shbabRevolution)
  • "White helmet: a whole building was knocked in Al-Ansari which resulted in 5 martyrs and many wounded and we’re still searching for people under rubble" (Youtube via AMC)
  • "7 martyrs and many wounded in helicopters bombardment with explosive barrels on Al-ANsari in ALeppo" (Tweet by @thiqanewsagency)

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 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS835

Incident date

June 3, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.859101, 36.797731 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians died in an airstrike on Saraqib, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

LCCSY put the death toll at two, blaming Russian vacuum missiles.

Activists told the Shaam News Network that two warplanes hit Saraqib with six strikes using cluster bombs killing one civilian and injuring dozens more – though the source did not identify the warplanes responsible.

According to Smart, Russia carried out three raids with cluster bombs and rockets, striking a hospital and a school.

Syriannews desk said that Russia carried out six raids.

However, Alfkr4 and Arabi21 blamed the regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • "Raids on Saraqib with cluster bombs kills a civilian and wounded many others" (Youtube via Amjad bakir)
  • Documentation of cluster bombs, allegedly used by Regime warplanes on Saraqib (via Arabi21)

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–12
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]