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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS1270

Incident date

September 16, 2016

Location

دير حافر‎, Dayr Hafir, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.151494, 37.707842 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians of whom between two or four were children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Dayr Hafer, Aleppo, local media reported. Halab News said that the four victims were from the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari.

According to LCCSY, “warplanes, believed to be Russian, launched several airstrikes on Abu Souseh village, which led to the death of four children and massive damage to buildings.” AlmaghribToday also put the death toll at four but said that two of these were children.

Al Araby al Jaded reported that “the media activist, Mohammed al-Halabi, told Al Araby al Jaded that Russian military aircraft ‘targeted the tents for the displaced people in the villages of Abu Soussa and al Imam north of Deir Hafer City, killing four children from one family and injuring others to varying degrees”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Member of the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari
Age unknown killed
Member of the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari
Age unknown killed
Member of the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari
Age unknown killed
Member of the family of Hussein al Allawi al Kiyari
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2–4 children)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2–4 children)
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1302

Incident date

September 22, 2016

Location

الميسر, Al Maysar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

An unspecified number of civilians were killed and wounded in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on Aleppo’s Al Maysar neighbourhood, according to local media.

Al Jazeera reported that seven civilians were killed in regime strikes “in the neighborhoods of Sukkari Mashhad Marjeh and Salhin.”

But LCCSY said that Russia also carried out strikes resulting in an unspecified number of dead and wounded.

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 (6) [ collapse]

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
    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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1334

Incident date

September 24, 2016

Location

الكلاسة, Kallasa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between four and nine civilians including one child died in airstrikes on the Kallassa and Maysar neighbourhoods of Aleppo, according to sources on the ground – though it was unclear whether Russia or the Syrian regime was responsible.

LCCSY reported that “Russia’s and Assad’s warplanes conducted airstrikes on the eSufun al Samanastern neighborhoods of Aleppo” – including in the Kallassa and Maysar neighbourhoods.

According to @syria_pluse , “a squadron of four Russian aircraft bombarded the neighbourhoods of Myasar, Hanano, Salhen and Kallaseh”.

Most sources said that three civilians had died. For example, Shahba Press reported that there were three dead and about six wounded in the Myasar district”.

RFS_North claimed that Myasar was hit by barrel bombs which would imply that the strikes there were conducted by the Syrian regime.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sufun al Saman
Age unknown killed
Abd al Razzaq Haj Ibrahim
Child killed
Suleiman Mohammed Shaaban
Age unknown killed
Bashar Shakir
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 9
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

  • A building in Kallasa destroyed in alleged Russian shelling on September 24th (via RFS_NORTH) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A digger shifts rubble in Kallasa following in alleged Russian shelling on September 24th (via RFS_NORTH) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • Destruction in Kallasa, the impact of alleged Russian shelling on September 24th (via @RFS_NORTH) [Page no longer available - accessed via Airwars archive]
  • A civilian receives medicial treatment for injuries sustained in alleged Russian shelling in Kallassa on September 24th (via HMN News)
  • Victims of an alleged Russian bombardment on Kallassa, September 24th (via HMN News)
  • Wounded civilians receive aid following alleged Russian shelling in Kallassa on September 24th (via HMN News)
  • A civilian is tended to by a medic for injuries sustained in alleged Russian shelling in Kallassa, September 24th (via HMN News)
  • Dust and destruction on the Maysar neighbourhood of Aleppo following alleged Russian shelling, September 24th (via @HalabTodayTV)

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
    4 – 9
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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

RS1366

Incident date

September 29, 2016

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.617076, 36.783132 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six civilians were reportedly killed and up to 20 more wounded in alleged Russian or regime airstrikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib.

Step News, News from Damascus and Syria News Desk attributed the event to the Assad regime. Meanwhile, Qasioun, Smart News and Syriansnews claimed the strikes were conducted by Russia.

Halab News gave the lowest death count, reporting  “four dead and ten wounded, most of them women and children, following four air raids on the village of Jarjanaz near Idlib that targeted a children’s school and civilian homes a short while ago.”

Shahba Press, SNN and Qasioun reported five civilians dead, two of them women and three children.

But Syriansnews put the death toll higher, at six including three children and three women – with 20 more people injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the contested strikes on Jarjanaz near Idlib, 29th September 2016 (via Smart News Agency)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl was among the victims caused by the contested strikes targeting Jarjanaz, Idlib, 29th September 2016. (via HNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young girl was among the victims caused by the contested strikes targeting Jarjanaz, Idlib, 29th September 2016. (via HNN)

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1399

Incident date

October 4, 2016

Location

الهلّك, Hallak, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and four civilians died in an incident in Hallak, Aleppo, according to local media – though it was unclear whether they were killed by Russian or regime strikes or by a sniper. 

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, “at least 4 civilians including a woman were killed by suspected Russian warplanes shelling”.

Other sources however reported that only one civilian was killed, and that he was killed by Kurdish snipers – these sources were Nabd Syria, AleppoAMC and @Alikdour.

Ali-Kodur  accused the  “YPD and PKK of using snipers everyday”.

The twitter account @Syrianmubasher said that one civilian had been killed by an “SDF sniper”.

Egypt Today and LCCSY attributed the event to Russia while al-Jazeera and Syrian News pointed to the Assad regime as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Kurdish Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Unnamed civilian allegedly killed by a sniper. (via, Ali-Kodur)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Kurdish Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Kurdish Forces
  • Kurdish Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1 woman)
  • 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, Kurdish Forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1432

Incident date

October 11, 2016

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed and “many” more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Khan Al Assal near Aleppo.

Shahba wrote that “two were killed and many civilians wounded due to Russian warplanes shelling in Khan Al-Assal in the western countryside of Aleppo.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Halab News also reported two victims.

Aleppo 24 and Dorar TV said that cluster bombs were used in the attack.

Smart News and Baladi did not report any civilian harm but said that Russia had carried out airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Damage to civilian homes following alleged Russian shelling on Khan al Assal, Oct 11th (via DOrartv)

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia has not reported any strikes between October 1st – 19th 2016.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS1464

Incident date

October 16, 2016

Location

قطنا, al Qatana, Rif Dimashq, Syria

Geolocation

33.441037, 36.0841 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or two civilians died and several more were wounded in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qatana neighbourhood, according to local media. Most sources blamed Russia, though some reports said that the regime also carried out strikes in Aleppo during this period, meaning that its involvement can’t be definitively ruled out. Moreover, a number of sources didn’t identify the warplanes responsible for the casualties.

LCCSY, Syrian Press Center, @insrepTeam, @ALAMAWI, Jisrv and the Step News Agency blamed Russia, and put the death count at either one or two civilians.

According to Foucsaleppo on October 17th, “Russian and Syrian planes have stepped up raids in the eastern regions of Aleppo during the last two days to reach most of the besieged neighborhoods of Marjah, Al-Haidariyah, Al Qatana, Al-Qatraji, Al Maysar, Bab Al-Nairab, Sheikh Fares, Dhahra Awad and Karam Al Tarab. This resulted in more than 65 martyrs. Some of the wounded were left in a serious condition, meaning that the number of martyrs is likely to increase”.

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 (17) [ collapse]

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 October 1st – 19th 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1496

Incident date

October 22, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one member of the civil defence died and up to five more were wounded in an airstrike on Anadan, according to local media.

One source – LCCSY – reported that there had been “16 martyrs in Aleppo following Russian raids on the town of Anadan and in clashes with what is referred to as the people’s protection units in the northern countryside” – though it was not clear if all 16 were killed in air raids.

A number of other sources blamed the Syrian regime for the deaths of the members of the White Helmets.

According to Syrians News Desk, seven fighters died in addition to one member of the civil defense. It reported: “The Russian air force targeted points belonging to factions of the Free Army stationed on the front of the towns of al Nubul and Al Zahra, which are under regime control in the northern countryside, killing opposition fighters destroying the building in which they were holed up.

The source added that Russian warplanes came back to target the location, during the evacuation of the injured, which led to the death of one member of the civil defence and injury of four others, along with damage to their vehicles.”

Another report by Syrian News Desk put the number wounded at five.

Syrian Civil Defense put the number of civil defense “volunteers” killed at two, reporting that they died “when the rescue team was targeted while it was aiding civilians following shelling on Anadan”.

However, several other sources, including the Syrian Network for Human Rights, @FREE_TV_SYRIA and @shahbapress blamed the regime, reporting strikes by warplanes and/or helicopters.

Syrian Mirror added that “a young man was killed in the city of Anadan after being targeted by artillery shells.”

Images published by Thiqa News Agency show the remnants of land to land missiles.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Osama Hawa
Adult male a member of the White Helmets killed
Mohammed Walid Bkhsou
Age unknown male named as injured by Paldf News injured
Ahmad Gargash
Age unknown male named as injured by Paldf News injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 16
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

  • 'Mohammad Osama Hawa, a Civil Defense member from Anadan city in Aleppo governorate, died due to government missiles launchers’ missiles fired on Anadan city, October 22, 2016' (via SN4HR)
  • The remains of land to land missiles found in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Anadan, Oct 22nd(via Thiqa)
  • The remains of land to land missiles found in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Anadan, Oct 22nd (via Thiqa)
  • The remains of land to land missiles found in the aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Anadan, Oct 22nd (via Thiqa)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

On 20th October 2016, the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation reported on the decisions made aimed towards stabilising the situation in Aleppo.

""Today, strikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces and the Syrian Air Force are finished at 10:00 (MSK) in the area of Aleppo. Early termination of the airstrikes is essential for holding a “humanitarian pause” on October 20, 2016”, said General of the Army Sergei Shoigu. According to him, it will allow to guarantee security of civilians leaving the city through 6 humanitarian corridors and to prepare casualty and medical evacuation from the eastern part of Aleppo.
“We apply to the leadership of countries influencing on armed formations active in the eastern part of Aleppo with a proposal to convince their leaders to stop warfare and leave the city,” stated the Minister of Defence.
According to General of the Army Sergei Shoigu, by the start of the “humanitarian pause” the Syrian troops will have been withdrawn to the distance safe for insurgents to leave the city with weapons through two special corridors: one – along the Kastello road, second – in the area of Suk al-Hai market."

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 16
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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]