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

RS413

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five to 13 civilians including six children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Manbij, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that at least three non-combatants were killed, including two children, when suspected Russian warplanes shelled Manbij on January 16th.

But the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights – also blaming Russian forces – put the confirmed death toll higher at five (“at least four of them are children“). They also said that there was information about the death of another child, but did not provide any more details.

According to @MenbijCoordinat, six civilians died and an unspecified number were wounded in a bombardment by warplanes, though they did not identify the planes.

According to a brief post by the Shaam News Network, 13 died in raids by Russian warplanes.

Radio Al Kul also blamed Russia, putting the death toll at 13 in 27 raids.

Al Jisr also put the death toll at 13 and said Russia was responsible.

Alaan TV blamed “Russian aggression” and said that 13 victims included five children.

Step News Agency said that there had been more than 25 raids by the regime and Russia, killing 13 in Manbij.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

male killed
Adult female killed

Family members (3)

Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Child female listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed
Child male listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed
Adult female listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male listed as killed in Raqqa because they came from there, but for three of them it says they died in Manbij, while one of them say Aleppo but does not specify where killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • "Thirteen people were killed and tens injured in Manbij east of Aleppo after airstrikes by the (alleged) Russian, strikes also targeted Tal Rifaat and Ihress in the northern countryside." (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 13
  • (6 children1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS403

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed and 25 others injured when cluster bombs were allegedly fired on Douma, according to the White Helmets and the Shaam News Network.

The White Helmets did not say who was responsible for the attack, but reported that “the number of martyrs today in Douma has risen to 4 following the bombing with cluster bombs and heavy artillery.

But the Shaam News Network blamed Russia, saying that one person was killed and 25 other injured 25 injured in a missile attack with cluster bombs.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male also known as Abo Hatem,  as a victim of “cluster missile shelling” in Douma. killed
Haj Yassin Darwish Almasha’ot (Abu Hassan)
Adult Syria 2011 listed the following victims killed by cluster bombs killed
Rashid Daoud
Adult male Syria 2011 listed the following victims killed by cluster bombs killed
Yousef Abdel Basset al-Younis
Adult male Syria 2011 listed the following victims killed by cluster bombs killed
Hanan Taleb
Age unknown female named by Syria 2011, killed when a surface to surface missile hit her home. killed
Yamen Hamza
Child Syria 2011 listed the following victims killed by cluster bombs killed
Ahmed Mohammed Henen
Adult male Syria 2011 listed the following victims killed by cluster bombs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdul Aziz al-Rayes, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Haj Yassin Darwish Almasha’ot (Abu Hassan), killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rashid Daoud, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Yousef Abdel Basset al-Younis, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmed Mohammed Henen, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The White Helmets loading injured civilians into the ambulance not long after the alleged raid hit. (via, The White Helmets)
  • Civilian attempts to put out a fire in a market following an alleged Russian raid. (via, SNN)
  • From cluster bombs which were allegedly used in Douma on 16th January 2016. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of the raid in Douma. (via, SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rashid Daoud, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Martyr Yasser Tabakh, a non civilian combatant. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohamed Maher Abu Arbash, killed in Douma by alleged Russian raids. (via, YASER ALDOUMANI2)
  • An image of a shell which was dropped on Douma on 16th January 2016. (via, Mahrous Mazen)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    25
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS404

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

عين ترما, A'ayn Turma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5148497, 36.3494682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes and/or shelling by the Assad regime, according to local sources. However, reports need further verification as half of them speak of Russian followed by regime shelling while the other half only mention regime shelling.

Orient News published a video showing the aftermath of a alleged Russian strike on “a popular market in Ein Tarma Rural Damascus“.

In a video by Aljisr Satellite Channel the reporter states that the area was targeted by Russian warplanes and then later subjected to artillery shelling.

SMO reported: four civilians were martyred and others were injured following the air strikes of the occupation warplanes Ein Tarma City“.

The Shaam News Network blamed shelling by the regime for killing three civilians.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin reporting on the contested airstrike between Russia and the Syrian Regime which targeted a popular civilian market. (via, Al Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

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
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS405

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

ام شقيف, Um Shkeef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.394676, 37.650672 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrikes on the the village of Um Shkeef, according to two local sources.

Alaan TV reported that dozens died and were wounded by alleged Russian strikes in east Aleppo, including three civilians in Um Shkeef, located on the road from Al Bab to Manbij.

Halab News also put the death toll at three following a “heavy aerial bombardment by warplanes“, though they did not say who the planes belonged to.

According to Step, two civilians died, though it was unclear from their report whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS406

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

قصر البريج, Qasr al Burayj, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.31798, 37.70512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alaan TV reported Russian raids on Qasr el Bureji, but did not provide information on casualties.

According to Halab News, eight civilians died in a bombardment by warplanes, though they did not identify the planes.

Step also put the death toll at eight, though it was unclear from their report whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

According to Zaiton magazine, Russia carried out the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS407

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alaan TV reported that dozens of Russian airstrikes effected villages in Aleppo, including Tadeef.

Halab News said that two non-combatants were killed in Tadeef as part of a “heavy aerial bombardment by warplanes”, but did not identify the planes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS408

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

تل مكسور, Tall Maksour, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.23928, 37.45711 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alaan TV said that five civilians died and seven others were injured – some critically – in an alleged Russian strike.

Halab TV put the death toll higher – at 15 – but did not say whose warplanes were responsible for the incident.

According to LCCSY, 15 civilians died in strikes on Tal Maksour and Berlheen, but they did not say who was to blame.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

In its report for military actions on January 19 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of the last four days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 157 combat sorties engaging 579 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure in the provinces of Aleppo, Raqqah, Latakia, Homs, Hama and Deir ez-Zor.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1846

Incident date

January 17, 2016

Location

تدمر , Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.569294, 38.291216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Palmyra Media Centre, reported; “Russian planes bombed the outskirts of Palmyra in the al Dawa and Sha’er and Huweissass areas. Planes also bombed an area of a Bedouins’ gathering near Palmyra which led to the deaths of two people.”

No further details are currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]