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

RS638

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

العرضي, Al A'ardi (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians died, including seven from the same family, in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al A’ardi neighbourhood according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported 12 deaths in two Russian raids, while Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes “targeted civilians’ homes directly“.

Both Al Jazeera and Alsory__Alhor also reported Russian strikes, but didn’t provide specific casualty numbers, while Euphrates Post noted there had been raids on Al A’ardi, but didn’t identify the “warplanes” responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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

RS639

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a bakery in the village of Al Hissan, according to a single source.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported: “The young man Bashar Mohammad al Khaled from the village of al Jneina was martyred after Russian planes targeted al Sultan bakery in the village of al Hissan two days ago.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Bashar Mohammad al Khaled
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS640

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilians including two children were killed in airstrikes on Talbiseh, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were responsible.

Shaam News Network said that three civilians died and several were injured – “most of them  children” – in Russian raids, while a video by Qasyun showed “a cemetery being destroyed as a result of Russia raids“. Orient News also reported “several” Russian strikes on the town.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the victims died in an attack by regime warplanes. Syrian Mirror also blamed the regime, reporting that artillery “bombed Talbeesa with mortars and short-range missiles“.

Wartime News also put the death toll at three but added that dozens more were wounded – and blamed Russia. According to Akull radio, four civilians died and 20 were injured in strikes – though it didn’t say who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Named by SHRC killed
Age unknown male Named by SHRC killed
Age unknown male Named by SHRC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2 children0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Talbissa, Feb 19th 2016. (via Akull radio)
  • A video showing a cemetery being destroyed as the result of an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Qasyun News Agency)
  • The aftermath of the raid. (via Syrian Mirror)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A deceased civilian in the aftermath of the contested Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, Talbisa)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Akull Radio)
  • The aftermath of the alleged raid. (via, Akull Radio)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

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 children0–3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–20
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS641

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One to two civilians including a child were killed in alleged Russian strikes with cluster bombs, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights and Violations Documentation Center named a three year old child as a victim. However, the White Helmets said that one man was killed and six other non-combatants injured when Russian warplanes targeted “the electricity union in the town of Kafr Naha with cluster bombs“. Cdf-sy.org and Syria Martrys said the child was originally from Kafr Aya in Homs.

Alsharqalarabi reported that Bakir Usama Al-Birini was killed in an alleged Russian strike. Babaamr Lens also named the victim and blamed Russia, as did Shabab Babaamero.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

3 years old male Listed by VDC and SN4HR killed
Age unknown named by Alsharqalarabi killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'The child Bakr Osama Al Bayrini, age 3, from Kafr Aya town in Homs governorate, died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles shelling on Kafr Naha town in Aleppo governorate, February 19.' (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    'The child Bakr Osama Al Bayrini, age 3, from Kafr Aya town in Homs governorate, died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles shelling on Kafr Naha town in Aleppo governorate, February 19.' (via Shabab Babaamero)
  • Munition supposedly used in the strikes. (via Syrian Martyrs)
  • Aftermath of the alleged strikes. (via White Helmets, deleted)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS637

Incident date

February 18, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, three civilians including two children died in “airstrikes thought to be Russian” in Palmyra, Homs.

Sinnnews reported that “four were wounded and a child had his leg amputated while a man was seriously injured in Russian attacks on Palmyra.”

The Violations Documentation Center named one victim (a child), killed in a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged strike. (via, Palmyra News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS632

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

تل نصري, Nasri, Hassakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.64086, 40.36756 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians including two children and possibly a woman were killed in an airstrike on Nasri, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Hassaka’s Youth Union reported that “two orphaned children, the grandchildren of the citizen Mohammad Al Khaled, were martyred and their mother was injured following an air raid on the village of al Nasri in abdul Aziz mountain.” But they did not say who was responsible.

However, the Shaam News Network and All4Syria blamed Russia, while the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said it was likely that Russian warplanes committed the attack.

Siraj al Hasskawi said that there was a second Russian bombing on Nasri, targeting civilian homes of “two orphaned children who were killed by the Russian bombardment and their mother injured, it should be noted here that these villages are inhabited by the al bouma’eesh clan from AlBakara al A’rabiya tribe.

But Al Arabi Aljadid said the regime was responsible and put the death toll higher at four including two children, all from one family.

Syrian Desk News also blamed the regime, citing the death of the two children and the wounding of two other non-combatants, again all from the same family.

A Hassakah activist, Siraj Al Hasskawi, reported that the injured mother, named as Mrs Fidda Al Maghir, later died from her wounds, though it was unclear from the post who carried out the attack, saying that she joined her children “who were killed by the bombing of Russian, American and Assad planes in the village of Al Nasri in Abdul Aziz mountain west of Al Hassaka.

According to Alhasakaalhadath, “Two orphans, descendants of Mohammed Al-Khaled died and their mother was hit by an air raid on the village of Nazareth, mount Abdulaziz.” The source did not say who was responsible.

But Albawaba News reported that it was likely a Russian strike occurring at 11am, when two missiles targeted a home where two children lived. The report said that the children died – grandchildren of Mohammed al Khaled – while their mother suffered “moderate injuries“.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male Listed by VDC killed
Child male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS633

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and ten civilians died in alleged multiple Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources.

Asharq Al-awsat reported that ten civilians were killed, though didn’t say who was responsible for the strikes. Dummar media office said Russian warplanes had carried out six raids but didn’t provide casualty numbers.

However, a tweet by Halab Today said there had been as many as 20 Russian strikes. According to the Syrian Observatory: “Warplanes thought to be Russian launched many raids on the Eastern side of the countryside of Aleppo including Al-Bab and Bza’a but no casualties were reported.”

Al-Arabiya noted that there had been Russian strikes in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, though they didn’t specify Al Bab, and added that no casualties had been reported. A 40-minute programme by Al Jissr Satellite TV, reported that four civilians were killed in Al Bab, allegedly in a Russian airstrike.

HNN and Syria Martrys named one victim as killed in a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Omar Juma Allowaki
Age unknown male Named by HNN and Syria Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (0–1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jisr TV reporting on the alleged strikes. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (0–1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS634

Incident date

February 17, 2016

Location

الشيخ علي, Sheikh Ali, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.09736, 36.91384 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including one child died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sheikh Ali, according to local sources.

Al-Arabiya blamed Russia, reporting an “unspecified number of dead including children“. Shahba Press also put the death toll at three, including a child – and also attributed the incident to Russia.

According to a 40-minute programme by Al Jissr Satellite TV, (video posted in incident above) three civilians were killed in the village of Sheikh Ali, allegedly by a Russian airstrike. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported thatthree civilians (including a child) died in warplane raid in Shikh Ali in western countryside of Aleppo.” They didn’t identify the warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jisr TV covering the alleged strikes. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]