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

RS759

Incident date

April 22, 2016

Location

سرحة, Sarha, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3423987, 37.425412 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians including two women and two to three children died in airstrikes on Sarha and surrounding villages according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

According to Shaam News Network,”aircraft believed to be a Russian carried out raids on the villages of Sarha and Jib Abiyad which caused the fall of martyrs and wounded, including women and children“. Radio Al-Kul also blamed Russia, saying that a whole family died in Jeb Al-Abyad when Russian warplanes targeted their house. Alaraby said Russia was responsible for “a dozen strikes” that killed “nine civilians, including women and children, along with about thirteen wounded”.

However, other sources attributed the incident to the regime: Baladi News said nine people including three women and two children died in regime air strikes on civilian buildings in the eastern countryside of Hama. Syria Mubashar also blamed the regime, putting the death toll at eight including three women and three children, with 20 more people injured. It said: “sources (not official) mentioned air strikes from warplanes killed a mother and her daughter and another person from the shaman’s family in the village of Jeb Al-Abyad, a mother and daughter from Achammal family while amputated father ‘s leg in the village Jwe’ed, and also a mother and her five- years in the village of Shoaib Al_huso, and people in Abu khanadeq village in Hama east.”

Hama Agency also blamed Russia and put the death toll at 8. It listed a number of alleged killed and wounded civilians in four villages:

1. Jeb Al-AByad: a woman, her daughter and her cousin (from Shaman’s family)

2. Juway’ed: woman and her two daughters (from Achammal family)

3. Shoaib Al_huso: a woman and a child, and  eight members of the same family were injured

4. Abu Alkhanadeq: one civilian was killed

Hamahnow said four civilians died and seven were injured in airstrikes “which targeted Al-Surouj and Al-Jundeyeh and Jeb Al-Abyad, Qanbar, Hamadi Umar, Na’emeya and Qastal villages”. They did not say who carried them out. Likewise, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and SRG_Syria reported raids but did not identify the warplanes responsible.

In a tweet, Seafalgab555 spoke of “massive air strikes warplanes on Eastern Hama countryside in both Akirbat and Al-Sa’an which led to six martyrs and a large number of wounded.” It did not specify who was responsible for the strikes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Adult female killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–20
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Sarha, April 22nd (via Syria Mubashar)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (2–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–20
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2348

Incident date

July 17, 2017

Location

حقل الجفرة, Al Jafra [oil] field junction, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.300937, 40.206603 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians died in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Al Jafra [oil] field junction, according to sources on the ground.

Rozanafm said: “On Tuesday [July 17th], our correspondent in Deir al-Zour reported that a military aircraft believed to belong to the Syrian regime targeted a car carrying nine civilians on Al Jafra field road, killing all the passengers.”

According to Ahmad al Shibli, “nine people died  after their car was targeted with four Russian missiles at the junction of al Jafra field. Among the victims is Jassem Al-Sahan from the town of Jadid Akeidat”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • 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

RS2789

Incident date

December 8, 2017

Location

الزرزور, Al-Zarzoor village in the vicinity of Alkhwain village in the Idlib countryside, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.95475, 36.340756 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

As many as nine civilians were killed and three others were wounded in airstrikes on Al-Zarzoor, according to local media. All sources blamed Moscow except for Barada News who attributed blame to the Syrian regime. One source reported that Russia bombed the vicinity four times.

Initial reporting suggested that only five civilians had been killed – including two women and three children – however later sources put the death toll as high as nine.

The incident has been described by local media as a massacre, which “targeted civilian homes”. One source reported that eight of the victims were from one family.

Rocket-propelled grenades reportedly left many civilians trapped under the rubble; most of them were women and children. Wounded were “were transferred to the hospital Maarrat Noman for treatment”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Child female killed
Adult female killed
Child female killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (4 children2 women)
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment alleged Russian warplanes struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via Qasioun News Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via Dowlani)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of the airstrikes which struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via Shaam)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Members of the Civil Defence digging a child out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via Syrian civil defense center in idlib)
  • Child victim being dug out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes which struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via @SyrianCoalition)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim trapped under the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes which struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via @l014g)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victims of the airstrikes which struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via @apdalrhmah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim being dug out of the rubble in the aftermath of airstrikes which struck Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via @apdalrhmah)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Members of the Civil Defence digging a child out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via @7UFCmSxd0IUBffH)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Members of the Civil Defence digging a child out of the rubble in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al-Zarzoor, 8th December 2017. (via Step News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

The Russian Ministry of Defence announced being active in unspecified parts of Syria until December 11th, 2017.


Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 9
  • (4 children2 women)
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2974

Incident date

February 4, 2018

Location

كفرنبل, Kafr Nabil, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.6155094, 36.5471898 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alleged Russian airstrikes killed up to nine civilians, including at least one child and one woman, and wounded up to ten more in the city of Kafr Nabil, local sources reported.

The Syria Civil Defense, who were present on the scene following the incident, reported that the strike killed six and wounded more than ten. The death toll, generally, varied among the sources, spanning from three to nine, the highest reported by Edlib Media Center.

Both Smart News Agency and the Syrian Network for Human Rights (SN4HR) reported that one child and one woman were among the fatalities. The Twitter account Majed Abdulnoor, who also reported the death of one child, identified him by both name and photo. Majed Abdulnoor added that the child “and a number of his family members” were killed by the strikes.

SN4HR also identified one adult male victim by name and photo.

At least two and as many as ten civilians were additionally left wounded, according to local reports. Additionally, Smart News Agency reported a total of 43 of both killed and wounded but did not specify further.

SN4HR provided details about the structures targeted, as reportedly both the Industrial School north of Kafr Nabil and the Surgical Hospital in Kafr Nabil were struck.

All sources pointed to Russia as responsible. While the Smart News Agency, in its general reporting from the day, said how “the regime’s forces supported by Russian warplanes# were carrying out airstrikes, it later specified that it allegedly was Russian warplanes striking in Kafr Nabil.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Members of the civil defense trying to rescue civilians wounded by the alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Nabil, Idlib, February 4th, 2018 (via Syria Civil Defense)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The child Khaled al-Tamar and members of his family were reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Nabil, Idlib, February 4th, 2018 (via Majed Abdulnoor)
  • Many civilians were trapped under the rubble following the alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Nabil, Idlib, February 4th, 2018 (via Zaman al-Wasl)
  • The chaotic aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018 (via Wesal TV)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The chaotic aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018, where rescuing teams are trying to rescue civilians from under the rubble (via Smart News Agency)
  • The chaotic aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018, where rescuing teams are trying to rescue civilians from under the rubble (via Hadi Abdullah)
  • The chaotic aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018 (via Smart News Agency)
  • The aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018, where the rescuing team is looking for civilians under the rubble (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018 (via Edlib Media Center)
  • The aftermath in Kafr Nabil following the alleged Russian airstrike on February 4th, 2018, where the rescuing team is looking for civilians under the rubble (via Edlib Media Center)
  • Mohammad Qosay al Ar’our was reportedly killed by the alleged Russian airstrike in Kafr Nabil, Idlib, February 4th, 2018 (via SN4HR)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • 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
    Russian Military

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3038

Incident date

February 19, 2018

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

As many as nine civilians, including two children and one woman, were killed and at least one civilian was wounded as the Syrian regime and/or Russia carried out air and artillery shelling of Douma, eastern Ghouta, Damascus, local media reported.

As several sources reported, large parts of eastern Ghouta, including Douma, were subject to heavy shelling around February 19th, 2018.

Arab48, blaming the Syrian regime, described the situation as “a new escalation of the regime’s forces”. In Douma, Safeildeyn tweeted that the city had been subject to “eight attacks by the city since morning”.

The death toll spanned from three to as many as nine – the latter reported by Orient News’ correspondent. Several reports, including Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported three fatalities; two children and one woman. A photo of one of the child victims, a small baby, was published by some sources.

According to al-Jazeera, at least one civilian was left wounded.

However, sources were not clear in terms of apportion of blame. Most reports blamed the Syrian regime, pointing to aerial shelling from its warplanes and helicopters, while Hasan Mustafa also blamed the regime for launching surface-to-surface missiles.

Meanwhile, Marshad al-Hassaka blamed Russia in general terms for carrying out heavy shelling of eastern Ghouta, however without mentioning Douma specifically.

Finally, several reports blamed both Russia and the Syrian regime, including Safeildeyn.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby child was among the fatalities of the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Safeildeyn)
  • The immediate aftermath of the contested shelling of Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Hasan Mustafa)
  • The moment an explosive barrel is being dropped from an unidentified helicopter flying over Douma, Damascus, February 19th, 2018 (via Douman)

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 February 1st - 28th 2018.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

RS1531

Incident date

November 5, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians were killed, including one woman with artillery and airstrikes which struck the town of Dara Izza. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights,  Abu Bakr Al Sedeeq Mosque was the main target. The airstrikes ultimately rendered the mosque inoperable due to serous damage to both the exterior and interior.

Some sources only reported that around five civilians were injured, however others including the Shaam News Network put the numbers much higher at up to twenty-four. Syrian PC claimed that some of the wounded were in a serious condition.

All sources but two blamed Russian forces for the airstrikes and artillery used. @ZakariaNassani and @ShahbaPress tweeted that the Assad Regime were to blame.

@SYR_REV_NEWS reported that surface to surface missiles were used, yet the majority of sources reported the use of grenade propelled rocket launchers and other missiles.

Syrianpc reported the use of cluster bombs. Local sources Darerezzamedia and Thiqa Media posted videos of the parachute missiles descending and exploding in the town, causing massive clouds of smoke over the town.

Daretezzamedia posted another video of the aftermath of the airstrikes, which caused many buildings to collapse and led to a scramble of people to search the rubble for casualties and rescue survivors.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mohammad Khaled al Khatib
Age unknown male civilian from Ratiyan named by HNN killed
Zeinab Mohammad al Khatib
Age unknown female civilian from Ratiyan named by HNN killed

The victims were named as:

Hamoud Kheiro
Age unknown male civilian from Darat Izza named by HNN killed
Hassan Mohammad Illo
Age unknown civilian from Darat Izza named by HNN killed
Mahmoud Khaled Kanjo
Age unknown male civilian from Darat Izza named by HNN killed
Ibrahim Mohammed Hassana
Age unknown male civilian from Darat Izza named by HNN killed
Dibla Bakro
Age unknown female civilian from Darat Izza named by HNN killed
Unidentified civilian
Age unknown killed
Unidentified civilian
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment parachute missiles were dropped on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via Daretezzamedia)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian regime airstrikes on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via Daretezzamedia)
  • The exact moment parachute missiles were dropped on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via Thiqa Agency)
  • Mahmoud Khairou Khairou, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @Daretezzamartyrs)
  • Hassan Mohammed Alo, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @Daretezzamartyrs)
  • Mahmoud Khaled Kanjo, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @Daretezzamartyrs)
  • Ibrahim Mohamed Hassaneh, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @Daretezzamartyrs)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • White Helmets assess damage in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @ZakariaNassani)
  • A wounded child is rescued in the aftermath of an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Darat Izza, 5th November 2016. (via @ZakariaNassani)

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 November 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
    9
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–24
  • 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 (23) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1778

Incident date

December 8, 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

Local sources reported that up to nine civilians were killed and a number were left wounded following air and artillery strikes on of al-Kalassa, Aleppo – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Assad regime were to blame.

Several sources, such as HalabTodayTV’s correspondent, reported that helicopters dropped bombs containing chlorine gas, suffocating “dozens”, including children and women, including two named twin boys. However, the sources did not specify whether these people were killed.

@ZAshshmmre tweeted that a total of 61 civilians were killed and another 120 were wounded during attacks in Aleppo on December 8th 2016, saying that most of these were from the shelling in al-Kalassa.

Moreover, one source, @HalabTodayTV, suggested that the attack also included ground-launched explosives, reporting that al-Kalassa was exposed to “heavy artillery shelling and rocket attacks”.

Some sources pointed to the Syrian regime while another pointed to Russia as the responsible. The majority of sources did not identify the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child Twins
Child Twins

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 9
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The twin brothers Yousef and Yasin suffocated as a result of the helicopter bombing of Al-Kalassa, Aleppo on 8 December, 2016 (via @abo3ker)
  • Image associated with a tweet reporting of several incidents in Aleppo, including the one in Al-Kalassa, Aleppo on 8 December, 2016 (via @DrZaineddin)
  • Helicopters reportedly targeted the neighborhood of al-Kalassa, Aleppo, with chlorine gas on 8 December, 2016 (via @HalabTodayTV)

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

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 specific strikes between December 1st – 31st 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 9
  • 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
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS344

Incident date

January 6, 2016

Location

بزاعة, Baza'a, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.383201, 37.565723 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight or nine non-combatants including 3 women and 4 children were killed and seven others injured in alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrikes on a western neighbourhood in the town of Baza’a.

Citing an anonymous source, Syria News Desk noted: “Russian warplanes carried out three raids on the centre and outskirts of the city, killing nine civilians, including women and children, in addition to injuring more than ten others were wounded.”

While the Syrian Network also blamed Russia, others like Al Jisr only mentioned unspecified warplanes. Alaan TV reported that Russian strikes were accompanied by regime “shelling with heavy artillery and rocket launchers on the town, from sites 20 kilometres south of Baza’a.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news bulletin documenting the riads. (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 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 9
  • (4 children3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    7–10
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]