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

RS611

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

النشابية, Al Nashabiya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.514157, 36.487656 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta” leading to the death of one civilian in Al Nashabiya.

Abu-Muaz Al Dumi also blamed Russia.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Named by Zaman Masdar and the Damascus Media Office killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage showing the supposed victims of the strike. (via, Douma revolution)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS612

Incident date

February 15, 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

Six civilians including four children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta“, leading to two deaths in Douma.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that artillery shelling by the regime killed at least four non-combatants including three children and one woman.

An additional victim, one-year-old Alya Al Akhras was named by Syrian Martyrs, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati and the White Helmets.

The White Helmets published a graphic video showing the aftermath of a strike and the casualties, though they didn’t say who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ena’am Nabaki
Age unknown female Named by Zaman Masdar, mother of Saeed Khabeya killed
Ayham Reyad Al-Najjar
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Radwan Ziad Al-Najjar
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Mohammed Mahmood Al-Masri
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Amer Al-Fustuki
Age unknown male Zaman Masdar killed
Alya Al Akhras
Child female Named by Syrian Martyrs, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati and the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman0–1 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Alya Al-Akhra, 1 year old, died due to airstrikes in Douma." (via, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a deceased civilian following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syrian Revolution Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman0–1 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS610

Incident date

February 14, 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

Three civilians were killed and several others wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, according to a single source.

Shaam News Network said that “Russian aggression targeted several placed in the city several raids and then artillery targeted markets and public roads.” It added that “the bombardment also targeted one of the Central Ambulance cars with a vacuum missile in eastern Ghouta while it was carrying out its duties rescuing the wounded. The driver was lightly injured.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS608

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Hamra, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

No additional details are presently known.

 

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
  • (1 child)
  • 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

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS609

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

الحراك, Herak, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.7511, 36.3053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including two children and one woman were killed and several others injured in airstrikes on Herak – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that five non-combatants – mostly children – died when Russian warplanes launched missiles on the town. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also put the death toll at five. According to both Al Jisr TV and Syria Sky, five people from the same family were killed in a Russian strike.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes killed five civilians from the same family including two children and a woman. And Al Jisr added that “a woman and others were wounded by artillery fire and explosive barrels from Regime forces“.

Five victims of Russian shelling were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

Daraa Martys named one further victim as Sayej Awdah Fayyad though didn’t say who the warplanes responsible belonged to. This may be the same victim as Sayeh Oudeh al-Rweidan, named as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Herak according to the Violations Documentation Center.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Adult female Listed by VDC killed
Child female Listed by VDC killed
Child female Listed by VDC killed
Adult male Listed by Daraa Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman3 men)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS606

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

حوش نصري, Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55803, 36.47058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several air raids. Activists told SNN that there was a “horrible massacre” which claimed the lives of five non-combatants in Hosh Nasri when civilians’ homes were hit with missiles.

The White Helmets also said that Russia was responsible and put the death toll at five with many more injured, adding that a huge fire broke out across homes and shops. They published disturbing videos depicting dead bodies and rescue attempts.

According to All4Syria, Russian jets conducted “several air strikes, killing five civilians, including a child, and injuring others. They added that the number of deaths was likely to increase due to severity of injuries. Al Jisr TV also attributed the incident to Russia, putting the death toll at five.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes were responsible.

Five victims were named by the White Helmets.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouriy’i Makiya
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Atef Alloush
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Hamid Al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Abboud al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Faisal Othman
Child male Named by White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescue operations carried out by the civil defence after warplanes targeted Hosh Nasri. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Watch the civil defence team from Al Rihan centre tending to the wounded and pulling out the martyrs after a massacre carried out by air weapons in Hosh Nasri in Eastern Ghouta. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    What looks like the remains of a burned body. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS607

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

القاطرجي, Al Qaterji, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.20003, 37.1858 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between six and 10 civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Qaterji, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian aircraft” continued to fly over the city of Aleppo and its surrounding countryside. Activists told SNN that Russian warplanes targeted several areas including the Al Qaterji neighborhood, where more than 10 people were killed and many more wounded – some of them still trapped under the rubble.

The White Helmets posted images showing the aftermath of a strike which they said led to the collapse of a five-storey building. They reported it had been carried out by a “warplane” using a vacuum missile, though did not say who the plane belonged to – addingthat a “little girl” had been rescued from under the rubble and that two families were still trapped.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights posted similar images, but like the White Helmets only referred to “warplanes”.

However, according to an initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, the Assad regime carried out the attacks. It put the death toll at five. But in a later report, SN4HR appeared to change position and attribute the incident to Russia: “alleged Russian warplanes shelled a residential building next to the Katerji roundabout  in Aleppo which killed 6 individuals [photo of children’s bodies]  including 4 children and a woman“.

The citizen journalist Bahaa Al-Halabi talked to the rescue team leader, who said that Russian warplanes dropped a vacuum bomb which destroyed a three storey building. He added that some of the people were saved but a family – a mother, father and their four children –  was still under the rubble, and that he hoped they would be rescued while they were still alive.

Syrian Press Center also blamed Russia and out the death toll at ten, with dozens more wounded. It said two residential buildings were destroyed and that within the last few days Russian warplanes had launched hundreds of raids on Aleppo.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Al Qaterji, Feb 14th (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Al Qaterji, Feb 14th (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of a strike in Al Qaterji, Feb 14th (via White Helmets)
  • Interviews with local civilians in the aftermath of the incidnet. (via, Halabi citizen journalist)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • Civilians rest in the aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • The aftermath of the incident. (via, SOHR)
  • The inside of a damaged civilian home. (via, SOHR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    To deceased babies following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS604

Incident date

February 13, 2016

Location

ضاحية الكهرباء, Dahiat al Kharaba, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1682296, 37.0184326 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported two children killed in alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes continued their raids on the town of Khan Al A’ssal and Dahiat al Kahraba neighbourhood which led to the dead of two children [girls] in the latter.”

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that two unidentified civilians died in a Russian strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

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