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)

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Incident Code

RS570

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Arteek, according to local sources.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported deaths in the town as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes: “Russian planes launched intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang, Tal Mssibain, Ma’arat al Arteek, Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafr Hamra, Kafr Naya, Miskan and the area of Qabr al Inglisi [the english tomb]. The raids led to the fall of martyrs and wounded in particular in Kafr Hamra and Ma’arat al Arteek.“

According to Shahba Press, three civilians died in a Russian strike. They provided no further details.

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian victim.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Badr Saleh Omar
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 man)
  • 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

RS571

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dayr al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.7857347, 36.6818047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two non-combatants including a woman were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Dayr al Kabira, according to local media.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported two deaths in Dayr al Kabira as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes.

Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The victims were also named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Khair al-Salibi
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Khadijeh Marto
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS572

Incident date

February 8, 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

One woman, Fatima al-Yousef, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh according to local sources.

The victim was also named by the Violations Documentation Center, Damascus Center for Human Rights and Talbisah Media Center.

According to Talbisah Media Center, “many” civilians were also injured and there was “huge” destruction to private property. It also published  a video showing a little girl who had been removed from the rubble.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima al-Yousef
Age unknown female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of a strike on Talbiseh, Feb 8th.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “During air duty mission, Su-25 attack aircraft detected 3 hardware columns transporting militants, armament and munitions along the highway Al-Qaryatayn – Homs. The strike resulted in elimination of 9 heavy trucks with munitions and more than 40 militants.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS567

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.237367, 37.171512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on the neighbourhoods of Al Halak, Al Salheen and al Kalassa and Ain Al Tall which led to the fall of martyrs – 16 in Salheen, 2 in Halak and wounded in Al Kalassa and many other wounded.”

According to LCCSY a woman and a child were killed in a Russian strike on the neighborhood.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS568

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A media activist named as Zakariya Orfalli was reported killed by a single source.

According to the Syrian Network, “Monday 8th February 2016 media activist Zakariya Orfalli was killed by a missile shrapnel that went into different parts of his body as he was covering the bombing by fixed wing warplanes we believe are Russian in Hraitan city localed in the northern suburbs of Aleppo governorate which is under the control of the armed opposition factions.

Zakariya, also known as al Nesir al Souri or Mazen al Hur, worked previously as a media activist for Aleppo Media Center and Aleppo News Network. He recently joined Fajr Movement, an armed opposition faction, as a media activist. From Aleppo city, he was born in 1991, and had been a second year student at the politiical scienes institute in Damascus [prior to the uprising].”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zakariya Orfalli
Adult male reportedly a media activist 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Zakaria Orfali (via Almodon)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.”

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS569

Incident date

February 8, 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

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network alleged that Russian warplanes launched “intense air raids using cluster bombs on the towns of Anadan, Hraytan, al Tamoura, Mang, Tal Mssibain, Ma’arat al Arteek,Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafr Hamra, Kafr Naya, Miskan and the area of Qabr al Inglisi [the english tomb]. The raids led to the fall of martyrs and wounded in particular in Kafr Hamra and Ma’arat al Arteek.”

Orient News also reported a Russian strike on Kafr Hamra but didn’t say how many civilians died. According to Enab Baladi, “warplanes targeted the neighborhoods of Al Rashideen and Amiriyah and Sukkari in the city, in addition to the village of Kafr Hamra, in the countryside of northern Aleppo, killing one person and injuring dozens of others.” It didn’t provide specific casualties figures for Kafr Hamra, nor did it identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS566

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807607, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 10 and 20 civilians including four to five children and three women were killed – and between 20 and 30 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Salheen according to local sources.

Shaam News Network initially reported that Russian warplanes “carried out a massacre” in the Salheen neighbourhood, killing 10 civilians and injuring many others. Activists told SNN that Russian forces fired two missiles, one of which hit a bus. A later report put the death toll higher at 16.

According to Orient News, a Russian raid targeted “transport buses, carrying civilians, resulting in the burning of the vehicles and the martyrdom of the inside, and seriously  injuring passers-by“. It said 20 non-combatants died.

Smart reported: “Our correspondent says that the warplanes are believed to be Russian, and bombed a main street in the neighborhood, featuring a market for street vendors, killing 16 civilians and wounding seven others, including children, leaving devastation in buildings, shops and property of civilians.”

LCCSY, Baladi, Shahba Press and Step News agency also attributed the incident to Russia.

The White Helmets said 10 died, most of them women and childred – and 20 others were wounded –  in a raid that targeted a passing car, but did not say who the “warplane” responsible belonged to.

An initial report by the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime, saying that at least seven non-combatants died. However, in a subsequent report it changed  position: “alleged Russian warplanes shelled Al Saleheen neighborhood in Aleppo city which killed 16 individuals including 5 children and a woman. Thirty others were injured.“

Eight victims were named by the Violations Documentation Cente.

Plus one unidentified female child – Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies (who said Russia was responsible) also named an unidentified female child and said that she was two months old.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shakra
Child female Named by VDC killed
Hasan Khaled Aaraj
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Abdullah Mohammad Kheir Moraei
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Ibraheem Mohammad Kanjo
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Abdullah Hussain Debes
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Siba Hussain Debes
Child female Named by VDC killed
Hala Hussain Debes
Child female Named by VDC killed
Mohammad Hussain Debes
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Joud Hussein Debs
Adult female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • The body of a man in a street in Salheen following alleged Russian airstrikes, feb 8th (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a child stuck under rubble following an alleged Russian raid on Salheen, February 8th (via SN4HR)
  • White Helmets after the attack (from a deleted White Helmet Facebook page)
  • Baladi News Network shows the aftermath of the strike

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim of the attack under the rubble (via SN4HR)
  • White helmets carrying a victims of the attack (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim from the attack. (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 20
  • (4–5 children3 women2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–30
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS565

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

الصبخة, Sabheh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20154, 40.42399 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Fatemah Naeif al Abdullah, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sabheh according to some local sources – though one other report said the regime was responsible. The woman was also named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently, who said she was 24-years-old.

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also blamed Russia. However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime. It named the same woman, but said she was killed “due to regime shelling on Mouhasan town“, not on Sabheh.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatemah Naeif al-Abdullah
Adult female Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.”

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 woman)
  • 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]