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

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:

Child female Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
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

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:

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

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]

Incident Code

RS562

Incident date

February 7, 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

Four civilians including two women and two children died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Additionally, Shaam News Network reported alleged Russian strikes on the town, but did not provide casualty numbers: “They [Russia] also targeted with cluster bombs anadan city and the towns of Tamourah, Meng, Tel Mssibeen, Ma’arat Al Arteek, Hayan, Bayanoun, Kafrhamra, Kafrnaya which killed people in kafr hamra and Ma’ara al Arteek and caused several injuries.

Three victims of an alleged Russian strike were named by Halab News in addition to an unidentified woman.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee also named these people as killed in “shelling“, but didn’t give any further details. According to Shahba Press, four non-combatants died in a Russian raid.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Abdul Qadir
30 years old female Listed by Halab News killed
Badr al-Din Yahya Ja’alok
2 years old male Listed by Halab News killed
Elaf
8 years old male Listed by Halab News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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

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
    4
  • (2 children2 women)
  • 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

RS563

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

طابية شامية, Tabya Shameih, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2500351, 40.2948475 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tabya Shameih, according to local sources.

In a news brief, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said two victims (children) “died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tabiyet Al Sham town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern countryside, February 7, 2016.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that two children died and three houses were destroyed “after Russian planes targeted the village with three missiles.” A second report said that three people died:  “1- the child Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an  2- the girl Russal Mohammad al Jada’an 3- the young woman Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an and there are many others in critical condition.

According to Free Deir Ezzor radio, the “two twin sons of Mohammad Ismail Jadaan” died in a Russian strike.

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that Russia was responsible and added that three children and another civilian had not yet been identified.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Russal Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an
Adult female Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Step News Agency reporting Russian strikes and victims

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS564

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

البوعمر, Al Buomar, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2376014, 40.2660513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Naji al Izbeh, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Buomar, according to the Violations Documentation Center and other local sources – though there is some confusion among sources as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

In an initial tweet, LCCSY said this was a strike by the regime, killing one civilian and wounding others. However, in a second tweet it appeared to change position and blame Russia, again naming Naji al Izbeh as killed.

Al Jisr said a number of individuals had been killed – including children – in a raid by “military warplanes“, but didn’t identify the culprit.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that “regime planes targeted last night the village with three missiles destroying three houses.” However, the time is given as “last night“, with further research required.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Named by VDC

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS560

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child, named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Nasser,  was killed in an airstrike on Hraytan according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “places in Qabr al-Englizi area (tomb of the English) were bombed by warplanes believed to be Russian, which killed a child and injured others”.The Syrian Human Rights Committee and Halab News also named Hasan Nasser and blamed Russia.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights regime warplanes carried out the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.“

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 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS561

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.43304, 37.5671053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, a single source, the Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein.

LCCSY also put the death toll at four with more wounded but did not say who was responsible, while Shahba said that there had been Russian strikes in the town but didn’t provide casualty numbers.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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

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
    4
  • 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

RS557

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

تادف, Tadif, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tadeef, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

These victims were also named by Halab News and the Syrian Human Rights Committee.

Shahba Press also said two non-combatants died in a Russian raid.

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

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
  • (2 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 (4) [ collapse]