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

RS342

Incident date

January 4, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed and several others injured in alleged Russian and/or Assad regime airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network produced two reports on the alleged incident. The first report put the death toll at two and an unspecified number of wounded, while the second report said five civilians were killed in addition to “casualties”.

The Daesh agency Al A’maq blamed Russia. However others claimed Assad regime helicopters had also participated in the attacks.

According to the VDC, Farouk Bakeer – a White Helmet volunteer – died in al-Bab on January 4th, though it attributes his death to an Assad regime airstrike. All 4 Syria blamed Russia, noting; “Activists said Russian warplanes raided Daesh-occupied al-Bab four times, targeting Osama bin Zaid Mosque and a field hospital in the city, and causing the deaths of five civilians according to a preliminary toll, including a civil defense worker  called Farouk Bakir. In addition a number of civilians were wounded.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Farouk Bakeer
Adult male White Helmet volunteer killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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 infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS341

Incident date

January 3, 2016

Location

الشيخ مسكين‎, Sheikh Miskeen, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.827948, 36.158664 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and man were killed in Sheikh Miskeen according to local sources – though it is not clear whether regime air or ground forces, strikes by Russian warplanes, or both were responsible for the deaths.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights produced two reports on the incident. The first report said that Russian warplanes carried out 12 strikes on Sheikh Miskeen amid clashes between regime forces and rebels, and that the corpse of an old woman was found “around the town” with activists accusing the regime of killing her. But according to a second report a woman from Sheikh Miskeen died from injuries sustained when warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several raids on the town.

The VDC also lists Mohammad Ramadan as having died in the vicinity “Due to Russian air forces shelling.” And al Jazeera reported that “a woman and a child were seriously injured.” The VDC also later listed Basemah Fayez Muneif from the town as having died in al Ramth hospital in Jordan as a result of injuries sustained in regime shelling on January 3rd – which may match this incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ramadan
Adult male named as as having died in the vicinity “Due to Russian air forces shelling.” killed
Basemah Fayez Muneif
Adult female having died in al Ramth hospital in Jordan as a result of injuries sustained in regime shelling on January 3rd – which may match this incident killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The exact moment that the raids fell on Shiekh Miskeen. (via, Step News Agency)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Dara’a 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
    2 – 3
  • (1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS340

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

بيانون, Bayanoun, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34015, 37.05217 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed – one possibly a child – in an alleged Russian airstrike or artillery attack on the town of Bayanoun.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nidal Ahmad Amaya
12 or 21 years old male named by the Syria News App killed
Taghrid Hussein Amaya
40 years old male named by the Syria News App killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • 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 (20) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS339

Incident date

January 2, 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

Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said that 10 others were injured, and while the White Helmets were attempting to assist the wounded a plane raided again, killing a member of the White Helmets.

The White Helmets reported the death of one of their team, named as Hassan Al Haj Omar and posted a video showing his funeral.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died following the raid by “suspected Russian warplanes” targeting Omar bin Al Khattah Mosque in the town. Their report said that 10 medical staff had been killed in January.

The member of the White Helmets was also named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Abd Al Azeem Haj Omer.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Abd Al Azeem Haj Omer
Adult male member of the White Helmets killed

Summary

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

  • Video taken by citizen journalist in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raids. (via, Citizen Journalist)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video taken by citizen journalist of a child receiving stitches in a medical facility. (via, Citizen Journalist)
  • Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

RS338

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

مارع, Mare', Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.482582, 37.19593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One possible civilian was reported killed and several others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Mare’ in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian planes carried out raids on various areas, in particular the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at, Izaz, Mangh and Deir Jamal, leading to the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

According to the White Helmets, there were three raids by “warplanes” (they did not state who they belonged to) on Mare’, resulting in deaths and injuries, although precise casualty figures were not given.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that warplanes “believed to be Russian” carried out several airstrikes on areas in the towns of Mare’, Tal Rifa’at and Mangh, leading to the death of at least one person in Mare’ and injury of several others, in addition to damage  of civilian property.

One victim Alae Abdel Al Khateeb was named by the Violations Documentation Center (pictured above). However, an image of Mr al Khateeb carrying a gun (below) – and an image of his body held by a person in military fatigues – suggest he may have been linked to rebels in Mare’.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alae Abdel Al Khateeb
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the destruction in the aftermath of the contested raids. (via, abo al Majd)
  • Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed in a contested airstrike. Photograph shows him posing with a weapon, looks like a militant but extensive research shows no other signs of militancy. (via, Nazir al Hafz)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed on 2nd January 2016. (via, Homs Media Network Facebook)
  • Alae Adel al-Khateeb, killed on 2nd January 2016. (via, Mare’ the city of Martyrs)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS336

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including a woman and child were reported killed at a camp for displaced people in A’zaz.

Radio Al Kul reported that “Three civilians were killed and tens injured, among them many children in critical condition, by Russian airstrikes on A’zaz and a refugee camp on the outskirts of the town.”

The three victims were named by the VDC as was one Unidentified – adult male.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jameele Hasan
Adult female killed
Ayesha Azwar
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An interview with local civilians in the aftermath of the raid. (via, A'zaz Media Office)
  • An interview with local civilians in the aftermath of the raid. (via, North Press)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia does not appear to have published a strike summary for December 30th-31st 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–12
  • 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

Incident Code

RS337

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Location

الهداج, Hedaj, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.09813, 37.68171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Shayesh Hamdo al-Ahmad, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hedaj, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shayesh Hamdo al-Ahmad
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hedaj (الهداج), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.09813, 37.68171. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia does not appear to have published a strike summary for December 30th-31st 2015.

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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS335

Incident date

December 31, 2015

Location

مخيم عابدين للنازحين, A'bedeen camp for IDPs, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.4681522, 36.5376978 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed and 20 wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on A’bedeen camp for displaced people, according to the Shaam News Network.

The White Helmets told SNN that the shelling hit a large number of tents, scattering their contents across the site.

They added that firefighters and ambulance teams attended the scene and transported the injured to medical points.

SNN concluded their report by saying that the camp has been bombed many times.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fuad Shaker al-Satouf
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Fuad Shaker al-Satouf, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia does not appear to have published a strike summary for December 30th-31st 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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]