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

RS333

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Location

معر زيتة, Marzita, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.55783, 36.57137 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian was killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Marzita, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

According to the SOHR one man from Ma’ra al-Nu’man died from wounds sustained in alleged Russian airstrikes targeting Marzita.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulateif Mohammad al-Tanari
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Marzita (معر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.55783, 36.57137. 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

For December 28th-30th 2015, Russa has stated that “In the course of last two days, since December 28, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 121 combat sorties engaging 424 terrorists’ objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Daraa, Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS334

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, named by the Violations Documentation Center as media activist Yousef Abo Bilal, (aka Abu al-Homsi Joshua) was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike.

While the VDC lists Hamidiya neighbourhood in Homs, Yousef Abo Bilal actually died in Palmyra. His non-combatant status is also questioned.

As Enabbaladi notes: “Activists from the city of Homs mourned media activist Abu Bilal al-Homsi, who died in an air raid on the city of Palmyra in Homs on Wednesday 30th December. He wrote as activist Abu al-Homsi Joshua through his personal Facebook page… Abu Bilal had announced [in 2014] his pledge of allegiance to the Islamic State.“

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Yousef Abo Bilal
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Yousef Abo Bilal, killed by a contested Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, SNN)
  • Yousef Abo Bilal, killed by a contested Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Enab Baladi)

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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS329

Incident date

December 29, 2015

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

Two adult civilian men named as Abdullateef Abdul Ghani al-Omari (pictured) and Kamal Al Khaswan were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Miskeen.

Smart News said the air raids were linked to a major ground offensive: “Russian occupation planes carried out dozens of air strikes on Tuesday morning at Sheikh Miskeen in the Dara’a countryside, in an attempt to provide air cover for the forces of al-Assad and his militias, which are trying to break into the city. Our reporter quotes the Syrian Commission for the Media as saying that Russian planes carried out 18 raids this morning targeting neighborhoods of the city, which led to massive destruction to homes and infrastructure, though there were no reports of injuries as yet.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullateef Abdul Ghani al-Omari
Adult male killed
Kamal Al Khaswan
Adult male 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdullateef Abdul Ghani al-Omari, 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

For December 28th-30th 2015, Russa has stated that “In the course of last two days, since December 28, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 121 combat sorties engaging 424 terrorists’ objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Daraa, Raqqah and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

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]

Incident Code

RS328

Incident date

December 28, 2015

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 20 civilians, including two women and six children, were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the neighbourhoods of Tel Rifa’at in the northern countryside of Aleppo, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network initially reported that three non-combatants were killed and other injured but later put the death toll at more than 20, stating that most of the victims were women and children, including unidentified displaced people from outside the city, killed in four strikes by Russian warplanes on civilian homes. The Network posted a distressing video and images depicting child victims being treated in a medical facility.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also posted images of children wounded in the attack and reported on the incident, putting the death toll at at least nine, including one child. They subsequently reported that one woman, Mrs. Maha Abdullah Al Najar, age 34, was also killed.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Maha Abdullah al-Najar
Adult female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Mohammad Mustafa al-Najjar
Adult male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Sabah Mohammad al-Najjar
Child female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Hanan Mohammad al-Najjar
Child female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Mustafa Mohammad Najjar
Child male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Adnan Homad
Adult male killed
Abdul Fatah Abdul Salam Qarandal
Adult male killed
Mershed Bakri Kabso
Adult male killed
Mohammad Mohammad Yehya
Adult male killed
Abdul Jaleel Mohammad Halabiye
Adult male killed
Raad Samen Dabbas
Child male killed
Bashar Bakri Brair
Child male killed
Ahmad Yehya Derbas
Child male killed
Mohammad Jamal Shwaihne
Adult male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Kawthar al-Tarrab
Adult female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Hammoud Mahmoud al-Ali
Adult male listed as coming from Aleppo but location of death not given killed
Mahmoud al-Ali
Adult male listed as coming from Aleppo but location of death not given killed
Mohammed Abdel al-Gani Derbass
Adult male listed as having died from injuries sustained in this strike killed
Mrs. Maha Abdullah Al Najar
34 years old female named by SNHR killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (6 children2 women10 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A child writhes in agony following alleged airstrike on Tal Rifa'at, December 28th. (via, SNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian raid. (via, SNN)
  • Moments after the airstrike hit the neighbourhood. (via, Tal Rifa’at Station)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured or deceased child on the floor. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Upsetting footage of injure children being treated in a medical facility in Tal Rif'at. (via, SNN

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians being rescued by the White Helmets from inside a building. (via, Aleppo News Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20
  • (6 children2 women10 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS327

Incident date

December 28, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft over the city.”

They noted that the raids focused on the vital centres of Palmyra – the main electricity directorate, Heer Palacen and the salt factories in the industrial area as well as the archaeological area – and that dozens were wounded in addition to those that died.

According to the Network the raids also caused massive destruction in residential areas as the planes were using highly explosive rockets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 40 Russian airstrikes targeting the town of Mahin – the electricity management area, Qasr al-Her school, Tadmur city and al-Sena’ia area, killing four civilians, including a child.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Musaab Ali Batman al-Assad al-Nazar
Adult male killed
Abd al-Monem al-Asad al-Nazer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS323

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Palmyra, according to the Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Center.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 10 raids targeting the city hospital, resulting in significant damage to buildings and equipment.

They added that 10 other raids were launched on the cultural center and that large fires broke out in the orchards surrounding the city in 30 additional raids with cluster bombs.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a young man died in raids on parts of the city but did not state who the planes belonged to.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdulrazzaq al-Saoud
Adult male killed
Naeim al-Assad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS324

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

Turkmen mount, Lattakia, Syria

Geolocation

35.781035, 35.982277 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, Fuad Khodr Kerawan, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in the vicinity of Turkmen mount, 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:

Fuad Khodr Kerawan
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
    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
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

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

RS325

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

كحيل, Kaheel, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.616784, 36.266117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians were reported killed including a woman and dozens wounded, in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kaheel according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that four non-combatants died when Russian warplanes struck the town. The seriously wounded were taken to field hospitals.

Five victims were listed by the Violations Documentation Center and one Unidentified adult female was also listed.

The Yaqueen Media Foundation posted two videos, one showing the body of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani and another depicting his funeral.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saeid Hamed al-Masri
Adult male killed
Fayez Naser al-Qaderi
Adult male killed
Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al-Mefelani
Child male killed
Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The burial of Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al Mefelani. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Saeid Hamed al-Masri, killed by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mustafa Mohammad Mehsen al-Mefelani, male child, killed by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Tarek al-Naasan, killed by an alleged Russian raid. (via, VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kaheel (كحيل), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.616784, 36.266117. 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

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 woman3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]