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

RS331

Incident date

December 30, 2015

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

Two civilians were reported killed and “dozens” wounded in airstrikes on Douma, according to the Shaam News Network – though the Network did not state whether Russia or the Assad regime was responsible.

The White Helmets told SNN that aircrafts bombed the city with about 12 rockets which led to the death of two civilians. It said the death toll was likely to increase due to the large number of casualties, adding that some people were still trapped under rubble due to widespread destruction caused by the raids.

According to SNN, Assad regime artillery also targeted residential buildings and facilities with a number of shells – though an associated smoke plume appears to indicate an aerial missile or bomb attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage suggests December 30th attack on Douma was an airstrike. (via, Orient News)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–24
  • 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

Incident Code

RS332

Incident date

December 30, 2015

Location

خان السبل, Khan Subul, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.754949, 36.756941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, Bahaa Mohammad al-Sabouh (pictured) was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Khan Subul.

Step News said that “Russian planes launched several air raids on the town of Khan Subul and Mount Shahshabo from the southern countryside of Idlib, resulting in one civilian death in Khan Subul and several injuries among civilians.”

However the status of the victim is contested, with Sana and other pro-regime media outlets claiming that Bahaa al-Sabouh wasa leader with the militant  Jabhat el Nusra group.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    0 – 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ 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:

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

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)

Adult female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Adult male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Child female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Child female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Child male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Adult male listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Adult female listed as coming from Mahe but killed at Tal Rifa’at killed
Adult male listed as coming from Aleppo but location of death not given killed
Adult male listed as coming from Aleppo but location of death not given killed
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

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

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

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

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:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
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

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]

Incident Code

RS326 CS160

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

أخترين, Akhtarin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.511585, 37.336593 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reportedly killed by alleged Russian and Coalition warplanes in the residential neighbourhood of Akhtarin, Aleppo. However, there are disputed claims as to whether the raids were carried out by Russia or the Coalition.

LCCSY and Quasion News Agency both blamed the Coalition for the airstrikes – with Quasion noting that Russia was shelling parts of Aleppo in the same vicinity with vacuum missiles around the same time. They also claimed this was an IS controlled area and that there were “reports of deaths and injuries amongst Daash as a result of the international raids”. The Syrian News Press and multiple local sources do however blame Russia.

According to local sources –The village of Turkman Bareh, Akhtreen Facebook Page – dozens of women and children were also injured in the raid on residential homes. 

In their January 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Akhtarin (أخترين), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.511585, 37.336593. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Unknown Assessment:

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

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SCA510420
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020
  • December 27, 2015, in Akhtarin, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2886/CS160 37SCA510420

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

For December 26th-27th, the Colaition reported: "Near Manbij, three strikes struck three separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL weapons cache, and wounded ISIL fighters."

For December 27th-28th: "Near Manbij, eleven strikes struck seven separate ISIL tactical units and destroyed an ISIL vehicle, an ISIL vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), an ISIL building, cratered two ISIL-used roads, and damaged an ISIL fighting position."

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (5) [ 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:

Adult male killed
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

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]