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

RS308

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

الديرونة, Daironeh, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.9452092, 36.2151003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Staif al-Wahban, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Daironeh, Hama, according to the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Human Rights Campaign.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Staif al-Wahban
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 Daironeh (الديرونة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.9452092, 36.2151003. 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

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

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

RS304

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Location

حي العمال, Al Oummal (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3222686, 40.1443005 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians including one child and five people from the same family were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Oummal, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian raids killed five members of the Wais al-Saleh family.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Wais al-Saleh family 1
Adult male killed
Wais al-Saleh family 2
Adult male killed
Wais al-Saleh family 3
Adult male killed
Wais al-Saleh family 4
Adult male killed
Wais al-Saleh family 5
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Saed Amer al-Saleh
Adult male killed
Omer al-Askar
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child6 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Saed Amer al-Saleh, killed in 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 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child6 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS305

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – one woman and one female child – were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hayyan, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that two victims – a female child and a woman – died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Hayyan, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “Russian warplanes went in 6 airstrikes on Hreta, Hayan, al-Mallah, and Asia areas in the northern countryside what killed a woman and a child.”

The Shaam News Network also reported death and wounded by as a result of attacks by Russian planes but did not state numbers killed and injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Kawthar Haj Ibraheem
Adult female killed
Qamar Sharraq al-Zait
Child male killed

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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hayyan (حيان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.32417, 37.05886. 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 18th-23rd 2016, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

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
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS306

Incident date

December 23, 2015

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81374, 36.60964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male, Mahmoud Sonae also known as Abo Mehyo of Ariha, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

Mr Sonae was caught in a major airstrike on Idlib on December 20th, and appears to have died of his injuries three days later.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mahmoud Sonae
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • An image provided by the VDC possibly of the burial of Mahmoud Sonae. (via, VDC)
  • Another image provided by the VDC. (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 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS298

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

كفر داعل, Kafr Da'el, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.216015, 37.021403 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians including two children were killed and several other children injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike which hit an elementary school in Kafr Da’el in the countryside west of Aleppo.

According to the Shaam News Network which blamed Russia, local activists said those killed were a teacher (or possibly school superintendent) and two students, while the injured were taken to medical points for treatment. The VDC, Baladi News, Halab News, Al Buraq and TurkArab also blamed Russia.

Smart News instead said the deaths occurred “after Regime warplanes threw explosive barrels on the town of Kafr Dael.” Jisr TV agreed that the regime was responsible.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein Haso
Age unknown named by Al Buraq killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Al Jisir news bulletin reporting on the contested airstrikes. (via, Al Jisir)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of a deceased child, possibly one of the students, (via, Baladi News)
  • The aftermath of the event. (via, Baladi News)
  • Part of the inside of the school which was targeted during the attack on 22nd December 2015. (via, Al Burqa Media)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd 2016, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS299

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

جسر الشغور, Jisr al Shughour, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81425, 36.319812 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between five and eight civilians including one to five women and four children were killed – and several other injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bdama, Jisr al Shughour, according to multiple sources.

Reports by the Shaam News Network said that Russian warplanes targeted the town with two vacuum missiles, leading to the death of one woman, her three children and her fourth unborn child.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights stated that five women were killed in the attack, three from the same family

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Omer al-Jamal
Adult male killed
Mohammad Kamal
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ali Haj Ahmad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (4 children1–5 women3 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Fires blaze as White Helmets rescue a man from site of alleged Russian strike on Bdama, Dec 22nd (via White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A baby killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on December 22nd 2015. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another girl killed by alleged Russian airstrikes on 22nd December 2015. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets carry the bodies of deceased children from the scene. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man carried from the scene by the White Helmets in Jisr al Shughour. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A girl's body being carried from the scene. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 8
  • (4 children1–5 women3 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS300

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

بزينة, Bzeina, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.4825877, 36.4399767 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 20 and 40 civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in devastating alleged Russian airstrikes on the village of Bzeina, according to multiple reports. While the destruction of the market and surrounding homes was extensive, the aircraft may have been targeting rebels. Videos filmed at the scene show some casualties and rescuers in military fatigues – with all of those listed as killed adult males.

Activists told Shaam News Network the afternoon bombing targeted the centre of a popular market which was teeming with non-combatants, wounding many and causing widespread damage to the market. They added that the death toll was likely to rise due to the seriousness of injuries.

All4Syria quoted local resident and media activist Adam Shami: “Russian planes today targeted a popular market in the small village of Bzeina in the Marj region. Its entire population doesn’t exceed 500 families, along with some displaced families. But the warplanes have utterly destroyed Bzeina’s small marketplace.”

Smart News cited a local doctor who said medical facilities were overwhelmed by the casualties: “The doctor added that there are cases of amputation among the victims, ‘especially as the market area was crowded with children and women.’”

VDC and Syria 2011 have both reported 20 victims, including seven people they could not identify.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nayef al-Houri
Adult male killed
Mohammad Hassan al-Keilani
Adult male killed
Adham Eteibani or Otaibana
Adult male killed
Alaa Mohammad Haussain
Adult male killed
Hassan Mohammad Haussain
Adult male killed
Yazan Diab
Adult male killed
Mohammad Abdulqader
Adult male killed
Omar al-Sheikh Suleiman
Adult male killed
Abdulrazzaq Barakat
Adult male killed
Abdo Zeitoun
Adult male killed
Abdulrazzaq Turkmani
Adult male killed
Abo Nizar Hmadeh
Adult male killed
Ismaeil al-Kurdi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–200
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of a major alleged Russian airstrike on Bzeina December 22nd 2015. (via @AdamsRashidi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic video of the aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike on Bzeina. Shows bodies being taken from the rubble. (via, Quasion)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.” No mention was made of Damascus governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 40
  • (13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–200
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS301

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

17 civilians including seven women and three children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Hamidiya neighbourhood, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network, the Syrian Network for Human Rights and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently all named child victims (also named in the VDC list below).

Violations Documentation Center named 15 victims and also listed two unidentified victims:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Amani al-Sayed
Adult female killed
Ragheb al-Sayed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Abbas Saleh al-Wees
Adult male killed
Ziad al-Wees
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Muhannad al-Habib
Adult male killed
Marah al-Habib
Adult female killed
Wife of Ziad Ahmad al-Habib
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Wasma al-Elwan
Adult female killed
Najah al-Elwan
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Yaser Karsjli
Adult male killed
Mohammad al-Fetouri
Adult male killed
Taybah Haydar al-Esheish
Child female killed
Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri
Child male killed
Amani Rageb al-Basheer
Adult female killed
Iyman Ragheb al-Basheir
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Taybah Haydar al-Esheish, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Hamidiya, December 22nd 2015. (via SNN)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, December 22nd. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Mohammad al-Fetouri killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, VDC)
  • Ziad al-Wees, a baby killed in the alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Zeid Mohammad al-Fetouri, a male child, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Iyman Ragheb al-Basheir, adult female, killed on 22nd December 2015 by alleged Russian airstrikes. (via, VDC)
  • Najah al-Elwan, adult female, killed in al alleged Russian airstrike 22nd December 2015. (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 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (3 children7 women7 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 (9) [ collapse]