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

RS303

Incident date

December 22, 2015

Location

تفتناز, Taftanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.99832, 36.78579 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Mudar Abdulhameed Ezz, was listed killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Taftanaz, according to the Violations Documentation Center. In fact Mr Ezz lived in Taftanez but died in a December 20th airstrike on Idlib, with his body recovered from the ruins of the courthouse two days later.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mudar Abdulhameed Ezz
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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Unknown
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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ 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]

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

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

RS296

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

رامي, Al Rami, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.763259, 36.558089 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or more civilians were reported killed and more than 10 injured in Russian airstrikes on the villages of Al Zawiya mountain.

Footage appears to show a Su 24 in apparent Russian Air Force colours dropping two bombs in the vicinity of the town.

According to the Shaam News Network five or more Russian airstrikes with rockets targeted civilian homes in Al Rami. It added that the White Helmets were working to remove rubble and rescue the wounded.

Eldorar placed the civilian death toll at six, saying that the Russian attack had caused “extensive destruction to houses and property.” Maara Now said four civilians from one family died, they were all named by the VDC.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Khaled Yahya al-Khatib
Adult male killed
The wife of Khaled Yahya al-Khatib
Adult female killed
Mostafa Mohammad Khatib
Adult male killed
Zainab Ahmad al-Khatib
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Warplanes in the skies above Al Rami. Throughout the video you hear clear audio people (military) on the ground on walkie talkies describing the direction the warplane is taking and the bombs released also, and clearly stating Jabal el Zawiya. Our researchers believe we can confidently associate this video with this incident. (via, SNN)
  • A news clip reporting on the alleged Russian airstrike. (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
    4 – 6
  • (2 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    8–10
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS297

Incident date

December 21, 2015

Location

الشيخ مقصود, Sheikh Maqsod (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.236126, 37.150049 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were reported killed and nine injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sheikh Maqsod, according to the Shaam News Network. SNN reported that Russian warplanes launched several raids which came after the signing of a ceasefire between  rebels and the Kurdish People’s Protection Units.

However all other sources blamed the Assad regime. Ana Press noted: “Regime aircraft this afternoon targeted the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood of Aleppo, killing two people and wounding others. The event is the first of its kind in two years, as the Sheikh Maksoud neighborhood has not been subjected to shelling, or airstrikes – not even from the Russian planes, which intervened in the region recently, since the neighbourhood has for several years been under the control of Kurdish factions in the city of Aleppo.”

Hawar News also blamed the regime, saying that barrel bombs had killed three civilians including an unborn child. It named the dead as Adnan Sabri Jawish aged 56 years and 20-year old Silvana Mustafa who was pregnant.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adnan Sabri Jawish
56 years old named by Hawar News killed
Silvana Mustafa
20 years old female pregnant named by Hawar News killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–10
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Sheikh Maqsod following airstrikes on December 21st 2015. (via, Ana Press)

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 harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–10
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS295

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189

Airwars assessment

Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the regime on the outskirts of Khan Tuman.

Fresh Syria said the death toll was 15 “and many seriously injured, most of them taken to field hospitals on the Turkish border.” Smart News said the town was hit by “rockets and heavy bombs.” And the opposition Aleppo Media Centre reported that “Russian occupation aircraft fired six missiles on the main road in the town of Kfernaha, causing the martyrdom of at least 15 civilians and the wounding of more than 25 others – in addition to the burning of a number of cars and the demolishing of shops.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • 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
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
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • 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]