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

RS249

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52777, 36.38582 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twenty-three civilians including eight children and one woman were reported killed and 20 injured in an airstrike on a residential area of Hamouriya, according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network initially said 14 non-combatants died in a “massacre” by Russian warplanes. It later put the death toll at 18. The White Helmets posted videos and images depicting fires and destruction. It initially listed 18 dead, with the final list rising to 23. The civil defence group did not say who was responsible for the raid.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights was alone in blaming the regime, reporting that at least 12 civilians were killed including four children when two missiles hit several shops.

The  White Helmets’ released a final list with names including one unidentified person.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ibtisam Abdel Nasser al-Khatib
Child killed
Raghad Abdel Nasser al-Khatib
2 years old killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Al Kassir
Child male killed
Taka Sarya al Zein
Child killed
Hadi Darkish
Child killed
Abdel Nasser al-Khatib
Child male killed
Mayssa Wahba
Age unknown killed
Islam Al Hassan
Child killed
Yamen Amin Abbas
Child killed
Ibrahim al-Shami
Age unknown killed
Said Abdel Al Jawad
Age unknown killed
Ismail Mohammed al-Khatib
Age unknown killed
Saeed Ismail al-Khati
Age unknown killed
Mohammed Wasim Al Kharbotal
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Mou’een Al Zein
Age unknown male killed
Khalid Saeed Al Zoubi
Age unknown killed
Mohamed Mohamed Hadida
Age unknown male killed
Mohamed Mohamed Al Outani
Age unknown male killed
Tahssin Al  Durra
Age unknown killed
Samer Safayya
Age unknown killed
Jalal A’llam
Age unknown killed
Khalid Al Sheikha
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    White Helmets fighting fires in Hamouriya. (via, White Helmets)
  • Civilians being rescued by the White Helmets. (via White Helmets)
  • The moment the airstrike occurred on December 9th in Hamouriya. (via, White Helmets)
  • On the ground moments after the airstrike fell. (via, White Helmets)
  • Fires being put out after contested airstrikes. (via, White Helmets)
  • An interview with a local civilian. (via, Hamouriya Media Centre)
  • Graphic image of a deceased child. (via SNN).
  • Fires which broke out following a contested airstrike. (via SNN)
  • A body dragged from the rubble in Hamouriya. (via, SNN)
  • Injured civilian being loaded into a truck following an airstrike in Hamouriya. (via, SNN)
  • An injured civilian 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    23
  • (8 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS243

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight to 13 civilians including three women and three children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an airstrike on Kafr Hamra according to multiple sources. Reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network said Russian forces were responsible and had pounded the city at midnight. It reported that dozens of wounded non-combatants were recovered from the rubble by the White Helmets, and that bodies were trapped under the walls and roofs of the destroyed houses while fires broke out in the town. The Violations Documentation Centre named nine civilians it said were killed as a result of Russian shelling.

But according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights  the regime was responsible for the raid. It put the death toll at five.

The victims were named by the VDC. including one unidentified adult male.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Maroush Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Samirah Abdo al-Mahmoud
Adult female killed
Abduljalil al-Mahmoud
Child male killed
Hala al-Mahmoud
Child female killed
Yaser Yaser al-Mahmoud
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Haloum al-Aas
Adult male killed
Sabah Sehreep
Adult female killed
Mohammad Sami
Adult male Was initially listed, though his name was later removed. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Kafr Hamra (كفر حمرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.252649, 37.079115. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 13
  • (3 children3 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS244

Incident date

December 8, 2015

Location

تلول الحمر, Tulul Al Humur, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

34.956623, 36.959188 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center listed one unidentified adult female as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tulul Al Humur.

No further details are available at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Tulul Al Humur (تلول الحمر), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.956623, 36.959188. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS239

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

المغيرية, Mughayriyah, Latakia, Syria

Geolocation

35.6774723, 36.1815729 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians were reported killed and several others injured, including women and children, when Russian warplanes allegedly “launched scores of strikes on residential areas”, according to the Shaam News Network.

No further details are available at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 Mughayriyah (المغيرية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.6774723, 36.1815729. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS240

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

حي السكري, Al Sukkari, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.17594, 37.14111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were reported killed and 10 injured in an airstrike on the Al Sukkari neighbourhood, according to multiple sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes were responsible for the raid after a vacuum missile caused the collapse of an entire building.

The White Helmets also put the death toll at five, and said that they had managed to rescue 10 people from under the rubble. However they did not attribute responsibility for the raid.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that regime missiles were responsible, claiming five lives.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets attempt to rescue survivors from an alleged Russian or regime raid on Al Sukkari, December 7th. (via, White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets amidst a rescue operation following a contested airstrike. (via, White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS241

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الهلك, Huluk (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.237367, 37.171512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including two women and two children were killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike targeting Al Huluk School, Aleppo, according to the Shaam News Network.

The White Helmets reported that four dead bodies were recovered from the rubble and that 10 injured people were rescued. It said that among the dozens of wounded were many students, as the bombing occurred during school hours. Al Jazeera interviewed witnesses in Aleppo who said an aid station at the school was bombed.

Four victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center. They also noted one Unidentified male child

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Hameed Sultan
Adult male killed
Bilal Mahmoud
Child male killed
Sahar Ghazal al-Hamwi
Adult female killed
Fatme Ahmad al-Jasem
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets work to remove victims from an alleged Russian strike on Al Hulluk, Dec 7th (via White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets reported that they removed four dead bodies and rescued 10 injured civilians following the alleged Russian strike on Al Hulluk, Dec 7th (via White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS242

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807607, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four civilians including a child and at least one women were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike in the neighbourhood of Salheen, according to Shaam News Network and the White Helmets.

The White Helmets reported that the team managed to rescue three people and transferred them to field hospitals.

Three victims were named by the Violations Documentation Centre.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Ahmad al-Hardan
Adult male killed
Ayda al-Hasan
Adult female killed
Mahmoud Bethe
2 years old male died, “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling.” killed
Sahar Hamwi
Adult female The VDC also initially named Sahar Hamwi as a victim of the event. However her name has since been removed. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two year old child, Mahmoud Beshe, who died from wounds sustained a day earlier in a Turkish hospital, according to the VDC. (via, VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS236

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Union of Hama Rebels reported that five people were killed in Hama but did not state whether they were civilians. It added that one of those killed was “documented in secret” and named him as Ahmad Mohammad Al Abboud, who died “as a result of Russian bombing on Kafr Zita in Hama countryside.

No further details are known at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad Mohammad Al Abboud
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]