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

RS212

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine named  civilians including a child were reported killed – and at least 10 others injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the northern suburbs of Aleppo, targeting a truck on the road to the Bab Al Salama crossing point, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights. The network also stated that several freight cars were burnt in the alleged raid.

Abdul Kader, a local media activist said: “At 6 pm Russian warplanes which were flying at a high altitude launched an airstrike on our city. The first targeted an office that organizes the entry of trucks to Bab Al Salama crossing point, which is 4km away from the border. The second strike targeted a square 3km away from the Bab Al-Salam border crossing point.”

The pro-regime site Syrian Microscope claimed the trucks were carrying ammunition for rebel groups. However, Enabbaladi said, “most of the trucks on this road usually bring relief goods from Turkey to help the displaced or needy alike.”

Seven victims were named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The VDC also listed two unidentified victims.

Unidentified 1 – adult, male “Due to the Russian airforces shelling on Izaz – Bab al Salamah road, his body was found charred.”

Unidentified 2 – adult, male. Listed as above.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing civilian casualties as result of an alleged Russian aircraft in Azaz, North Aleppo. (Via Abdelkader Abou Youssef)
  • A photo of Ahmad Matar al Zgeer, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (1 child4–8 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS213

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.1168, 36.51522 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians – both children – were reported killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and others. Salqeen’s co-ordinating committee alleged that Russia used cluster munitions in the attack.

A field investigation by Al Jazeera English interviewed a child eyewitness badly injured in the event: “I was eating on the roof of the house. My little brother was up there too. He started running because of the plane.” His father said his other son was in Turkey receiving treatment: “I don’t know if he’s alive or dead.”

The VDC has listed two children killed in the incident.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Child male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC injured

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The father of a family caught in an alleged Russian airstrike at Kafr Takharim talks to Al Jazeera. (via Al Jazeera)
  • Images show the damage after the alleged Russian airstrike and the searching that civil defence workers coordinated in the aftermath of the incident. (Via Civil defence Idlib facebook post)
  • The effects of damage by alleged Russian air raids that targeting residential houses in the city. (via Tkafartakharim)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian raid hit. (via, Salquin)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Idlib.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS204

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed, and five to six injured, in an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Maarat al Numan, according to multiple sources.

Shaam News Network said the raid targeted the only water well in the town – at a time when a number of citizens were using the facility. It posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged strike. At 0’33” the sign on a wall reads: ‘The project for drinking water in Ma’arat Al Nu’uman’. A grain store or bakery was also reported destroyed.

A witness interviewed by Shaam notes: “The emergency centres were targeted in Ma’arat Al-Nu’man with a Russian missile. This is a humanitarian services centre which has no sign of militants and over there is the well of Ma’arat which feeds into the town. It is used for emergencies [fires etc] Is this a place of terrorists?  A child died here and two other people who had come to collect water. To the Arabs and to the civilised world – these are humanitarian targets that Putin is bombing.”

Moustafa Ghareeb, a local media activist, told the Syrian Network for Human Rights: “On Saturday the Russian warplanes launched four airstrikes on the city between 11:30 and 12:00 p.m. The airstrike targeted a water well of the Dourat Al Kheir Organization. This well provides the city with more than 130 filled water-tankers daily. The airstrike also targeted a wheat storage place which killed two individuals including a tank driver and injured 6 workers. The well and the storage place were damaged greatly.

The SN4HR named two victims killed in the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male named by SN4HR killed
Child male named by SN4HR killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image depicting the ruins of a wheat warehouse, following an alleged Russian airstrike on Ma'arat Al Nu'man, November 28th (via Almarra Today)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Maarat al Numan. Nov 28th (via ShaamNetwork S.N.N)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Ahmad Abdullah Mezar Makhzoum (via VDC)
  • 'A new airstrike by an alleged Russian aircraft hit a store for wheat and a water well in Ma'arat al-Nu'man in rural Idlib', Nov 28th (via Almarra today)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS205

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

بانص, Banis, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.97697, 36.9748 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven to eight civilians were reported killed, including two women and four children, and at least people 20 injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Bansh, according to the Shaam News Network and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Shaam posted a video depicting the aftermath of the alleged attack, stating that an entire family was killed and that the death toll was eight. It also claimed this was the fifth time a local truce between Jaish Al Fatah and the Assad regime had been broken.

According to the Syrian Network, seven non-combatants died, three houses were destroyed and three further homes were majorly damaged. The monitors also stressed that an agreed truce between the Syrian regime and the rebel Al Fateh Army had been broken.

Omar Hajj Kaddour, a local media activist, told the Syrian Network: “I was in my house when the first airstrike happened at around 12 pm. I went there to film the location. Then the second airstrike was launched while I was trying to reach the house. The warplanes shelled a house, which killed eight individuals and their bodies were turned to body parts. Bansh is among other cities that have an agreement with government forces. But the Russian warplanes breached the truce and shelled the city.”

SN4HR and VDC named seven victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed
Child female Named by SN4HR killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female Named by SN4HR killed
Adult female Named by SN4HR killed
Age unknown male Named by SN4HR killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of bodies as they are removed from the site of an alleged Russian raid on Bansh, November 28th 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The aftermath of the incident where an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid targeted Pensch killing an entire family. (via ShaamNetwork S.N.N)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 8
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS206

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

الصورة, Sawara, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

33.13, 36.52249 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six non-combatants including three children were reported killed and many injured in an alleged Russian (or possibly Assad regime) airstrike on Sawara, according to multiple sources.

Shaam News Network reported that five civilians (including three children) died in the attack, and that “a large number” were wounded.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Russian warplanes launched several rockets on residential houses, killing a total of six people: four civilians (including three children) and two armed opposition members. They stated that three houses were completely destroyed.

The Syria Media Organisation posted a video showing a correspondent visiting the site of the alleged raid. He said: “As you can see here are the signs of destruction in the town of Sawara after it was targeted by Russian Sukhoi planes. As you can see this is signs of destruction that happened over the heads of civilians. Look this way brother. Children have been pulled out from under the rubble. It took about an hour and a half to pull them out because the location was targeted by artillery shells. Look brother [speaking to camera man] at the total destruction of the house. Nothing escaped these raids, not children, not trees, nor birds or animals.”

The White Helmets posted a graphic video showing the remains of children being removed from the rubble.

Six victims were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Adult female Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed
Child female Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets lift rubble following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime airstrike on Sawara, November 28th (via White Helmets)
  • A crater and destruction left by the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime strike on Sawara, November 28th. (via SN4HR)
  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime aviation which targeted Binch and killed an entire family. (via SMO Syria)
  • The destruction caused by the targeting of civilian homes. (via Ammar Al Zayed)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic footage showing the remains of children and other civilians after targeting of a civilian neighbourhood, 28th November 2015. (viaSCDdaraa)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Ali Saad al Hareeri, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via VDC)
  • The White Helmets rescuing bodies from the rubble. (via, Daraa White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets help to clear up the rubble in the aftermath of the incident. (via, Daraa White Helmets)
  • The White Helmets rescuing bodies from the rubble. (via, Daraa White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia made no mention of strikes in Dara’a governorate for the week of November 26th–December 4th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (3 children3 men)
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS207

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

الأتارب, Al Atarib, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.136728, 36.829274 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed including one child in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Atarib. There were two events several hours apart. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and others, one attack struck a school which suffered major damage and was no longer in use.

Two victims were named SNHR.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male Named by SNHR killed
Adult male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • 'Destruction of Russian airstrikes on #Atarib city last night' (via Civil Defence Aleppo)
  • A news bulletin showing the aftermath of the incident where a school was targeted. (via, Halab News Network)
  • Hammoud Moustafa Katfa, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike. (via @aabdallah111987)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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

RS208

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

أباد, Abbada, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.9227696, 36.9230783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of four was reported killed in the village of Abbad in the Aleppo countryside, following alleged Russian raids.

An eyewitness reported the following to Orient News: “Everyone here works in agriculture and shepherding. I was in the shop buying some things and we saw the plane. It struck the first blow on the western side of the village. Another plane came and carried out another raid on the southern side of the village. After two or three minutes it struck this house here. They were sleeping. There were a man, his wife and his two daughters, a 2-year-old and a one-year-old. They were all martyred.”

VDC has named the family members that killed in “Russian strikes”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Adult male Named by VDC killed
Adult female Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed
Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 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 Abbada (أباد ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.9227696, 36.9230783. 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 reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 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

RS202

Incident date

November 28, 2015

Location

خان شيخون, Khan Shaykhun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.44208, 36.65095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sisters and their mother were among four civilians killed in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun, according to reports.

Local journalist Bassel al Darwish said “Assad’s criminal planes and Russia” were responsible for the deaths. The FSA and the Damascus Centre blamed the regime. And Syria 2011 and the local coordination committee held Russia solely responsible.

The VDC – which blamed “air forces shelling of the city” – has named the four victims.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult female Name by VDC killed
Child female Name by VDC injured
Child female Name by VDC killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male Name by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    GRAPHIC: The bodies of two sisters killed in AN alleged Russian strike on Khan Sheikhoun, November 28th (via SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of Leen (via SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A picture of Haneen (via SNN)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Khan Shaykhun (خان شيخون), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.44208, 36.65095. 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 reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]