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

RS211

Incident date

November 29, 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

At least 37 civilians, including four children, were reported killed – and more than 72 others injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike on the market in the centre of Ariha, according to multiple reports. Amnesty International placed the death toll at 49 following an investigation.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian warplanes launched three rockets on the market, destroying more than 20 shops and 25 cars. It noted that vital facilities were targeted, and after conducting interviews with witnesses stated that: “Through careful examination of the photo and video evidence we concluded that the airstrikes had targeted a purely civilian marketplace void of any military or weapons depots neither during nor before the attack.”

Mohamad Jattal, a media activist from Ariha, was near the market and went directly to the shelling location. He told SN4HR: “The Russian warplanes launched three rockets that fell on the market. One hit a civilian gathering which turned them to body parts. We still cannot identify the victims. The rockets, possibly vacuum missiles, caused huge damage. The attack destroyed what was left of the market where 20 shops were almost completely destroyed. Most of the victims were vendors who sold their products in the market. Since the Russian warplanes started their airstrikes, the city became free of any presence of the [rebel] Al Fateh Army, so as to protect residents from the shelling. However, it seems that Russia considers civilians a target.”

Relief aid activist Omar Rihawi also described the scene for the Syrian Network: “Civil Defense teams arrived and pulled dead bodies from under the rubble and took the injured to medical points. However, the medical points could not receive all the injured people at once due to the lack of medical supplies. Russian and Syrian regime warplanes have both targeted this market.”

Mohamad Ameen, a media activist and photographer who was near the shelling location, added: “I went to the market a few minutes after the shelling and the scene was horrific. Blood, bodies and body parts were scattered all around the market. I saw a woman sitting next to her husband and children’ dead bodies. She was sobbing and calling to them. It was devastating. The number of the injured individuals reached more than 70, and we do not have the proper medical equipment to deal with this number of injuries.”

The Syrian Network named  30 victims. It also said there were six further unidentified victims. And Shaam News later reported the White Helmets recovered the body of a man under rubble, 20 days after the initial alleged airstrike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male Named by SN4HR killed
Child male Named by SN4HR killed

Family members (2)

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

The victims were named as:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    37 – 49
  • (4 children10–16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    72
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • The shelling aftermath by alleged Russian warplanes on Areeha's main market, November 29th2016. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man beside the body of a victim from the alleged Russian raid on Areeha, November 29th 2016. (via SN4HR)
  • A video that depicts aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on the main market in Areeha. (via, Maara Media Center)
  • A video that depicts the massacre’s location on the main market in Areeha city due to the alleged Russian shelling. The video shows a number of residents who appear to be survivors from the shelling. (via Ariha Today)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of deceased children who were killed due to the alleged Russian shelling on Areeha’s main market. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image that depicts a deceased man who was killed due to the alleged Russian shelling on Areeha’s main market. (via SN4HR)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image that depicts a deceased mans body who was killed due to the alleged Russian shelling on Areeha’s main market. (via SN4HR)
  • Impact location (in red) of a suspected Russian air strike on a market in Ariha on 29 November 2015. Imagery date: 23 September 2014. Coordinates: 35.813144, 36.610613 © Google Earth / DigitalGlobe.

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
    37 – 49
  • (4 children10–16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    72
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS210

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

الدانا, Al Dana, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.21252, 36.76978 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network and Aljazeera Mubashner reported that civilian relief trucks were allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in the town of Al Dana. No deaths or injuries were initially reported.

Aljazeera Mubashner’s footage is entitled: ‘Aftermath of Russian bombing after they targeted relief trucks in Al Dana in Idlib.’ An interviewed man says the targeted vehicles were relief trucks carrying food for civilians. He points to a pile of boxes saying they had contained bananas, foodstuff and relief items, and claiming there were no militants present.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Photos showing trucks struck by alleged Russian planes in the town of Al Dana in Idlib. (via SNN)
  • Trucks allegedly struck by Russian warplanes in Al Dana, November 29th (via SNN)
  • The effects of the Russian bombardment on relief trucks in the town of Dana in the countryside of Idlib. (via Aljazeera Mubasher)
  • Blazing fires in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raid which targeted a residential neighbourhood. (via, The White Helmets)

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
    0
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS209

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa (Al Thawrah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to five non-combatants were reported killed following an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the Al Makassem area in Tabaqa.

The victims were named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered. The group also posted images of homes which were allegedly targeted in the morning of November 28th.

Additionally, three individuals used their Twitter accounts to report the alleged attack, with @LccSy saying there were three strikes, killing a total of five non-combatants. @Khaled_qahtan reported destruction of the town and injuries. And @Abobakr33A  said there had been a raid “on Al Makassem area in the town of Tabaqa in western Raqqa countryside.”

The Daesh-linked agency Al A’maq published a video showing aftermath of an assault by ‘warplanes’.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of a man killed in alleged Russian airstrike on Tabaqua, November 28th 2015. (via Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered)
  • The location of the alleged Russian air raid. Struck on an area in the city where there is a striking class divide. (via @abobakr33a tweet)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is treated by a doctor. (Via Raqqa is being slaughtered silently facebook post)
  • The aftermath of the destruction. (via Raqqa is being slaughtered silently facebook post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tabaqa, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8295049, 38.5360909. 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
    5
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ 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

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

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]