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

RS144

Incident date

November 12, 2015

Location

الغارية, Al Ghariya, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.39332, 36.65067 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven non-combatants were reported killed – including one child and a woman – in alleged Russian (or possibly Syrian) airstrikes and Assad ground artillery attacks on Eastern Al Ghariya.

Shaam News reported that warplanes hit a school, noting that Assad’s forces also targeted the town with artillery shells following the raids. The Syrian Network blamed Assad regime aircraft, noting that “government warplanes shelled a civilians’ gathering next to one of the water wells in western Ghareya town.”

The Violations Documentation Center has named seven victims have been named, and they also listed an unidentified adult male, but the image is the same as the one used in the listing for Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal. Additionally, VDC named another adult, male. He was listed under the name of another village, but in accompanying notes it says he was killed in East Ghariya.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Mostafa al-Faleh Al Ghaneem
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mohammad al-Saraheen
Child male killed
Mahmoud Mohammad al-Saraheen
Adult male killed
Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal
Adult male killed
Aisha Ismail Al Ghaneem
Age unknown female killed
Rifa’at Bahij Al Ghaneem
Adult male killed
Omer Ibraheem Ayyash
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ali mostafa al Gonaim
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Ghariya (الغارية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.39332, 36.65067. 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 reported carrying out strikes in Dara’a governorate between November 11th-12th 2015.

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
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Incident Code

RS142

Incident date

November 12, 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

One civilian man was reported killed when Russian warplanes allegedly launched several airstrikes using vacuum missiles. The Union of Hama Rebels later claimed there were 15 Russian raids on the town that morning.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • The video posted by Union of the revolutionaries Hama: A tour of the eastern neighbourhood of Kfar Zeita and the destruction of the Russian bombing
  • the photo published by VDC for the victim (Moheeb Arafat) from Kafer Zita as result of the strike.
  • This is another photo of (Moheeb Arafat) however - However, who posted the image said he is a terrorist fighter

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has reported carrying out strikes in Hama governorate between November 11th-12th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS139

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Location

خان طومان, Khan Tomam, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.118889, 37.051111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the VDC, one adult male civilian was killed in an alleged strike by Russian warplanes. The victim name has been published by local media activist.

A major battle appears to have taken place in the town, with the FSA reporting that one of its commanders was killed. And almost all sources blamed Russia for Mr Al A’had’s death. However Russia Today said that “Syrian warplanes launched raids on the towns of Khan Tuman and Hamima in the countryside of Aleppo.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The photo of the victim (Hani Al-Shaikh) who was killed by a Russian strike. Published by VDC

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Khan Tuman (خان طومان), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.118889, 37.051111. 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

Strikes in Aleppo governorate were confirmed by Russia in its published November 9th-11th report.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS140

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Location

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.74424, 36.70394 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets reported that one adult male civilian was killed, and several others injured in an alleged bombing by Russian warplanes. However, the VDC blamed the Assad regime for the death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets remove a body from ruins, following an alleged Russian airstrike in Al Rahiba, November 10th (via The White Helmets)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Rahiba (الرحيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.74424, 36.70394. 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

Strikes in Damascus governorate were confirmed by Russia in its published November 9th-11th report.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS141

Incident date

November 10, 2015

Location

حي الحلوانية, Tareeq al-Bab (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.207438, 37.1990204 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that one 13-year-old child was killed – and five other non-combatants injured – when Russian warplanes allegedly launched rockets on the Tareeq Al Bab neighbourhood in Aleppo. According to the Network, relief warehouses for the Muslim Youth Commission were destroyed in the raid.

The Aleppo Media Centre reported that “one civilian was killed and others were wounded after an [unspecified] air strike targeted Tareeq al Bab neighbourhood in the city of Aleppo.

The Damascus Centre for Human Rights additionally published another victim name who killed during the same incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Khaled Ibrahim
Child male killed
Tareeq al bab
Age unknown male killed following the alleged Russian air raids killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • the video published by Aleppo News shows the effects of the destruction caused by the bombing of the air traffic to the neighbourhood of the door of the door on 10-11-2015

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Strikes in Aleppo governorate were confirmed by Russia in its published November 9th-11th report: “In the Syrian province Aleppo, local inhabitants actively support the Syrian governmental troops. Thus, Near Tel Mamo, a severe battle took place between the local inhabitants and the militants of the Ahrar ash-Sham grouping. Terrorists suffered significant losses.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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

RS138

Incident date

November 10, 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 Violations Documentation Center reported one male child has a following an alleged strike by Russian warplanes. Local reporters and activists also reported that Russia had attacked the town.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Aleppo News | The effects of the destruction caused by the bombing of the air traffic to the neighbourhood of the door of the door 10-11-2015
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bassam Mohammad Al Faraj as the victim of the strike. - Published by VDC

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Strikes at Kafr Zita were confirmed by Russia in its published November 9th-11th report: “Near Kafr Zita (Hama province), a direct hit with an air bomb dropped from a Su-24M bomber destroyed a mortar battery of the Jabhat al-Nusra illegal armed group.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS137

Incident date

November 9, 2015

Location

مخيم أوبين, Ubin IDP Camp, Lattakia, Syria

Geolocation

35.800556, 36.155278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A major airstrike on an IDP camp close to the Turkish border killed up to eight civilians and injured a further ten, according to reports. While most blamed the Assad regime, JBC News claimed Russia was responsible. All said powerful Russian-made munitions were used in the attack.

The camp – home to 5,000 internally displaced Syrians – was reportedly struck by a massive 2,000lb bomb or missile. Survivor ‘Ahmed’ told Alaan TV: “While I was preparing some firewood to ward off the chill in my tent, we heard whistling, and a huge rocket exploded in the air. Hundreds of bomblets littered the camp carrying destruction and death.”

the VDC has named one victim who died by the regime strike.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abd al Aziz al Ahmad
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    the aftermath of the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • the aftermath of the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    the aftermath of the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • the aftermath of the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    one of the victim photo - after the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A photo was taken by one of the residents of the camp and given to Syria direct website.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    the aftermath of the airstrike in the camp - by JBC news
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photo of wounded kid from camp

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ubin IDP Camp (مخيم أوبين), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.800556, 36.155278. 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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Lattakia governorate: “In the course of the last three days, aircraft of the Russian air group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 137 combat sorties engaging 448 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Lattakia, Raqqah, Hama and Homs 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 – 8
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–12
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS136

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

مهين, Mahin, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.24168, 37.05843 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center reported the death of four non-combatants, including three children, following alleged shelling by Russian warplanes, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that three civilians including two children died in the strike.

VDC has published the four victims by names.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Son of Tayseer Mohammad al-Atwa al-Zarqa 1
Child male killed
Son of Tayseer Mohammad al-Atwa al-Zarqa 2
Child male killed
Son of Tayseer Mohammad al-Atwa al-Zarqa 3
Child male injured

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 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 (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Homs governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (3 children1 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 (3) [ collapse]