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

RS127

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

كفر جوم, Kafr Joum, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.11127, 36.95655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported killed and a number injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory in Kafr Joum, Aleppo, according to the White Helmets and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The White Helmets reported that Russian warplanes had carried out several raids targeting the factory, leading to widespread destruction and a massive fire which teams from Aleppo worked to put out. The civil defence force sad the strike caused the death of several civilians working in the factory.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights did not report any deaths but said some factory employees were injured, adding that the factory had put out of service due to a fire which also burnt out several vehicles.

The factory had represented “the largest source of employment in rural Aleppo down to Idlib” according to Syria Direct, which said 13 civilian workers injured in a strike it attributed to “regime aircraft.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A member of the White Helmets attempts to put out a fire in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory, Aleppo, Nov 7th (via White Helmets)
  • the aftermath image of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory.
  • a video shows the fire in Al - Diri Textile Factory in Aleppo, Western Aleppo

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 Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS128

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

حي خان العسل, Khan Al Assal (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.169667, 37.040255 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets reported that one woman was killed and several other civilians injured following an alleged strike by Russian planes.

The event may be linked to the previous incident between Kafr Naha and Khan al Assal. The only woman as listed by VDC as killed in an airstrike that day was Halima Abid al Sleiman, who was reported to have died either in an Assad regime or Russian action.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Halima Abid al Sleiman
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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]

  • Members of The White Helmets place a body in an ambulance, following an alleged Russian raid in Khan Al A'assal, November 7th (via The White Helmets)
  • Members of The White Helmets searching the place where an alleged Russian raid in Khan Al A'assal, November 7th (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 confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Aleppo governorate.

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 woman)
  • 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

RS126

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

سقبا وحموريه, Between Saqba and Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.523493, 36.3847445 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed including four children – and dozens of people injured – following an alleged Russian or Assad regime air raid on neighbourhoods in an area linking the towns of Saqba and Hamouriya.

The White Helmets and Radio Al Kul blamed Russia, while VDC and the Syrian Free Army said the attack was the work of Assad.

VDC published seven people who killed by names.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fadi Zuheir al Bashash
Child male killed
Imad Dirkhbani
Child male killed
Maher Abu Al Joz
Child male
Labiba Arabi
Adult female killed
Fadia Issa or Eisa
Adult female killed
Malak Hamandoush
Age unknown female killed
Khalil Subhi Aamer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The White Helmets inspect a demolished building following an alleged Russian raid on Damascus, Nov 7th (via The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of casualties following the alleged Russian raid on Douma, Nov 7th.
  • The moment a child was pulled from the rubble following the alleged Russian strike on the town of Saqba, Nov 7th.
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Sakaba, Nov 7th.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area between the neighboring towns Saqba (سقبا) and Hamouriya (حمورة). The coordinates between the two towns are: 33.523493, 36.3847445. 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 Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (4 children2 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS125

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

News media and casualty recorders reported that between 25 and 26 civilians were killed including eight children and seven women – and more than a dozen injured – in airstrikes targeting a market where people were queuing to buy heating fuel.

It remains unclear whether the Assad regime or Russian forces were responsible for the attack.

According to The White Helmets – which came to the aid of casualties – there were three raids, with more than one missile strike. Both The White Helmets and Shaam News Network reported that at least ten non-combatants were killed as a result of Russian airstrikes and predicted that the death toll would rise. Severe damage was caused by fires in several shops.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said the death toll rose to 26 and initially blamed the regime. However, following an investigation, it declared that Russia was responsible. Radio Al Kul said the city had come under attack from both Russian airstrikes and “regime bombing with rockets and heavy artillery.” But the opposition station insisted the attack on the market was the work of Russian aircraft.

The Violations Documentation Centre published 25 victims by names.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rateb Basheer al-Nisreen
Adult male killed
Mohammad Natheer al-Nisreen
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Taghreed Abdul Naser Taha
Child female killed
Mohammad Abdul Naser Taha
Child male killed

Family members (3)

Khawla Yousef Ameen
Adult female killed
Ghusoun Hasan Ameen
Adult female
Hadiye Yousef Ameen
Adult female killed

Family members (2)

Husam Yousef al-Nisreen
Child male killed
Redwan Basheer al-Nisreen
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Hana al-Sayed
Adult female killed
Rafaela Nadam
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ibraheem Arbour
Child male killed
Muhannad Subhi Khebiye
Child male killed
Mahmoud Ihsan al-Jaje
Adult male killed
Bilal Tayseer Subhiye
Child male killed
Ghaydaa Haytham Seesan
Adult female killed
Ahmad Merie Nafeest
Adult male killed
Waleed Jamal al-Sabbagh
Adult male killed
Hani Omar Hanan
Adult male killed
Aamer Omar Urabi
Adult male killed
Yaser Abdul Aziz al-Sheikh Bakri
Adult male killed
Jalapa Bakkar
Adult female killed
Fadi Nadam
Child male killed
Mohammad al-Sleek
Child male killed
Khaleel Badran
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 26
  • (8 children7 women10 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 (32) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (39) [ collapse]

  • A military air raid targeting the residential neighborhoods of Douma in eastern Al Ghouta on 7-11-2015
  • Footage of the aftermath of the strike on Douma, Nov 7th.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of burnt bodies following the str8ike on Douma, Nov 7th
  • More footage of the alleged Russian strike on Douma, Nov 7th
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More footage of the alleged Russian strike on Douma, Nov 7th
  • More footage of the alleged Russian strike on Douma, Nov 7th
  • Scenes from the aftermath of the Douma strike Nov 7th
  • Two child victims following an alleged Russian airstrike on Douma, Nov 7th
  • Debris: The air strikes hit the centre of the town of Douma in the suburbs of Damascus in Syria. Much of the area was destroyed
  • Terrifying: Syrians run for cover in a dusty street as they hear fighter jets, believed to be Russian, flying over the town of Douma today
  • Destroyed: A man gestures while people search for survivors in the rubble. At least 23 people, including women and children, were killed
  • Death: The Observatory said at least six children and seven women were among the dead and reported that the death toll could rise further
  • Damage: A Syrian man carries a woman wearing a white headscarf who was injured when the air strikes hit the town of Douma earlier today
  • Help: A Syrian boy receives first aid in the field hospital after air strikes hit a rebel-held town in the suburbs of Damascus in Syria, today
  • Burning: A dead body lies in the street as people inspect a site hit by air strikes believed to have been carried out by Russia earlier today
  • Despair: A Syrian man leans up against a pole in a field hospital following an attack believed to have been carried out by Russia
  • Pain: An injured man sits on a bed in a field hospital after air strikes, believed to have been Russian, hit the area killing at least 23 people
  • Slaughtered: The air strikes in the town of Douma, Syria today killed at least 23 people. The body of a child is pictured on the ground
  • Wounded: A man with a chunk of flesh gouged out of his left leg moaned and held his head as doctors worked on him after the air strikes
  • Fleeing: A man holds the hand of a little girl as they run through the streets following the deadly air strikes which killed at least 23 people
  • Air strikes: An observatory said at least six children and seven women were among the dead and reported that the death toll could rise
  • Attack: Syrian civil defence members carry an injured man through the streets of Douma following air strikes which killed at least 23 people
  • Killed: The body of a woman is carried on a stretcher following air strikes which a human rights monitor believes Russia is responsible for
  • Rubble: Syrian emergency personnel carry a body on a stretcher through the damaged streets of Douma following air strikes earlier today
  • Victim: Three men aid another Syrian who was injured in the air strikes in the centre of Douma today. The man appears to be unconscious
  • First aid: A man who was injured in today's air strikes in Douma, Syria, moans and holds his head as doctors work on his injured leg
  • Aid: A man who is covered in blood is carried to safety after air strikes hit the town of Douma in Syria today, killing at least 23 people
  • Injured: A man carries a little girl injured in the air strikes in the town of Douma, which were believed to have been carried out by Russia
  • Devastation: A Syrian ban runs through the streets of Douma carrying an injured child after air strikes hit the centre of the town today
  • Photos by Firas Abdullah | shows the aftermath of the two airstrikes hit Douma city.
  • Photos by Firas Abdullah | shows the aftermath of the two airstrikes hit Douma city.
  • Photos by Firas Abdullah | shows the aftermath of the two airstrikes hit Douma city.
  • Photos by Firas Abdullah | shows the aftermath of the two airstrikes hit Douma city.
  • Images that depict the shelling of the market
  • Images that depict the shelling of the market
  • Images that depict the shelling of the market

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 Damascus governorate: “Near Jebel-Mgar mountain (Damascus province), an ammunition depot with improvised unguided rockets of the ISIS illegal armed group was destroyed. This object regularly provided militants with ammunition used for constant bombardment of residential areas of Damascus.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25 – 26
  • (8 children7 women10 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 (32) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS124

Incident date

November 6, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

There was no airstrike conducted on Nov 6th; however, VDC claimed that Mostafa Assem al Arki was killed during alleged Russian air forces shelling in the village Qaryatain. Mostafa Assem al Arki’s death perhaps come after his injured due to the airstrike carried out on Nov 2nd and he died four days later.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mostafa Assem al Arki
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS121

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

البوليل, Al Buliyal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.20253, 40.37126 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center reported that one named civilian male was killed, allegedly due to “Russian airforce shelling“. VDC named the victim as Soeoud al-Thamer.

No additional information is presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Soeoud al-Thamer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 of Al Buliyal (البوليل ), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.20253, 40.37126. 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 confirmed carrying out strikes in Dayr ez Zawr governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS122

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

الكركات, Al Karkat, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.477006, 36.384919 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

However Al Khul reported that six civilians died “after Russian planes last night targeted the village of Al Karkat near the town of Kala’at al Madik in the western countryside.” And the Shaam News Network reported local activists as saying that a Russian plane had targeted the village with two vacuum missiles, which led to the deaths of non-combatants and widespread destruction of property. The activists also predicted there was likely to be an increase in the number of deaths due to the severity of some injuries, but did not state how many civilians were injured. The Syrian Observatory also blamed Russia for the attack.

Four individually unnamed children of Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad were later reported by the VDC as having been killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed
Waleed Khaled al-Ahmad family
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Age unknown

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • 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 Al Karkat (الكركات), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.477006, 36.384919. 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 confirmed carrying out strikes in Hama governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Syrian Regime

 The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four children from the same family died after alleged strikes by the regime.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (4 children)
  • 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

RS123

Incident date

November 5, 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

One nine-year-old girl was killed in an airstrike on Khan Sheikhoun – though reports were conflicted as to whether the attack was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that regime warplanes were responsible, but the VDC – who named the girl as Shatha Dawood – said she was killed by Russian strikes. Most other sources also blamed Russia.

The Assad regime had reportedly carried out strikes on the town the night before. A video also appears to show cluster munitions being dropped on Khan Sheikhoun on November 5th.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Shatha Dawood
Child female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The moment an airstrike hit Khan Sheikhoun, Nov 5th (via Syriamubasher SLN)
  • Shatha Dawood

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

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 child)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]