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

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]

Incident Code

RS119

Incident date

November 5, 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

An adult male civilian Abd al-Kareem al-Alawi (also known as Abo Moseab) was named as killed after an alleged strike on Qaryatain by Russian warplanes.

According to Radio Al Kul, Mr al-Alawi was one of two civilians who died: “The two martyrs are displaced from the neighbouring town of Maheen.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Kareem al-Alawi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

Russia has confirmed carrying out strikes in Homs governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015: “Near Tadmor (Homs province), a Su-24M eliminated a large fortified area of ISIS militants as well as a tank, an AA system ZU-23 and a mortar battery on their combat positions.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS120

Incident date

November 5, 2015

Location

البوكمال, Al Bukamal, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.4561111, 40.9190941 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that 71 civilians including nine or more children killed – and more than 100 people injured – when alleged Russian warplanes launched two airstrikes on the market in Al Bukamal. It added that more than 20 shops were destroyed and that a mosque, park and school were damaged while an ambulance burned.

The Violations Documentation Center put the death toll at least 48, including one woman and 11 children.

Deir Ezzor 24 insisted none of those killed has linked to so-called Islamic State: “At exactly 10:20 in the morning Russian aircraft launched two raids in a row on the perimeter of the Martyrs Park, where the first strike (using two missiles) left some casualties. Five minutes after the first raid, when paramedics and residents had gathered, the warplanes launched a second raid targeting the same place with the aim of causing a higher number of civilian casualties.”

VDC has named some 40 victims.

The Syrian Network has named 22 additional victims.

Additionally, VCD lists eight unidentified victims including four female adults and four male children.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mothana al-Hasib
adult, male (or child according to SN4HR) killed
Hamid al-Hasib
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Mohammad Hani al-Hamid
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hani al-Hamid
male killed

Family members (7)

Wife of Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Adult female killed
Ahmad Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Child male killed
Anas Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Child male killed
Hareth Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Child male killed
Younes Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Adult male killed
Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Adult male
Ibraheem Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Shaker Hamid Shaker al-Batleh
Adult male killed
Ahmad Hamid Shaker al-Batleh
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Ahmad Hashem al-Rafeeq al-Bargash
Adult male killed
Tareef Turky al-Bargash
Adult male killed
Bassam al-Bargash
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Son of Hamed al-Hamad
Adult male
Son of Hamed al-Hamad
male

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Hamid Shaker al-Batleh
Adult male killed
Ahmad al-Mdare
Adult male killed
Habib Jomea al-Rwai
Age unknown male adult or child according to SN4HR killed
Adnan al-Abd al-Amir
Adult male killed
Farhan Ali al-Gdaib
Adult male killed
Raed Anwar al-Haj Asi “al-Bargash”
Adult male killed
Mohammad Walid al-Gozeh
Adult male killed
Haseeb Haj Ahmad
Adult male killed
Son of Hakoum al-Salman
Child male killed
Iyad Kasra al-Knyaiher
Adult male killed
Son of Jamal al-Haj Ali
Age unknown male killed
Mahmoud Bassam al-Sharif
Adult male killed
Yasin Abdullah al-Kasheer
Adult male killed
Son of Abdullah al-Gafian
Adult male killed
Son of Malis al-Naye
Adult male killed
Zeeb Hosain al-Basheer
Adult male killed
Hamoud Mustafa al-Kabe
Adult male killed
Khaled Mohammad Anwar al-Bargash
Adult male killed
Mohammad Walid Again
Adult male killed
Abdulraheem Moeaz Hakoum al-Debs
Adult male killed
Maddah Naser al-Hodhod
Adult male killed
Yasin al-Eifan
Adult male killed
Mohammad Walid Al Za’ein (Al Jouza)
Adult male killed
Madah Nasser Al Hudhud
Age unknown
Mahmoud Al Snais’s son
Age unknown
Yassine Abdullah Al Aifan
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Jasem Al Maraa Al Ashaab
Age unknown male killed
Khalaf Rafea Al Aifa
Age unknown killed
Al Mraihi’s son
Age unknown killed
Hani Hameid Al Batleh’s son
Age unknown killed
Hani Hameid Al Batleh’s cousin
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Al Barghash’s son
Age unknown killed
Shash Al Karbouli
Age unknown killed
Mohammad Asaad Ayed Al Mattroud
Age unknown male
Hamad Samer Al Hamad
Age unknown
Al Haji Ibn Mattbalji
Adult male killed
Al Akhras Ibn Mattbalji
Age unknown killed
Ziad Al Khaleifa’s son
Age unknown male killed
Su’od Khuder Al Thamer
Age unknown killed
Omar Al Homsi
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Al Daheim
Age unknown male killed
Khaled Ibrahim Al Bakheit
Age unknown male killed
Sa’ad Al Eid’s son
Age unknown killed
Adel Al Dagher’s sons
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48 – 71
  • (9–11 children1–4 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The remains of an ambulance, following alleged shelling by Russian warplanes, published by a media agency that belongs to ISIL
  • Footage showing the moment a strike hit Al Bukamal, Nov 5th (via derrevolutio11)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A dead child following the raid in Al Bukamal
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

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 Dayr ez Zawr governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015: “Near Al-Muhasan (Deir ez-Zor province), a Su-34 bomber performed strike against terrorist training camp of the Jabhat al-Nusra. Terrorist training infrastructure, installations and constructions used by terrorists for keeping explosive devices were completely destroyed by direct hits of guided air bombs.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    48 – 71
  • (9–11 children1–4 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS118

Incident date

November 4, 2015

Location

بنسن, Banin, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.71158, 36.64075 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Banin village, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

No further details are known at the present time.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Banin (بنسن), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.71158, 36.64075. 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 Idlib governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS116

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

الأنصاري, Al Ansari (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1529125, 37.075864 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A vacuum missile, allegedly fired by Russian warplanes killed eleven non-combatants and injured about 20 in the Ansari neighbourhood of Aleppo, according to reports. Several homes have destroyed. Four of those killed were brothers and sisters from one family, who died alongside their father.

The raid was one of several in neighbourhoods of Aleppo, including an alleged Russian vacuum missile strike on Bustan Al Qasar (see above) and an attack on Al Mashhad (see above).

The VDC and Syrian Network have named 11 named that killed in Ansari.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Sundus Abdul Qader Barkat
Child female 3 years old killed
Ismael Sheikh Mohammad
Age unknown male killed
Mustafa Al Hafyan
Age unknown male killed
Salem Kadro
Child male 15 years old killed
Abdi Kadro
Child 14 years old killed
Ghroud Kadro
Child 8 years old killed
Khaled Kadro
Child 11 years old killed
Mohammad Salem Kadro
Age unknown male killed
Abdul Malek Dunia
Age unknown male killed
Ismael Al Sheikh Yousef
Age unknown male killed
Mohammad Al Bab
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Devastation wrought by alleged Russian strikes on a neighbourhood in Aleppo, November 3rd (via Civil Defence Administration in Free Aleppo)
  • Aftermath of alleged shelling by alleged Russian warplanes of the neighbourhood of Ansari, Aleppo, November 3rd

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 Aleppo governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    11
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS117

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

الرقة‎, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.949949, 39.007363 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 34 civilians were reported killed including a woman and a child, and 50 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes, according to multiple sources.

Al A’maq [close to Daesh] claimed there were 26 strikes by Russian warplanes which caused 10 deaths, including two women. They claimed that the city’s general hospital was targeted, along with old and new bridges south of the city. At noon, planes continued bombarding the old bridge and a park adjacent to the al Fardous mosque, as well as residential areas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported heavy casualties: 42 deaths, of which 27 were civilians including a woman. It claimed 15 of these 42 deaths were so-called Islamic State fighters.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, 32 civilians were killed, including one child and one woman. They put the number injured at no less than 50.

30 victims have been named by the Syrian Network for Human Rights as

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mustafa Abdul Satar Al Hilal
Age unknown male killed
Basam Aliwi (Al Fara)
Age unknown male killed
Basam Aliwi’s wife
Adult female Aliwi’s wife killed
Faisal Mohammad Al Satttam
Age unknown killed
Abdullah Al Mahmoud
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Jana’an
Age unknown male killed
Fasel Haji Al Hilal
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Al Sarawi
Age unknown male killed
Turkey Al Eisa
Age unknown male killed
Yasser Turkey Al Eisa
Age unknown child (or adult according to VDC) killed
Khalaf Al Atrouz
Age unknown male killed
Abood Hasan Al Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Wesam Al Musa
Age unknown male killed
Raed Al Shaher
Age unknown male killed
Jaber Ibrahim
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Mazeed /Al Kasrat
Age unknown male killed
Abd Al Kana’an
Age unknown male killed
Wesam Ismael
Age unknown male killed
Abood Hasan Al Darwish
Age unknown male killed
Abd Ahmad Al Mazeed
Age unknown male killed
Jaber Ibrahim Khalil Al Kraiban
Age unknown male killed
Rami Ismael Al Shaher
Age unknown male killed
Faisel Al Eisawi Abu Fahed
Age unknown killed
Abar Al Dali
Age unknown killed
Ali Ahmad Al Ramo
Age unknown killed
Ibrahim Rashed Al Askar
Age unknown Deir Ez-Zour –Hasarat village killed
Hussein
Age unknown A young man called killed
Hasan Ahmad Al Hwaidi
Age unknown killed
Faisel Ahmad Al Hwaidi
Age unknown killed
Fadl Haji al-Hlal
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 34
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently named one of the victims on their Facebook page as "Hussein" (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently0
  • Large destruction at the Skik Mosque in the southern suburb of Idlib after being bombed by alleged Russian-Russian planes

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 Raqqah governorate between November 3rd-5th 2015: “Near Raqqah, Su-34 bombers carried out strikes against two fortified strong points of militants located at the approaches to the city. Direct hits of air bombs destroyed fortified installations of terrorists as well as four automobile and armored vehicles.“

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    27 – 34
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS114

Incident date

November 3, 2015

Location

حي بستان القصر, Bustan al Qasr (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19569, 37.14229 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources that claimed the death of between six and eight civilians including three children and injury of 12 more in an alleged Russian airstrike on Bustan al Qasr.

Several houses were also reportedly destroyed.

VDC released the names of 8 people that killed, including three children as result of the strike.

Additionally, the Violations Documentation Center reported that an adult male, named as Mostafa Assem al-Arki, was killed after an alleged strike by Russian warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad al-Bab
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Dahrouj
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Fares Qonbori
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Marwa Hasan
Child female Warplane shellinga killed
Amer Hasan
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mohammad Zaerour
Child male Warplane shellinga killed
Mahmoud Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Omer Hawout
Adult male Warplane shellinga killed
Mostafa Assem al-Arki,
Adult male

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath destruction caused by the alleged bombing of Russian air strike to the neighbourhood of Bustan Al-Qasr 3-11-2015
  • the photo shows the destruction left by Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.
  • The photo shows the destruction left by alleged Russian planes on Bustan al Qasr and Al Mashhad neighbourhoods in Aleppo.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirms carrying out strikes in Homs governorate in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015: “Near Mahin (Homs province), the aviation carried out a strike against a large-sized weapon and ammunition depot of the Jabhat al-Nusra grouping. Militants stored small arms, large-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers, and ammunition in two hangars. These weapons were reserved for militants arrived in Syria from abroad. It is to be mentioned that the information on this object was obtained from representatives of the Syrian opposition. Objective monitoring data confirmed complete destruction of the depots and their contents after the hit of the Russian aviation.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (3–4 children1 woman6 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]