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

RS040

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.510050, 36.714110 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two non-combatant males were killed in an alleged Russian strike on Tahtaya and were later named by the Violations and Documentation Centre.

Syrian regime aircraft also reportedly bombed the town the day before, killing a woman and her daughter.

However according to Qasioun – which posted a video of the attack – the event was the work of Syrian regime aircraft which used a barrel bomb and exploding gas cylinders.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Tahtaya (تحتايا‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.510050, 36.714110. 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 airstrikes in Idlib for October 14th-15th 2015: “The Russian aircraft performed 33 combat sorties from Hmeymim airbase engaging 32 ISIS infrastructural facilities in the Idlib, Hama, Damascus, Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor provinces. The flight intensity of the Russian Aerospace Forces has decreased… Near Al-Atarib, Idlib province, Su-25 attack aircraft carried out strike against underground plant manufacturing high-explosive mines. The militants produced the mines in order to plant them at the highways of the region. The detonation of the explosives caused destruction of the target.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS038

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

تل سلطان, Tall Sultan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.799040, 36.991370 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Violations Documentation Center named an adult male from the town of Tel Azzan as having been killed in a Russian airstrike on a school building in nearby Tel Sultan, which also reportedly injured two.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Adult male from Tel Azzan killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Tall Sultan (تل سلطان) , for which the generic coordinates are: 35.799040, 36.991370. 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

For October 12th-13th 2015, Russia reported a number of strikes in Idlib governorate: ” In the course of the last 24 hours, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft performed 88 combat sorties engaging 86 ISIS facilities located in the Raqqah, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo provinces.”

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS036

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least five and as many as 15 civilians were reported killed in heavy Russian airstrikes on the town of Darat Izza, according to reports.

Al Jazeera said eight members of one family were among the dead. Five of those killed were later named by the local al Kanana Hospital.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights agreed that five non-combatants had died, though blamed the strikes on Assad regime aircraft. However Russian Air Force aircraft (likely either Su-30s or Su-34s) were filmed bombing the town the previous day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Zkomo
Adult male killed
Ahmed Mohamed Tawfiq Al Jamal
Adult male killed
Alaa Mohammed Ninh
Adult male killed
Kamel Misto Homs
Adult male killed
Mohammed Abdul Qader Afasheh Al Helou
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of 'the moment Russia carried out strikes on Darat Izza'. 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Injured civilians being treated at Al Kanana hospital, 13th October 2015. (via: Darat Izza News)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • The activist @AEJkhalil tweets death toll rising to 15, 13th October 2015. (via AEJkhalil)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of the alleged Russian airstrike on Dara Ezzat, October 13th 2015 (via al Kanana Hospital)
  • Video footage showing destruction at Darat Izza and Hayyan, 13th October 2015. (via: Al Jazeera)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirmed a number of strikes in the Aleppo area in its update for October 13th-14th 2015: “Su-24 bombers performed strikes against facilities near Aleppo, where terrorists manufactured explosives and installed them in vehicles of suicide bombers. These vehicles were planned to be used in the course of terrorist attacks in the cities and towns of Syria, and against positions of the governmental forces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 15
  • (5 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS037

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Eight civilians were reported killed in a confirmed Russian airstrike at Hayyan. Images showed heavy destruction in civilian neighbourhoods, with a number of badly injured people rescued.

The nearby Hraytan Hospital was also damaged according to Syria Relief and Development: “At 6:45 a.m. this morning in Syria, three Russian missiles targeted Hraytan Hospital, one of Aleppo’s largest hospitals, operated by U.S.-based nonprofit organization Syria Relief and Development (SRD). One missile fell directly in front of the hospital, landing about 90 feet from the hospital entrance and two rockets fell behind the hospital onto a building occupied by civilians. The attack resulted in three civilian injuries, including one child and two adults.”

Seven civilian fatalities, most from one family, were later named.

A woman named as Umm Thakla was also featured in a post-strike video from the town, mourning the reported loss of her entire family.

The incident occured at 06:45:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

Mohammed Sabouh Rustom
Adult male 55 years old killed
Khadija Deeboh Sabouh Rustam
Adult female 18 years old killed
Anas Mohammed Sabouh Rustom
Child male 17 years old killed
Rawiya Muhammad Sabouh Rustam
Child female 17 years old killed
Adel Mohammed Sabouh Rustom
Child male 12 years old killed
Mansour Mohamad Rustom
Child male 9 years old killed
Mohammed bin Abdo Sabouh Rustom
Child male 4 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (5 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Victim of an alleged Russian strike at Hayyan, October 13th 2015. (via Shaam News Network)
  • Rescue operation following an alleged Russian strike at Hayyan, October 13th 2015 (via Shaam News Network)
  • Rescue operation following an alleged Russian strike at Hayyan, October 13th 2015 (via Shaam News Network)
  • Footage showing aftermath of likely Russian strike on Darat Izza and Hayyan, 13th October 2015. (via Ibrahim Omar)
  • White Helmets rescuing civilians following what SN4HR says was regime shelling on Hayyan, 13th October 2015. (via, Syrian Network for Human Rights)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirmed a strike at Hayyan for October 13th-14th 2015: “Near Hraytan, a Su-25SM made a strike against an ISIS ammunition and fuel depot. Direct hits of fragmentation air bombs completely destroyed the facilities.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • (5 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS035

Incident date

October 13, 2015

Location

تحتايا, Tahtaya, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.510050, 36.714110 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two young sisters named were reported by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in a Russian attack on Tahtaya in Idlib. A third fatality, an adult man, was later added to the list.

 

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Adult male Originally from al Latamna, killed in Khan Shaykhun killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Russian Ministry of Defence footage showing an air strike on what it says is a weapons and ammunition depot near Idlib. Published on 14th October 2015. (via Russian MOD)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Tahtaya (تحتايا‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.510050, 36.714110. 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

For October 12th-13th 2015, Russia reported a number of strikes in Idlib governorate: ” In the course of the last 24 hours, Su-34, Su-24M and Su-25SM aircraft performed 88 combat sorties engaging 86 ISIS facilities located in the Raqqah, Hama, Idlib, Latakia and Aleppo provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS034

Incident date

October 10, 2015

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamani'ah, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians from one family, including a child and two women, were reported killed after an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Tamaanah. Two people were injured. The dead were later listed by the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Local media activist Abdul Kader Al Bakri told the Network: “This time we traced a Russian radio frequency. Al Tamanaa’ town is under the control of An-Nusra Front, Ajnad Al Sham, Jund Al Aqsa, Faylaq Al Sham, and Ahrar Al Sham, however, the targeted house and its surrounding region were civilian areas that did not have any military presence in it.”

Ma’ara Media Centre also carried an eyewitness interview with an off-camera male who insisted the attack was Russian and had killed five of his close relatives: “I was in the village. I had come to see my family. I parked the car a distance away and got out. I saw my father looking up at the plane and my mother was shouting ‘get out get out the plane is going to hit us’ I told her it’s okay I’ll take you away. As I started approaching the bomb struck and it happened. My father was killed and my aunt, may God have mercy on them and my brother Mohammad and Badrieh and Abdo and Ahmad. The whole family was martyred.”

However, Smart News said the regime perpetrated the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Salah Al Shehnaa
Adult male 50 years old killed
Hind Mohamad Al Soussi
Adult female Salah's 48 year old sister killed
Mohammad Al Shehnaa
Adult male Salah's 28 year old son killed
Badreya Salah Al Shehnaa
Adult female Salah's 28 or 29 year old daughter killed
Abdo Salah Al Shehnaa
Child male Salah's 11 year old son killed
Ahmad Salah Al Shehnaa
Child male Salah's 5 year old son killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Interview with one of the survivors from the family listing the names of the victims. His father, aunt, and 4 siblings. At Tamani'ah, 10th October 2015. (via, Maara Media Centre) 10/10/2015]
  • An image shows the civil defence tending to one of the injured victims of the strike on the town, At Tamani'ah, 10th October 2016. (via SN4HR)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Tamani’ah (التمانعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.457626, 36.750314. 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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5 – 6
  • (1–2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS032

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Location

التمانعة, Al Tamana’h, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.457626, 36.750314 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in Al-Tamana’h. While the Violations Documentation Center attributed the deaths to Russian aircraft, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said they were killed as a result of actions by Syrian regime helicopters.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male originally from Khan Shaykhun, killed in al-Tamana'ah killed
Adult female originally from Khan Shaykhun, killed in al-Tamana'ah killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Tamani’ah (التمانعة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.457626, 36.750314. 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 did not publicly report any strikes in Idlib governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS033

Incident date

October 9, 2015

Location

كفرنبودة, Kafr Nbouda, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.429388, 36.49078 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A combined air assault by Russian attack helicopters – coupled with an attack by Syrian regime aircraft and ground forces – reportedly killed four civilians at Kafr Nbouda. They were later named by the Violations Documentation Center.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male 60 years old killed
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Adult female 60 years old killed
Adult male 65 years old killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing Russian raids on Kafr Nbouda, 9th October 2015.(via Baladi news)
  • Footage showing warplane raids on Kafr Nbouda. The voice over on the video says Russian but the notes below say that the two raids are now 'confirmed as regime', 9th October 2015. (via, Media Office for Northern Hama)

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 Hama governorate for October 9th-10th 2015: “In the course of the last 24 hours, the main objects for engagement were militants’ command and communication centres, ammunition depots, bases and training camps of terrorists in the Raqqah, Hamah, Damascus and Aleppo provinces.” It also reported destroying “2 command centres; an ammunition depot in the Hamah province.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (2 women2 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 (6) [ collapse]