Russian Military in Syria

Russian Military in Syria

A Russian combat aircraft at Khmeimim airbase in Syria being prepared for action. (Russian Ministry of Defence)

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Russian Military
Country
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Incident Code

RS511

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 45-year-old adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

A video report from Shaam News shows major destruction of civilian property in the town. According to the reporter “Tel Rifa’at is being exposed to a violent string of attacks. It was hit this morning with two vacuum rockets, which led to 10 civilians hit and the destruction f houses. The Russian warplanes repeated their strikes on Tel Rifa’at with another parachuted vacuum bomb which led to the destruction of an entire neighbourhood, as you can see.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zakariya Abdo al-Hajjar
45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Tall Rif'att. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory...Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

Incident Code

RS546

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Location

بعيدين, Bai'ideen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2360699, 37.1830988 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in Bai’ideen as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo.”

Syrian Press Center also put the death toll at four and blamed Russia, while Shahba Press said Russia had carried out strikes on Bai’ideen along with other locations in Aleppo.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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

RS579

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and 10 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources.

Syrian Press Center reported that Russia carried out four raids, killing one non-combatant and injuring 10 more – adding that the death toll was expected to rise due to the severity of some of the injuries. All4Syria also said Russia was responsible for the death of one non-combatant and wounding of another ten.

According to an initial report by the White Helmets “warplanes” (they did not say who they belonged to” targeted Kafr Hamra with several raids.

However, a second report by the White Helmets, appeared to blame Russia, the title of a video showing the aftermath of the attack reading: “The signs of destruction left by Russian bombardment a short while ago on the town of Kafr Hamra that led to the death of one person and the injury of five others.9/2/2016.“

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network said there had been one death from a strike, but did not specifically say that Russia carried it out.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS612

Incident date

February 15, 2016

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

Six civilians including four children and one woman were killed in airstrikes on Douma, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

According to the Shaam News Network, “Russian enemy planes launched dozens of raids on the towns of eastern Ghouta“, leading to two deaths in Douma.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that artillery shelling by the regime killed at least four non-combatants including three children and one woman.

An additional victim, one-year-old Alya Al Akhras was named by Syrian Martyrs, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati and the White Helmets.

The White Helmets published a graphic video showing the aftermath of a strike and the casualties, though they didn’t say who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ena’am Nabaki
Age unknown female Named by Zaman Masdar, mother of Saeed Khabeya killed
Ayham Reyad Al-Najjar
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Radwan Ziad Al-Najjar
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Mohammed Mahmood Al-Masri
Child male Zaman Masdar killed
Amer Al-Fustuki
Age unknown male Zaman Masdar killed
Alya Al Akhras
Child female Named by Syrian Martyrs, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati and the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman0–1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "Alya Al-Akhra, 1 year old, died due to airstrikes in Douma." (via, Yasser Al-Fawal Al-Dumati)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The body of a deceased civilian following an alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raid. (via, Syrian Revolution Network)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (4 children1 woman0–1 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS644

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One female nurse died in an alleged Russian airstrike on a hospital in Anadan, according to local sources.

According to SHRC, “Iman Layla, died after being wounded in Russian airstrikes which targeted the hospital in Anadan.”

Halab Today said the victim was a nurse, while Micro Syria reported that many civilians were injured in the strike. Both sources blamed Russia. Anadan Media and Syrian Martyrs also attributed the incident to Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iman Layla
Adult female Named by SHRC killed

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS676

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Location

خان الشيح‬, Khan al Sheikh, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.373059, 36.112682 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians died and up to 20 were injured in Khan al Sheikh according to local sources – though only one explicitly blamed Russia, with the majority of others pointing to regime shelling.

According to Qasioun, one civilian died in regime shelling. Smart, Orient and Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre blamed the regime, with Smart saying that 20 civilians were also wounded.

According to SMO, “Assad’s forces shelled the area around Khan Sheikh refugee camp, killing at least two civilians and wounding two people.”

Syrian Human Rights Committee named Zuhair Ghazi Fa’our as killed in a “bombardment”, but didn’t say who was responsible. Damascus Centre for Human Rights Studies also named him and blamed Russia for his death.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zuhair Ghazi Fa’our
Age unknown named by the Syrian Human Rights Committee killed
Bakri Al Kabiri
Age unknown named by Shaware3_Mo5ayam killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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]

  • The exact moments the alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids hit Khan al Shiekh. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously injured adult males receiving medical treatment. (via, Khan Al Sheikh Media Centre)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–20
  • 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

RS708

Incident date

March 4, 2016

Location

الحميدية, Hamidiya (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3301466, 40.1456308 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed following an alleged Russian airstrike on Hamidiya, according to several local sources. She died of her injuries two days later. One source says that a female died in a barrel bomb attack – suggesting a possible regime action.

The victim was named by the VDC as Baydaa Abdul Lateef al Sayer. DPN also named her as a victim of Russian bombing, as did Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies and The Syrian Human Rights Committee, SPC and Deir Ezzor Press.

According to JisrTV, one female was killed – but by “a barrel thrown by a helicopter” indicating a possible regime action.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Baydaa Abdul Lateef al Sayer
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 (14) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS740

Incident date

March 23, 2016

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One young adult male civilian died in an airstrike on Palmyra according to local sources, though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Qasioun reported: Palmyra City was the target this morning of intensive raids by Russian aviation, amounting to about 35 strikes, in which aircraft used cluster bombs, “causing a number of deaths and injuries and destruction of buildings and property.”

The Violations Documentation Center and Palmyra City Revolutionary Committee named 20-year-old Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem [pictured] as a victim of an alleged Russian airstrike on Palmyra.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he was killed in a strike by regime warplanes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem
20 years old male killed

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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Abdulmajeed Feisal al Qayem, 20 years old, victim of air strikes targeting Palmyra (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria for March 1st to March 30th.

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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (6) [ collapse]