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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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:

Younes Eid al-Yawer
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
Official source

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

RS039

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Location

حمورية, Hamouriya, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.52777, 36.38582 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman was reported killed in Russia’s first confirmed airstrikes in the vicinity of the Syrian capital Damascus, which struck the suburb of Hamouriya.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ameinah Shakhtout
Adult female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A female victim being pulled out from under the rubble of her home following raids on al Hamouriya a suburb of Damascus, 14th October 2015. (via, Syrian Civil Defence)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Hamouriya (حمورية), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.52777, 36.38582. 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
Official source

Russia has confirmed strikes in Damascus governorate for October 14th-15th 2015: “In the Eastern Guta region (Damascus province), a fortified fire position of Osa AA missile system, which had been captured by the militants, was destroyed by a Su-34 bomber. Strike with KAB-500 guided bomb caused elimination of concrete fortifications, which used to shelter the AA system. The air defence missile system was eliminated…

Summary

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

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:

Mohammad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Mohammad Taha al-Hussain
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
Official source

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

RS041

Incident date

October 14, 2015

Location

الزيارة, Al Zeyara, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.66215, 37.5944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights named a civilian male who was reported killed by cluster munitions following an alleged Russian airstrike on the town of Al Zeyara.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Hallajj
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing engineers dismantling the cluster bombs that hit the village of Al Zeyara, 16th October 2015. (via Liwa Al Fatah Brigade)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Zeyara (الزيارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.66215, 37.5944. 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
Official source

Russia has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate on 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…

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS044

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians were killed in a heavy airstrike on Talbiseh, according to reports.

Most attributed the attack to Russia, though at least one local report said the strike was the work of Syrian regime aircraft.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Wafaa al-Naji
Adult female killed
Faraj Omar al-Naji
Adult male killed in Teir Maala killed
Safaa al-Naji
Adult female killed
Waseem Jameil Yahya
Adult male killed
Feisal Saleh Dalleh
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Faraj Al Naji, killed in an alleged Russian and Syrian regime raid on Talbisah, 15th October 2015. (via: VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Talbisah (تلبيسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.840505, 36.72922. 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
Official source

Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS045

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

الفرحانية, Al Farhaniah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8684331, 36.7319298 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported by al Jazeera as having been killed in a Russian strike on Al Farhaniah – part of a major wave of attacks that day.

However footage of civilians transported to a local hospital described injuries from ‘artillery,’ with Homs News also reporting that regime shelling had targeted the town.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of some of the victims from Al Farhaniah village at a local hospital. The title here says the village was targeted with artillery, 15th October 2015. (via The journalist Suhaib al Ali in Homs)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Farhaniah (الفرحانية), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.8684331, 36.7319298. 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
Official source

Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS046

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

الدار الكبيره, Dar Al Kabira, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.7857347, 36.6818047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and eight civilians were reported killed in an an alleged Russian airstrike on the small town of Dar Al Kabira in Homs.

According to Smart News the event was instead a ‘friendly fire’ incident, with Russian missiles hitting a military academy.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Dar Al Kabira, for which the generic coordinates are: 34.7857347, 36.6818047. 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
Official source

Russia made no reference to strikes in Homs for October 15th-16th 2015, despite its aircraft clearly having been filmed in action in the governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS047

Incident date

October 15, 2015

Location

سابقية, Sabkiye, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.0641216, 37.1032333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A husband, wife and their three children, all boys, were reported killed in a Russian airstrike at Sabkiye, in Aleppo governorate.

This event is presently single-sourced, with few details known. More broadly, the Syrian Observatory reported a major ground battle taking place at Sabkiye on the same day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Adla Mohammad al-Jasem
Adult female killed with her husband and three children killed
husband of Adla Mohammad al-Jasem
Adult male killed with his wife and three children killed
One child of Adla Mohammad al-Jasem
Child male
One child of Adla Mohammad al-Jasem
Child male
One child of Adla Mohammad al-Jasem
Child

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 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 Sabkiye (سابقية), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.0641216, 37.1032333. 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
Official source

The Kremlin has confirmed carrying out airstrikes in Aleppo governorate for October 15th-16th 2015: “Su-24M bombers hit a two-storey building, which the ISIS militants had used as command centre (Aleppo province). As a result, the target was destroyed by a direct hit of an air bomb.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]