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

RS481

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

حي الطحطوح, Al Tahtu (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3142322, 40.1628184 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Amid multiple air raids on civilian towns in Deiz ez-Zor, Russian warplanes are alleged to have killed an adult male civilian at Al Tahtu.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdallah Elaytan
Adult male named by Deir Ezzor 24 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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abdallah Elaytan, killed in an alleged Russian raid on 27th January 2016. (via, Deir Ezzor 24)

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…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS471

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten to fourteen civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, who said warplanes shelled several residential houses in Al Kourneesh street. The Shaam News Network also reported Russian raids targeting non-combatants’ homes in Al Bab, but did not provide casualty figures.

VDC named soe victims incuding 2 unidentified civilians: 
Unidentified 1
Unidentified 2

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

From Remo family 1
Child killed
From Remo family 2
Child killed
From Remo family 3
Child killed
From Remo family 4
Child killed

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al-Rifeat
Adult male killed
Ammar Mosa al-Attar
Adult male killed
Abo Hamid al-Hallab
Age unknown male killed
Mariam al-Shaikh
Adult female killed
Mrs. Asma al-Ashqar
Adult female named by Eye on the City killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 14
  • (4–5 children3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported at this time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 14
  • (4–5 children3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    35
  • 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

RS482

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

كفر لاها, Al Houla, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8943617, 36.4957666 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians including one woman and two children (a boy and a girl) were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Laha, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Observatory initially reported that five non-combatants died when “warplanes believed to be Russian which targeted places in Kafr Laha village at al-Houla.” They then reported that this had risen to six and that the death toll was expected to rise because some people were in a critical condition.

Activists told Shaam News that warplanes struck the towns of “al Houla and Deir Foul which led to the death of 3 martyrs and 40 wounded in al Houla.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fahimah Ibrahim Yousuf
50 years old killed
Samer Abdul Bari Harba
38 years old killed
Riad Alaa Ibrahim
32 years old killed
Amal Ahmed Alsayedali
13 years old killed
Mohamed Mahmoud Younis
6 years old male killed
Umm Hassan A’armoush
Age unknown displaced from Homs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41–40
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of an injured man receiving medical support following an alleged Russian raid on Al Houla, 27th January 2016. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Distressing footage of injured and deceased civilians in a chaotic medical facility following an alleged Russian raid on Al Houla, 27th January 2016. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of a seriously injured child following an alleged Russian raid on Al Houla, 27th January 2016. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Al Houla, 27th January 2016. Injured civilians shown being taken from the scene. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Footage of the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid. Some similar images can be seen as the previous source. (via, Aleppo Media Centre)

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…In the Vadi Kaddahat plain (Homs province), after the UAV confirmation of the data received from the Syrian governmental troops concerning a terrorists’ strong point, the object was engaged. Objective monitoring data registered destruction of two automobile vehicles with large-caliber machine guns and elimination of 10 militants.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    41–40
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS472

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

برلهين, Berlahin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.25381, 37.40072 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed in the village of Berlahin on 27th January 2016, according to one source. SNN reported that there were Russian bombardments in Al Bab around that time. Commenting on the incidents, they added that the death toll was likely to rise due to the severity of injuries sustained in the raids.

There are no other details at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia did not claim at this time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS483

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الرستن‬, Ar-Rastan, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.93, 36.74 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians have been named as victims of an alleged Russian airstrike on Ar-Rastan, January 27th 2016. One woman was reportedly from Jawala – other sources have claimed that the victims were all displaced peoples.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes “launched dozens of air raids targeted several areas of the northern countryside of Homs leaving many dead and wounded“. Activists told SNN that the planes targeted the cities of Talbissa and Al Rastan, killing one civilian and injuring a number of others. And the local Rastan media office reported that the strikes “resulted in one unidentified woman being martyred and the wounding of approximately ten, including children and women.” Syrian News Desk later reported than there were up to 40 injured civilians.

Multiple sources claimed that Russian warplanes used barrel bombs on the vicinity causing huge destruction to the infrastructure.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Samer Abdul Bari Harba
38 years old named by Homs Media Centre killed
Fahimah Ibrahim Youssef
50 years old named by Homs Media Centre killed
Amal Ahmed Alsayedali
13 years old female named by Homs Media Centre killed
Mohamed Mahmoud Younis
6 years old male named by Homs Media Centre killed
Alaa Ibrahim Riad
32 years old named by Homs Media Centre killed
Umm Hassan A’armoush
Age unknown named by Homs Media Centre, displaced from Homs killed
Jasem al-Khidr
Age unknown named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • The exact moments the alleged Russian raid hit Ar Rastan on 27th January 2016. (via, Ar Rastan Media Office)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child awaits medical treatment following an alleged Russian raid in Ar Rastan. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More injured children following an alleged Russian raid in Ar Rastan. (via, Homs Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A deceased man following an alleged Russian raid in Ar Rastan. (via, Homs Media Centre)

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…In the Vadi Kaddahat plain (Homs province), after the UAV confirmation of the data received from the Syrian governmental troops concerning a terrorists’ strong point, the object was engaged. Objective monitoring data registered destruction of two automobile vehicles with large-caliber machine guns and elimination of 10 militants.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–40
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS473

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

المرج, Marj, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.4941662, 36.4698029 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, the White Helmets, reported that one child, named as Hussan Murad, was killed and several other civilians injured in alleged airstrikes by Russian warplanes on the Marj area of eastern Ghouta. VDC said the boy died “Due to the regime air forces’ shelling,” while the Damascus media office described 10 strikes by unspecified warplanes.

According to the White Helmets the towns of Hazrama, Otaya and Al Mayda’ani were also targeted.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussan Murad
Child male named by the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Moments after the alleged Russian raid fell on Marj. (via, Damascus Media Centre)

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 Jabal Batra (Damascus province), a Su-24M bomber engaged a fuel station and a POL storage of the Jaysh al-Islam illegal armed grouping. The direct hit destroyed the facility.“

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)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS484

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.818256, 38.009676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, Shaam News reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jarablus.

The Network said this was part of raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Al Bab, including the villages of Berlhan, Trahil and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted.

VDC lists one unidentified civilian male as having been killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (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 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

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 – 2
  • (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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS474

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

حي الصناعة السكني, Muheet Al Sina'aa (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3223561, 40.1557589 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and the Violations Documentation Center, one man was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the industrial area in the city of Deir ez-Zor.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omer Jasem al Damouk
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
    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

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…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district…The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

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
    Russian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]