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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
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Incident Code

RS428

Incident date

January 20, 2016

Location

البيضاء, Al Bayda, Latakia, Syria

Geolocation

35.62018, 36.17117 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others injured in an airstrikes on Al Bayda, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

According to the Shaam News Network, this was the work of Russia.

Syria News Desk reported testimony from a villager, Omar Malawi: “The Russian air force targeted the AlBaydaa village with four raids. One of them hit the village mosque, killing one person and injuring others while performing the Maghrib prayer“. The source added that buildings were destroyed and fires broke out in civilian homes and cars.

The report added: “The source confirmed it was the first time that the village near the Turkish border was  bombed since the beginning of the protests in Syria, both from the Russian airline or Regime forces, pointing out that it was one of the peaceful villages that have received hundreds of displaced families from different parts of the countryside of Latakia.”

Step Agency also reported that “several” civilians died and were wounded in Russian strikes.

According to Al A’an TV, however, the regime was responsible for bombing “a mosque in Mount Turkmens” and killing a civilian. They added that artillery shells continued to fall near the border with Tiurkish villages.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

No Russian reports were published for January 21st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS462

Incident date

January 26, 2016

Location

جرجناز, Jarjanaz, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.617076, 36.783132 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and five civilians including one child and three women died in airstrikes on Jarnaz, according to local sources. Five sources alleged that Russia was responsible, but a fifth – the Violations Documentation Center – blamed the Assad regime.

Syria 2011 said that four died and a number were wounded when rockets were fired from Russian battleships, but provided no further information.

The Syrian Human Rights Committee also put the death toll at four, including three women, and blamed Russian warplanes.

Syrian News Desk said that three civilians were injured in addition to the four that died – and also attributed the attack to Russia.

Shahba Press reported that Russian airstrikes killed at least five civilians.

According to Alsouria, three non-combatants died when Russia fired vacuum missiles, which also destroyed parts of residential buildings.

However, the Violations Documentation Center named four civilians – three women and one child – as killed in regime airstrikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Mariam Hasan al-Hosain
Child female killed
Mariam Omer al-Hosain
Adult female killed
Mariam Ahmad al-Hosain
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Maha Mahdi al-Mkahta
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child3 women)
  • 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 (6) [ 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,” but makes no mention of strikes in Idlib.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1 child3 women)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS494

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

الصالحية, Al Salhiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.7133253, 40.7575607 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five non-combatants reportedly died and several others were wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike near the entrance to the the town of Al Salhiya, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS530

Incident date

February 2, 2016

Location

دير الزور, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3353632, 40.1380348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Shaam News Network reported that several civilians were killed and several more injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on neighbourhoods in Deir ez-Zor: “Russian raids were carried out on the towns of Hatla, Tahtani, Ayyash, Al Husseiniya, Al Janina, Al Hessan, Al Mheimdieh, Al Khareeta, Al Baghiliya, Al mayadeen and also on neighbourhoods in Deir Ezzor that are under IS control  which led to the fall of several martrys and wounded amongst civilians. The streets of deir ezzor have also come under artillery fire and rocket.“

Deir Ezzor 24 reported that Russian airstrikes were “mainly in the western countryside,” and claimed “the lives of several civilians and critically wounded a number of others.” The report did not cite deaths or injuries specifically in Deir ez-Zor city.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ 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 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS563

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

طابية شامية, Tabya Shameih, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2500351, 40.2948475 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between three and four children and one woman died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Tabya Shameih, according to local sources.

In a news brief, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said two victims (children) “died in suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Tabiyet Al Sham town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate eastern countryside, February 7, 2016.”

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently initially reported that two children died and three houses were destroyed “after Russian planes targeted the village with three missiles.” A second report said that three people died:  “1- the child Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an  2- the girl Russal Mohammad al Jada’an 3- the young woman Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an and there are many others in critical condition.“

According to Free Deir Ezzor radio, the “two twin sons of Mohammad Ismail Jadaan” died in a Russian strike.

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said that Russia was responsible and added that three children and another civilian had not yet been identified.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khudar Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Russal Mohammad al Jada’an
Child male Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed
Samaher Ismail Al Jada’an
Adult female Named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Step News Agency reporting Russian strikes and victims

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.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS596

Incident date

February 12, 2016

Location

الغنطو, Al Ghantu, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.82179, 36.69605 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 14 and 16 civilians died including one woman and up to four children in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Ghantu, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network reported “an appalling massacre” in Al Ghantu, which killed 16 non-combatants including members of the civil defence who rushed to the location of the first raid when a second was launched in the same place, killing more people. It added that dozens were wounded, including some in critical condition, meaning the death toll was likely to rise. Activists told SNN that “the Russian air force targeted civilian houses in the town of Al-Ghantu with high explosive missiles leading to the fall of the buildings on the residents heads“.

However, according to initial reports by the Syrian Network for Human Rights, warplanes of the Assad regime carried out the attacks, killing at least 12. It published a graphic video showing bodies on the ground and men trying to identify them. Family members then arrived to find their dead.

According to another SN4HR report, one of the dead was Osama Al Khatteib, a member of the civil defence who “died in regime warplanes shelling on Al Ghanto town causing massacre, February 12.” This victim was also named by the White Helmets.

But in a later report by SN4HR, it appeared to change position and attribute the incident to Russia: “On 12 Feb 2016 alleged Russian warplanes shelled 3 rockets on the residential neighborhoods in Al Ghanto town in Homs suburbs that is under the control of armed opposition .which killed 16 individuals including 4 children and a woman.”

The Violations Documentation Center named 14 victims as being killed by Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Taher Zakarya Sweis
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Abdullah Rabeah
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Suleiman Abdulrahman Rabeah
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Abdulrahman Rabeah
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Najeib Hajwani
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Zakarya Fayez al-KhZakarya Fayez al-Khateebateeb
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Salah Abdulhameed Othman
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mahmoud Salah Othman
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Mohammad Khaled al-Najeib
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Hassan Yahya Othman
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ali Hilal
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Ahmad Ali Hilal
Adult male Listed by VDC killed
Shadi al-Ahmad
Adult male Listed by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children1 woman13 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Bodies are covered following an alleged Russian raid on Al Ghantu, February 12th (via SN4HR)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Bodies are covered following an alleged Russian raid on Al Ghantu, February 12th (via SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (4 children1 woman13 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS628

Incident date

February 16, 2016

Location

أعزاز‎, A`zaz, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.586273, 37.04739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, from Sheikh Miskeen in Dara’a, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Aleppo, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

Syria Martrys also named the victim and blamed Russia.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Abdulhameed Shbat
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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Omar Abdulhameed Shbat, killed in an alleged Russian raid. (via VDC)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

From February 10th – February 16th, Russia reported: “On February 10-16, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 444 combat sorties engaging 1593 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hama, Latakia and Aleppo.” Additionally, it also later published a rebuttal relating to reports of casualties at Azaz and elsewhere.

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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS660

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

زملكا, Zamalka, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5261, 36.35385 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including two to three children died in airstrikes on Zamalka according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out intense strikes on the clash areas and on the towns of Douma, A’arbeen and Zamalka causing the fall of one martyr and several wounded.“

Radio Akul also said a Russian raid killed a female child, while So-ria 98 reported that there had been four Russian strikes.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed missiles fired by the regime. Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies also said the regime was responsible and named several victims, including an unidentified man.

Other sources, including Nabd Syria, Smart and Qasioun also said the regime was responsible.

A number of reports referred to raids on Zamalka but didn’t identify the warplanes responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aysha Nuh
Child female Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies, died in regime random shelling killed
Duha Ibrahim Al-Khuli
Child female Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Ali Abu Al-Qa’a Qa’a
Age unknown male Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Ahmad Abd al Rahman Al Tabhi
Age unknown male Named by Syrian Human Rights Center killed
Radwan Abdel Wahab Karnabeh
Age unknown male Named by Syrian Human Rights Center killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 (24) [ 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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 (24) [ collapse]