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

RS475

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

الحسينية, Hussainiya, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.35905, 40.15113 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine to 12 civilians including up to six women and four children were killed and ten others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Hussainiya, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that Russian aircraft launches two rockets on the town, killing nine non-combatants.

According to Deir Ezzor is Being Silently Slaughtered, Russian warplanes “bombed the house of Hussein al Faraj in the village of Husseiniya ‘Al Shahabat’ near the grain stores killing civilians.

Both the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights and the Shaam News Network put the death toll at 10 – with SOHR saying that this included six women and one child. Syrian News Desk cited local Mohamed Hussein as saying that “the Russian air force targeted areas where civilians were present in the town which led to the deaths, including members of an entire family. Dozens were wounded, some critically, including children. A number of residential houses were destroyed, with material damage to shops.”

Three unnamed children were also found.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Muhssein Al Faraj
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed
Hussein Al Faraj
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed

Family members (3)

Muri’i Hassan al Ali
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed
Son of Muri’i Hassan al Ali 1
Age unknown male named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed
Son of Muri’i Hassan al Ali 2
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed

The victims were named as:

Fardos Khalifa Al Salman
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed
Fatoom Farhan Khalaf
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is being slaughtered silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 12
  • (4–5 children4–6 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    9 – 12
  • (4–5 children4–6 women)
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS487 CS169

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

عجاجا, Ajajah, Hasakah, Syria

Geolocation

36.21419, 40.71013 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians were killed including two children, following an airstrike on the village of Ajajah. The attack was initially attributed to the Coalition. However later reports blamed the deaths on Russia.

According to the Syrian Observatory “Two children and a man were killed and others injured in bombing by warplanes believed to be from the international coalition. They targeted areas in Ajajah village, which is controlled by so called Islamic State.

The Union of Hassakah Youth also initially blamed the attack on the Coalition, though later said Russia was responsible: “At about 13:00 Russian MiGs carried out a raid on Al Mafrak road connecting the villages of Ajaja and Al Hadadiya – targeting a filtering stations for crude oil and fuel sale points with two raids five minutes apart. A Russian MIG, white in colour, flew at low altitude. The first raid coincided with regime helicopters flying south to Deir Ezzor and the second raid coincided with the return of another helicopter coming from Deir Ezzor heading north. The two raids and the helicopters flying coincided with coalition planes flying in the skies of the area.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights also blamed Russia, alleging that its warplanes launched six rockets on a civilians’ gathering point for selling crude oil. The put the death toll at nine with 15 others wounded.

Some of the victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center including one Unidentified – adult male from Raqqa. Three more civilian bodies were recovered from the scene on February 1st.

In their February 2020 civilian casualty report, the US-led Coalition assessed reports that they were responsible for civilian harm in this strike as “non-credible”, stating that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area at that time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male from Raqqa killed
Age unknown male from Raqqa killed
Adult male from Raqqa killed
Adult male named on the 29th killed
Child male named on the 29th
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Adult female reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Child male reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (1–2 children13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Fadi Hussein al Jaseem, killed in an alleged Russian raid on Ajajah, January 28th 2016. (via Union of Hassaka's Youth)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Ajajah, January 28th 2016. (via Union of Hassaka's Youth)

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown

In a report covering the period January 25th-February 1st 2016, Russia made no public mention of strikes in Al Hassakah governorate.

US-led Coalition Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US-led Coalition
  • US-led Coalition position on incident
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    No Coalition strikes were conducted in the geographical area
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None
  • MGRS coordinate
    37SFA537090
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Feb 2, 2020
  • Jan. 28, 2016, in Ajajah, Syria, via Airwars report. After a review of all available records it was assessed that no Coalition actions were conducted in the geographical area that corresponds to the report of civilian casualties. 2903/CS169 37SFA537090

Original strike reports

US-led Coalition

There were no public reports of Coalition strikes in Al Hassakah governorate on January 27th-28th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9 – 15
  • (1–2 children13 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–15
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Unknown, US-led Coalition

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS488

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

الباب, Al-Bab, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.371972, 37.51631

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were killed as a result of alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab and the surrounding area. The Syrian Network put the death toll at six – five children and a woman. Zaiton reported a much higher figure: “Local sources confirmed that 14 martyrs fell during the Russian raids with the wounding of at least 19 others. The raids focused in the streets of Zamzam and the Corniche within the city.”

The Network said that “In the eastern countryside Russian aircraft launched raids on neighborhoods of al Bab city which led to the fall of 15 dead and dozens wounded,” adding that warplanes directly targeted civilians.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 14
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–50
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    6 – 14
  • (5 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    19–50
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS489

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

كفر تخاريم, Kafr Takharim, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.1168, 36.51522 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

15 civilians including two to three women and one to three children were killed and 20 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Takharim, according to two local sources.

Activists told the Shaam News Network that more than 15 were killed and 20 wounded when Russian warplanes targeted a nearby mosque. They added that residential neighbourhoods were targeted and that members of the White Helmets worked to dig victims out from the rubble.

According to SNN, one of the victims was an unborn child killed in its mother’s womb: “Before he sees his mother, a glimmer of hope in the eye of her child who’s been in her womb for nine months, and before that his eyes opens to the dawn of life, which withheld its sun Russian treachery aircraft rays and marred its air smell of gunpowder and the sounds of shells and drums and various missiles forms and sizes died goodbye to meet his Lord.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also blamed Russia. They initially put the death toll at ten, but then reported that it had risen to at least 15, including at least three unidentified people, a woman and two of her daughters, two other citizen women and a boy under the age of 18.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (1–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child following an alleged Russian strike on Kafr Takharim, January 28th 2016. (via SNN)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An inured child following an alleged Russian raid on Kafr Takharim, 28th January 2016. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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 carrying out strikes in Idlib.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • (1–3 children2–3 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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

RS490

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

نحليا, Nahlia, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.8464, 36.6003 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that two civilians were killed and a number more wounded in alleged Russian airstrikes on Nahlia.

Radio Al Kul placed the death toll at four.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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 carrying out strikes in Idlib.

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS491

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

الجنينة, Al Jneina, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3680555, 40.1196671 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including one woman were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Jneina, according to local sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported a death toll of four, including one woman, in an attack by “suspected Russian warplanes“.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said that there had been two Russian strikes and named some of the dead, while the Violations Documentation Center named three victims killed in Russian shelling.

At least two children were reported to be among the injured. 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman2 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    4
  • (1 woman2 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS492

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

محيميدة, Mahimideh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four civilians including a child died in alleged Russian raids on Mahimideh, according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that alleged Russian raids killed several non-combatants and injured more, while Al Jisr TV claimed the casualty toll was as high as 25.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male “a vet from Al Shematiyeh town in Deir Ez-Zour governorate died February 1 2016, due to his wounds from suspected Russian warplanes missiles fired on Mehaimideh village in Deir Ez-Zour governorate in January 28.”, according to SN4HR killed
Adult female died 2 days after the incident from the wounds she recieved, according to SN4HR killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 25
  • (1 child1 woman2 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Image showing an alleged Russian strike on Mahimideh, January 28th 2016. (via Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The exact moment after the alleged raid hit Mheimidiya. (via, Deir Ezzor is being Slaughtered Silently)
  • The exact moment after the alleged raid hit Mheimidiya. (via, Deir Ezzor is being Slaughtered Silently)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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
    4 – 25
  • (1 child1 woman2 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 attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS493

Incident date

January 28, 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

There were reports of “many victims” following alleged Russian raids on Hamidiya.

No further details are available at the present time. 

 

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 (4) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]