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

RS153

Incident date

November 15, 2015

Location

الميسر, Myassar, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1943476, 37.2082043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed – an uncle and nephew – and two or more people injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the  Myassar neighbourhood of Aleppo.

Local media activist Hassan al Ahmad posted an image of the dead boy with the comment: “This is how Syria’s children are being killed as if their blood is cheap. A child martyr died today in al Mayssar neighbourhood in Aleppo by the treacherous Russian planes.” The boy’s image was later used in a tweet relating to civilians allegedly killed in Raqqa.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the child killed in al mayssar neighbourhood in Aleppo

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no details of its Syria airstrikes for the period November 13th-16th 2015 inclusive.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS186

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Location

حي القصيلة, Qosaileh, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19559, 37.16512 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and six non-combatants, including two or more children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Qosaileh, according to The White Helmets and the Violations Documentation Center. The Halab News Network posted a video showing the destruction of houses and other buildings, as a team of White Helmets searched for survivors.

VDC has been named four victims, and additionally, the Syrian Human Rights Committee called the fifth victim as unidentified.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Yahiya Hussein Mazik
Child male 4 years old killed
Abd al Rahman Hussein Mazik
Child male 12 years old killed
From al-Mzayek family 3
Adult male killed
From al-Mzayek family 4
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2–3 children2 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Rescuers examine scene of AN alleged Russian airstrike in Qosaileh, November 21st (via White Helmets)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Qosaileh, Nov 21st (via @Mojahedaboaljod tweet)
  • The White Helmets attend the scene of the alleged Russian airstrike on Qosaileh , Nov 21st

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia confirmed the following for November 21st-23rd 2015: “Aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed 141 combat sorties engaging 472 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah, and Deir ez-Zor.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 6
  • (2–3 children2 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS218

Incident date

December 2, 2015

Location

كفر ناصح, Kafr Nasih, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.42798, 37.11344 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 25 non-combatants including two children were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian bombing of civilian areas in the towns of Kafr Nasseh and Ihress, according to Al Khaleej Online and other sources.

A White Helmets official said the alleged strike had also targeted vehicles carrying humanitarian aid, burning 10 of them. He added that some of those wounded were in a critical condition and were taken to a field hospital between the cities of Izaz and Tal Rifa’at, while others were transferred to Turkish hospitals.

A member of the Coordinating Committees in the north of Aleppo, “Mustafa Abu al-Rashid” said: “The Russian raids targeted, the demarcation lines between the Syrian opposition and Daesh. The armed opposition managed to recover control of the village Jarez”.

Five victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center as having been killed in Aleppo “due to the Russian air forces shelling“, although it did not specify exactly where they died.

An additional two victims were listed as having died “due to the Russian air forces shelling on the road between Kafrnaseh and Ihris.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulrahman Makeih
Child male killed
Ahmad al-Shagal
Child male killed
Ahmad Mohammad Kanjo
Adult male killed
Ali Ismaeil al-Jnaid
Adult male killed
Abdullah al-Zein
Adult male killed
Abdullah al-Zein
Adult male killed
Ayman Ahmad al-Abso
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike in Aleppo, reported to have killed 25 civilians (via, Alhaleej Online)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported carrying out 431 combat sorties, including strikes in Aleppo governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 25
  • (2 children5 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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

RS251

Incident date

December 9, 2015

Location

كفر زيتة, Kafr Zita, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.37425, 36.6033 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan, was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Kafr Zita, according to the Union of Hama Rebels and the Violations Documentation Centre.

Reporting remains confused, with multiple alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Zita between December 9th and 12th which resulted in a likely total of six civilian deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan
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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Mohammad Ahmad al-Alayan, adult male, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on December 9th 2015. (via, VDC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kafr Zita (كفر زيتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.37425, 36.6033. 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

Russia has published no known record of its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS284

Incident date

December 16, 2015

Location

الناجية, Najieh, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.7894815, 36.2177181 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian male named as Shadi Samir Bakkour was reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Najieh, with two or more others injured.

The local civil defence team tweeted “One martyr, several injured from Russian airstrikes with vacuum bombs on Najiah village in Jisr el Shoughour countryside.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Najieh (الناجية), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.7894815, 36.2177181. 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

No Russian reports were published for December 16th-18th 2016.

Summary

  • 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 attacker
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS316

Incident date

December 25, 2015

Location

حلب, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.19949, 37.134479 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Islamic State-linked agency Al A’maq reported that 100 civilian trucks were destroyed in Russian airstrikes on the northern countryside – but did not give any details of casualties.

With no additional reports of such an attack for this date, this may instead relate to the December 24th event at Ihress.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS348

Incident date

January 6, 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

Up to 12 civilians including three to four children and two women were killed and dozens more injured in alleged airstrikes and an artillery bombardment on Zamalka, according to multiple sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russian or Assad regime forces were responsible for the deaths.

Shaam News initially reported that four non-combatants were killed and 20 injured – mostly women and children – in an alleged Russian airstrike. They said the aircraft targeted different district of Zamalka with vacuum missiles, leading to widespread destruction of civilian property, and added that the aerial bombardment was followed by heavy artillery shelling. A subsequent report stated that the number killed had risen to more than seven.

The White Helmets put the initial number killed at seven (but said it was likely to rise) including two children with dozens wounded. They did not say who was responsible, referring to “air raids by warplanes and artillery, heavy mortars and field artillery land – surface missiles in conjunction with the surveillance planes circling the skies.” The White Helmets added that two ambulances were hit following the bombing and that two of their own members were injured.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said four children and two women were killed – with tens of other injured (again, mostly women and children). It produced two reports. The first blamed the regime for the “aerial bombardment and shelling”, but the second said Russian warplanes killed six, including three children, and wounded dozens more.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights said Assad regime warplanes had fired several missiles near two White Helmets ambulances.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Child male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male was killed after the Russians targeted an ambulance on the road linking Hazza and Zamalka killed
Child male killed
Child female killed
Mohammad Muhiye Al Deen
Adult male the White Helmets reported that two people died one week later from injuries sustained in the strike killed
A’isha Al Baka’i
Age unknown the White Helmets reported that two people died one week later from injuries sustained in the strike killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–4 children1–2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (10) [ collapse]

  • White Helmets on the scene in the immediate aftermath of the incident. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    One of the Syrian Civil Defense ambulances which was hit in the raid. The footage shows the inside filled with blood in the aftermath of the incident. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Saleh al-Goush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Osamah Basheer al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Bashar al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Bashar al-Ghoush, killed by alleged Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Anwar Zaino, a White Helmet volunteer killed by raids on 6th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • A civilian searching in the rubble following a raid which destroyed residential buildings. (via, SNN)
  • Damaged infrastructure in the aftermath of the raid. (via, SNN)
  • Civilian homes destroyed by the raids on 6th 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 report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate: “In the course of 10 days of the year 2016, the Russian aircraft have performed 311 combat sorties engaging 1097 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor, Hasakah, Daraa, and Raqqah provinces.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 13
  • (3–4 children1–2 women9 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS380

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

سرمدا, Sarmada, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

36.18553, 36.72231 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

26 civilians including seven children and two to three women were killed – and up to 100 others injured – in airstrikes on Sarmada according to multiple sources.

Shaam News reported on three incidents on Idlib on the same day (Maarat Al Numan, Saraqib, Sarmada), and said 13 non-combatants were killed and dozens injured in two strikes by Russian warplanes in Sarmada.

Al Hall said Russian planes bombed the town with high-explosive rockets, killing 20 civilians (including women and children) and wounding dozens more, who were transferred to Turkish hospitals.

Al Khaleej put the death toll higher at 25 with nearly 100 wounded, many critically. Al Jazeera also blamed Russia (putting the number killed at 15), but the White Helmets only referred to attacks being carried out by “warplanes” and did not say who they belonged to. They said 27 civilians were killed, with 52 wounded.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights published several brief reports in which it at first said the Assad regime was responsible for killing up to 22 including seven children and three women. But in a detailed later report it stated that Russian warplanes had killed 25 people (including five children and three women) in Sarmada.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Family members (3)

Child male killed
Child female killed
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Child male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
Adult male
Adult male
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    26
  • (7 children2–3 women16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured civilian is rescued from the rubble by the White Helmets. (via, Asi News Agency)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian being pulled out of the remains of his car. (via, Salah Fojo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Abdul Salam Naser, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Mohammad Abdul Salam Naser, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hasan Mohammad Sadeq Dwaider, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abo Hanan al-Nahhab, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Abdul Rahman Waleed Abo Ras, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Hanaa Waleed Abo Ras, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad al-Hsain al-Sahl, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • Ayleen Hasan Mohammad Sadeq Dwaider, killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on 12th January 2016. (via, VDC)
  • White Helmets rescue civilian casualties and begin to clear up the rubble after an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • An image showing damage to civilian homes. (via, SNN)
  • Footage highlight the destruction to the civilians homes. (via, Salah Fojo)
  • White Helmets arriving at the scene in the aftermath of the incident. (via, The White Helmets)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured man pulled out from under some rubble. (via, Salah Fojo)
  • Footage showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid. (via, Salah Fojo)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Dozens of men work on rescuing a seriously injured man who is trapped under the rubble following an alleged Russian airstrike. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has not reported any strikes between 11-15 January.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    26
  • (7 children2–3 women16 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–100
  • 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 (27) [ collapse]