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

RS495

Incident date

January 28, 2016

Location

معرسته الخان, Ma'arasta Al Khan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3804885, 37.0744801 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One person was killed and three injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on civilian vehicles on the Ma’arasta al Khan road.

According to Halab Today, cluster rockets were used in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A cluster bomb on the road following an alleged Russian raid on Ma’arasta Khan. (via, Halab Today TV)

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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

RS486

Incident date

January 28, 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

Eleven civilians died including three women and seven children in alleged Russian raids on Al Ghantu, according to local sources.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that “warplanes believed to be Russian” killed 11 civilians, including three women and seven children. They said that a man and his wife and three of their children were among those killed.

The Shaam News Network put the death toll at ten, with dozens more wounded and reported “massive destruction to civilian property” as the result of alleged Russian bombing. They posted a very disturbing video depicting casualties, including bodies that had been blown to pieces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

Zakia Moussa Mansour
Child named by FreeSyria killed
Safaa Safwan Alysia
Child named by FreeSyria killed
Ali Moussa Mansour
Child named by FreeSyria killed
Aisha Lightning – Musa Mansour’s wife
Adult female named by FreeSyria killed
Moussa Ali Mansour
Age unknown named by FreeSyria killed
Mohannad Mansour Musa
Child male named by FreeSyria killed

The victims were named as:

Khansa Walid Hassan Sabri
Child named by FreeSyria killed
Fatima Ahmed Hassan Sabri
Age unknown female named by FreeSyria killed
Maya Jassim Aaffara
Child named by FreeSyria killed
Noor Alhozani (Jassim Aaffara’s wife)
Age unknown female named by FreeSyria killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (7 children3 women)
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Seriously disturbing footage of injured civilians. Warning: video shows the remains of a civilians which are so badly damaged they are unidentifiable. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The burial of deceased civilians following an alleged Russian raid on Al Ghantu. (via, Homs Media Centre)
  • The exact moment the alleged Russian raid hit Al Ghantu on 28th January 2016. (via, Media Office Gathering Rebels)

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
    10 – 11
  • (7 children3 women)
  • 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

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)

Mouayad Hamadi al-Rayash
Adult male killed
Amjad Hamadi al-Rayash
Adult male killed

Family members (2)

From al-bourahmah Family 1
Age unknown killed
From al-bourahmah Family 2
Age unknown killed

Family members (3)

From al-Hazeem Family 1
Age unknown killed
From al-Hazeem Family 2
Age unknown killed
From al-Hazeem Family 3
Age unknown killed

The victims were named as:

Son of Hussain al-Jassem
Adult male killed
Mahmoud al-Laji
Adult male from Raqqa killed
Safwan Ahmad al-Dawoud al-Harami
Age unknown male from Raqqa killed
Saleh Mohammad al-Assaf
Adult male from Raqqa killed
Fadi Hussain al-Jassem
Adult male named on the 29th killed
Mohammad Amein Adnan al-Awad
Child male named on the 29th
Mohammad Saleh Al Haj Adnan Al Awwad
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Adnan Al Jalwi Abu Farouq
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Khalaf Al Hanshouli Abu Mayyada
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Hammadi Al Warda
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Kassar Al Habboud
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Wife of Razzak Al Habboud
Adult female reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Son of Razzak Al Habboud
Child male reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Wahij Maher al Awwad
Age unknown reported as seriously injured by Hasakhn News injured
Hammoudi Hussein Al Jassem
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
Official source

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
Official source

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

RS499

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

منبج, Manbij, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.52815, 37.95495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Manbij, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

All 4 Syria also reported the death, and said the child’s family was injured in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Loay Omar Al Mafroud
3 years old named by SN4HR killed

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS500

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

قباسين, Qabasin, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.43304, 37.5671053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and 14 civilians died in alleged Russian airstrikes on Qabasein.

In a news roundup the Shaam News Network reported “Russian enemy planes carried out dozens of strikes on the towns of Al Bab, Manbej, Jarablus and the town of Qabaseen causing the fall of dozens of dead and wounded in al Bab and Qabaseen.“

Ara News placed the casualty toll far higher than the Syrian Network’s estimate of four dead, citing media activist Nasser Tlajabina of Aleppo: “The bombing of residential buildings near Rehaoui Mosque and Jabal al-Sheikh Aqeel in town of Qabasin in the countryside killed at least 14 civilians, including four children and a number of women, and injured around 50.”

VDC has named four adult male civilian victims at Qabasein that day – though attributes their deaths to ‘air force shelling’.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

son of Mohammad Mustafa al-Moso
Adult male killed
Abo Saleh
Adult male killed
Mahmoud Merie al-Selo
Adult male killed
Zaki Akram
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 14
  • (0–1 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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 (7) [ 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.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 14
  • (0–1 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20–50
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1724

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

حي القاطرجي, Al Qaterji neighbourhood, Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1995518, 37.1815538 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman died and a number of other civilians were injured in an airstrike on Aleppo’s Al Qaterji neighbourhood, according to local media. It was unclear whether Russia or the regime were to blame. There were allegations against both parties – and reports that chlorine gas had been dropped from helicopters.

According to Anapress, “Russian and Syrian warplanes intensified since raids on a number of eastern neighborhoods of Aleppo, including the Al-Qatragi neighborhood and the neighborhood of ِAl Myasar and the Jisr Al Hajj neighbourhood, causing huge destruction of property and wounding a number of civilians.” The source went on to say that “heavy military machine guns targeted areas in Al-Qatraji neighbourhood”, leading to the death of a woman and injury of other non-combatants.

Micro News and @Newsofiraq said that chlorine gas had been used.

@yrose88 tweeted an image of “a parachute rocket thrown at the neighborhood of Al Qatraji”, but added that it did not explode.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 'Pictures .. A parachute rocket thrown at the neighborhood of Al Qatraji, besieged in Aleppo # did not explode.'

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has not reported any specific strikes between November 1st – 30th 2016.

On 6 January 2017, Russia, however, reported: “Since November 8, 2016, the aircraft carrier group of the Northern Fleet consisting of the heavy aircraft carrying cruiser Admiral Kuznetsov, the heavy nuclear missile cruiser Pyotr Velikiy, the large ASW ship Severomorsk, as well as auxiliary vessels of the Black Sea Fleet, has been fulfilling counterterrorist missions on the territory of Syria”, adding that ”in the course of two months of their participation in the combat actions, naval aviation pilots have carried out 420 combat sorties, 117 of them were night ones.”

Additionally, Russia reported that its air forces have carried out strikes in Aleppo during November and December 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
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS501

Incident date

January 29, 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 civilians including seven young brothers and sisters died in an alleged Russian strike on al-Bab.

In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes allegedly carried out dozens of strikes on the towns on Al Bab, Manbij, Jarablus and Qabasein, leading to “dozens of dead and wounded in Al Bab and Qabaseen.“

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that “alleged Russian warplanes shelled several houses that surround Jabal Sheikh Akeel in Al Bab city in Aleppo suburbs“, adding that nine civilians died from one family, including six children and three women. Halab Today reported 14 deaths, while All 4 Syria said 15 civilians had died.

VDC has named the following 10 fatalities, all of whom it said died “Due to Russian air forces shelling of the town”.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Asinat Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Omar Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Omran Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Sara Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Shaymaa Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Nour Haj Abdo
Child female killed
Muhannad Haj Abdo
Child male killed
Bushra Haj Abdo
Adult female killed
Muna al-Waki
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Zanoub Kannas
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 15
  • (7 children3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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
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
    10 – 15
  • (7 children3–4 women)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12
  • 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

RS502

Incident date

January 29, 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

According to the Shaam News Network, Russian forces targeted the town of Azaz with two ballistic missiles, causing the death of one civilian and injury of several others.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently published an image of a young man, who came from Raqqa and was said to have died in bombing. The source does not say which day the incident occurred nor who was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Amin al Kamishli
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohammad Amin al Kamishli, killed in an alleged strike on Azaz, 29th January 2016. (via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]