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

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:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed
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

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

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)

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

The victims were named as:

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

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:

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

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]

Incident Code

RS503

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

حتلا, Hatla, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.34169, 40.19897 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed and three injured when the village of Hatla was allegedly targeted by Russian warplanes, according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported the death of two adult males – Bassam Al Samran and Bassel Al Samran – in a Russian raid that targeted a sweet shop “near Hilwiyat Al Badr”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS504

Incident date

January 29, 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

In a brief news report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights said that at least seven civilians including two children died when a “suspected Russian warplane” fired missiles on the village of Al Salhiya.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed
Age unknown named by 811 Syria, who it said were internally displaced persons originally from Al Joura. killed
Mohamed Alterman
Age unknown male named by 811 Syria, who it said were internally displaced persons originally from Al Joura. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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]

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
    7 – 9
  • (2 children1 woman)
  • 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

RS505

Incident date

January 29, 2016

Location

الموظفين, Al Mouwathafeen (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3316696, 40.1282287 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four non-combatants died in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mouwathafeen village, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights and others.

However Al Khabar TV reported that “three children from the Maslawi family, including two brothers, were killed by a mortar targeted the Al Mouwathafeen neighborhood.” Deir News Network also said the deaths of four civilians near the mosque were due to a mortar round.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Member of the Maslawi family 1
Child named by Al Khabar TV killed
Member of the Maslawi family 2
Child named by Al Khabar TV killed
Member of the Maslawi family 3
Child named by Al Khabar TV killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3 children)
  • 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

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.“

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3 children)
  • 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

RS506

Incident date

January 29, 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

One woman was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Hussainiya, according to Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently and others.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nahed Mohammad al Mukhlif
25 years old female wife of Hamadi Al A’bd Al Duluth killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

In its military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Long-range bomber aviation aircraft supported units of the Syrian governmental troops which defended the city of Deir ez-Zor. The airstrikes carried out by Tu-22M3 bombers from the territory of the Russian Federation jointly with tactical aviation from the Hmeymim airbase, engaged 23 important terrorists’ objects in that district. The attempt of terrorists to assault Deir ez-Zor was frustrated.“

Summary

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