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

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]

Incident Code

RS412

Incident date

January 16, 2016

Location

فيلون, Fayloun, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.88051, 36.61254 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

12 civilians from the same family including three women and nine children were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Fayloun, according to local sources.

Activists told the Shaam News Network that nine people from the “Saiid family” were killed following Russian raids.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that 11 individuals from the same family 11 (eight children and three women) died when Russian warplanes launched several rockets on the town.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 12 non-combatants from one family (nine children and three women) were killed when “warplanes” targeted areas in Fayloun, but they did not say whether the planes belonged to Russia or the Assad regime.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (10)

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

The victims were named as:

Adult female killed
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (9 children3 women)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

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 19 2016, the Kremlin makes no mention of carrying out strikes in Idlib governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • (9 children3 women)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS446

Incident date

January 22, 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

Two women were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on the village of Al Jneina, according a a single source, Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently.

No further details are currently available.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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

In its military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS478

Incident date

January 27, 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

Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently claimed Russian planes returned and targeted a funeral procession which was being held “for the martyrs of the massacre carried out by the Russian in the village of Mhimideh a few hours ago.” Al Jisir TV also reported that the town was hit with a second wave of Russian attacks.

The Shaam News Network reported on an earlier incident that day, putting the initial death toll at 25 people, who died when Russian aircraft allegedly targeted civilian houses and popular market near the town police station with several airstrikes. 

Also see incident above.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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]

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
    Unknown
  • 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

RS511

Incident date

January 30, 2016

Location

تل رفعت, Tall Rif`at, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.472576, 37.096272 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One 45-year-old adult male civilian was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Tel Rifa’at, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

A video report from Shaam News shows major destruction of civilian property in the town. According to the reporter “Tel Rifa’at is being exposed to a violent string of attacks. It was hit this morning with two vacuum rockets, which led to 10 civilians hit and the destruction f houses. The Russian warplanes repeated their strikes on Tel Rifa’at with another parachuted vacuum bomb which led to the destruction of an entire neighbourhood, as you can see.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

45 years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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]

  • News bulletin showing the aftermath of the alleged Russian raid on Tall Rif'att. (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...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
    9
  • 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

RS546

Incident date

February 4, 2016

Location

بعيدين, Bai'ideen, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2360699, 37.1830988 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network, reported that four civilians were killed in Bai’ideen as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo.”

Syrian Press Center also put the death toll at four and blamed Russia, while Shahba Press said Russia had carried out strikes on Bai’ideen along with other locations in Aleppo.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS579

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

كفر حمرة, Kafr Hamra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.252649, 37.079115 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and 10 others injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Hamra, according to local sources.

Syrian Press Center reported that Russia carried out four raids, killing one non-combatant and injuring 10 more – adding that the death toll was expected to rise due to the severity of some of the injuries. All4Syria also said Russia was responsible for the death of one non-combatant and wounding of another ten.

According to an initial report by the White Helmetswarplanes” (they did not say who they belonged to” targeted Kafr Hamra with several raids.

However, a second report by the White Helmets, appeared to blame Russia, the title of a video showing the aftermath of the attack reading: “The signs of destruction left by Russian bombardment a short while ago on the town of Kafr Hamra that led to the death of one person and the injury of five others.9/2/2016.

In a news roundup, Shaam News Network said there had been one death from a strike, but did not specifically say that Russia carried it out.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

From February 4th – February 11th, Russia reported: “In the course of the last week, February 4-11, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 510 combat sorties engaging 1,888 terrorists’ objects in the provinces of Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Deir ez-Zor, Daraa, Homs, Hasakah and Raqqah.” It added: “Two powerful field commanders were liquidated in the Aleppo province.In the suburbs of Kalaz-Tahtani, a large illegal armed group with its commander, “Abu Maher” (“Farid Al-Misri”) was eliminated by an airstrike.The field commander “Abu Anas Al-Sham” from the Jaysh al-Sham terrorist group was liquidated in the territory of the same province.” It also said that “Russian aviation eliminated open ISIS oil storages in the Aleppo province.“

Summary

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