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

RS793

Incident date

May 10, 2016

Location

تقاد, Taqad, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1994732, 36.871233 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple local sources, three children died when the remains of a cluster bomb – allegedly earlier dropped by Russia – exploded in the town of Taqad.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights, which also said three children died, blamed the regime for originally dropping the cluster bomb. Alarab News reported that “a loud explosion was heard due to an explosion of a bomb thrown earlier but did not explode. There were reports about martyrs and wounded.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

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 strikes between May 1st – 31st.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS826

Incident date

May 31, 2016

Location

السخنة, As Sukhnah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8848748, 38.8711739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, LCCSY, reported that nine civilians were killed in Homs – “most of them in Russian airstrikes on Sukhnah city”.

No further details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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 publicly reported any strikes between May 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS858

Incident date

June 5, 2016

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2257487, 40.3109038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Shaam News Network reported that several civilians had been killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Mohassan in Deir ez-Zor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that “warplanes” had carried out raids in the area, but neither identified them nor provided casualty figures.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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 strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS890

Incident date

June 11, 2016

Location

حي الكلاسة, Al Kalassa (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1923129, 37.1477151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including one child were killed and other civilians were injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local sources.

LCCSY and Qasioun were among sources blaming Russia for the death of a child.

According to Baladi, two civilians died and four were wounded – it also attributed the incident to Moscow.

Other sources put the death toll at two but didn’t identify the culprit of the raid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Mohamed Al-Raai
9 years years old male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]

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 strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (39) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS934

Incident date

June 24, 2016

Location

أورم الكبرى, Urma al Kubra, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1475457, 36.9448239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to a range of local media reports, between two and six civilians including up to two children and three women were killed and up to 45 civilians were injured in an airstrike on Urma al Kubra. There are conflicting statements as to whether the airstrike was conducted by the Syrian or the Russian regime.

Al-Araby reported that the Syrian regime was responsible airstrike, while Baladi, @BigSyrianRevolution, Al-majhr and Syrian News claimed that it was Russian.

Besides from the death of the non-combatants, al-Majhr News report that the airstrike “killed the military commander of the movement of Nur al-Din Al-Zanki, Colonel Mohammed Naimi, and killed the commander of a brigade supporters, Juma Ghazal, and the commander Ansar brigade, Omar Ahmad Barakat”.

The number of civilians reported injured varied, but many of the sources (such as Al-araby, Thiq News, Shabab News) reported that “dozens” were injured. However, Step News Agency said the number of wounded civilians mounted up to 45.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Aziz Barakat
55 years old male killed
Jumaa Ghazal
15 years old male (uncertainty over his combat status as al-Majhr News refers to him as combatant) killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–45
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Urma al Kubra, June 24th (via Jisrtv)
  • @1’32” Jumaa Ghazal 15 years old (Youtube by Halab Tv Today)
  • "warplanes targeted the town of Urma al Kubra and Kafr Jom with barrel bombs and cluster bombs which led to five martyrs - 2 children and three women" (via Aleppo White Helmets)
  • Smoke rises following warplane attacks on Urma Al Kubra (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "civil defence work on moving the injured following the raids on Urma al Kubra" (via Aleppo White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    "civil defence work on moving the injured following the raids on Urma al Kubra" (via Aleppo White Helmets)

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 strikes between June 1st – 31st 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 6
  • (2 children3 women1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–45
  • 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 (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS967

Incident date

July 2, 2016

Location

حي المشهد, Al Mashad (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1834027, 37.1369648 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An entire residential building in the neighbourhood of Al-Mashhad was reportedly destroyed killing four or five civilians. Both LCCSY and locals have confirmed the shelling took place on Al-Albisah Street.

Multiple sources claim there was heavy shelling and the use of missiles by Russian warplanes. All sources, including Syrian News Desk, reported the warplanes to be Russian.

Qasioun said children were killed, though didn’t specify the number.

Mujahed Abujoud put the death toll at five.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Children stand together amongst the rubble following an airstrike in Al Mashhad. 2nd July 2016. (via AMC)
  • Photographs showing the destruction following alleged aerial bombardment on Al-Mashhad (Tweet via @ShahbaPress)
  • Extensive material destruction in Al-Mashhad (Youtube via Qasioun News Agency)
  • Children stand amongst destruction caused by alleged warplanes in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.admin)
  • Two civilian children look on at the destruction in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.amin)
  • A civilian boy sits with his head in his hands amongst the rubble in Al-Mashhad (via Blog.amin)
  • The White Helmets inspect the aftermath of alleged Russian strikes on Al-Mashhad (Tweet by @Fouadhallak89)
  • Photos of material destruction and the White Helmets rescue mission at Al-Mashhad (Tweet by @ZakariaNassani)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Distressing images of children pulled from rubble (Tweet via @Mojahedaboalijod)
  • The White Helmets work with civilians to rescue victims of alleged Russian attacks on Al Mashhad (Tweet via @thiqanewsagency)
  • A civilian girl is carried away from the scene at Al Mashhad (via Smart)
  • Scenes of the alleged aerial bombardment on Al-Mashhad, Aleppo (Tweet via @ShahbaPress)
  • Extensive material damage on Al Mashhad following suspected Russian raids (Tweet via @ShehabAgency)

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 strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (1–2 children)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS999

Incident date

July 13, 2016

Location

أريحا, Ariha, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.81374, 36.60964 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Russian “vacuum missile attack” allegedly caused huge destruction in the local market of Ariha. Residential housing was reportedly also been damaged as a result of the airstrike. Many of the reports differed in the numbers given, however, it is most likely that up to 22 civilians were killed. There was only one mention of the Syrian regime, and it was not confirmed.

Al Jazeera reported more than 20 civilians were killed by four Russian warplanes. They also alleged that many of the injured were in a critical condition. Al Jazeera later went on to report that the majority of those killed were women and children. A further report by the channel, however, pointed towards the regime.

Alarabia News claimed that they were unaware whether the raids were Russian or the Syrian regime. They also reported that 11 civilians were killed, and three of them were children.

Horya News said that 14 civilians were killed, and there were more than 20 wounded. Al Kawakbi for Human Rights reported that “activists confirmed” that Russian warplanes were responsible – and that the numbers of wounded were “unspecific”.

Shaam also placed the numbers of killed at over 20 civilians. A local news source placed the number at 22, as did Halab Today.

Jisirtv also blamed Russia for the airstrike, and described the incident as a “massacre”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ahmad Rihana
Age unknown injured
Shahid Rihana
injured

Family members (2)

Mustafa Amjad Abras
Age unknown injured
Wala’a Abras
Age unknown injured

The victims were named as:

Arif Sweydani
Age unknown killed
Mustafa Bizmwi
Age unknown killed
Ratib Madi
Age unknown killed
Walid Umari
Age unknown killed
Abdulsalam Kaddad
Age unknown male killed
Ahmad Kurabi
Age unknown male killed
Kutaiba Bakir
Age unknown killed
Zakaria Sha’ar
Age unknown killed
Khaled Muhanad Trecy
Age unknown killed
Abdul-Rauf Kaddah
Age unknown male killed
Mahmod Saloh
Age unknown male killed
Abdul-rauf Amiin Kaddah
Age unknown killed
Immad Zakkaria Beik
Age unknown killed
Haitham Zakkaria Beik
Age unknown killed
Zakaria Ammar Beikr
Age unknown killed
Khaled Fahed Trecy
Age unknown killed
Aman Abdulall
Age unknown reported missing
Abdulhadi Rajab
Age unknown male injured
Majid Badawi
Age unknown injured
Majd Summak
Age unknown injured
Ghalib Bizmawi
Age unknown injured
Nidal Al-Adel
Age unknown injured
Najah Kurba
Age unknown injured
Khayreya Shitat
Age unknown injured
Eydo Bakir
Age unknown injured
Hussein Natora
Age unknown male injured
Ibtisam Zakaria Jatal
Age unknown injured
Umar Shitat
Age unknown male injured
Ammar Awad
Age unknown injured
Ahmad Kattan
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Habboush
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 22
  • (3 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • The market place in Ariha, destroyed by a Russian airstrike. 13th July 2016. (via. khaledaboayman tweet).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A man injured due to the Russian airstrikes on Ariha marketplace. 13th July 2016. (via. Al Jazeera).
  • Footage of the civil defense rescue mission in Ariha following suspected Russian vacuum missiles (Youtube by The White Helmets)
  • The Aljazeera news channel reported on scenes of a devasted Ariha market following suspected warplane attacks - the correspondent alleged more than 20 killed (Youtube via Aljazeera)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Photographs of two infants alleged killed in a "regime massacre" (Tweet by @Alresalahpress)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young man killed in alleged attacks, and scenes of destruction in Ariha - the results of a suspected Russian vacuum missile (Facebook post via Al-kawakbi for Human rights)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Local people work through the rubble, the White Helmets provide aid and medics tend to victims in Ariha (Youtube via Ariha Today)
  • A news correspondent reports from the scene in Ariha, where an alleged Russian missile killed over twenty and destroyed buildings (Youtube via Ariha)
  • Demolished buildings in Ariha market, in the city of Jericho, the results of alleged Russian missiles (Tweet by @aboaymankhaled)
  • Streets in the city of Jericho following suspected Russian aerial bombardment (Tweet by @paltimes2015)
  • The White Helmets stand in a cloud of dust at the scene in Ariha market (Tweet by @Step_Agency)
  • Local people congregate at the scene in Ariha market, where alleged Russian warplanes struck (Tweet via jisrtv)
  • A photo taken from above of a street near Ariha market where suspected Russian warplanes struck, resulting in the death of over twenty civilians (via Syriahr facebook)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Scenes of suspected Russian attacks on Ariha Market in the city of Jericho (Tweet by @syrian191124)
  • Locals gather at the place where alleged Russian missiles struck (via Syrian pc)
  • A street in the city of Jericho, where a suspected Russian missile hit causing significant human and material destruction (via LCCSY)
  • A blaze in Ariha market, city of Jericho. (via LCCSY)
  • Locals attempt to rescue victims of alleged Russian missile attack (via LCCSY)

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 strikes between July 1st – 14th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    16 – 22
  • (3 children4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    20
  • 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 (29) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1031

Incident date

July 22, 2016

Location

بني زيد, Bani Zeid, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.235135, 37.130699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman named Hasna’a Ali Danon, aged 55, was killed on July 22nd by alleged Russian and Assad regime warplanes in Bani Zeid, sources on the ground reported.

Syrian Observatory for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime for “artillery shelling” and “warplane shelling” on the neighbourhood. The reports claimed it caused destruction to buildings with no civilian casualties.

Halab News reported the named victim. Moreover, a local news source tweeted: “Russian warplanes shelled the Bani Zeid neighbourhood and Al-Atarib in the countryside of Aleppo with cluster bombs.”

Two pro-regime twitter feeds blamed both Assad regime and Russia for the raids, which reportedly included cluster bombs.

Multiple sources confirmed that attacks also took place in Al-Atareb, Bustan Al-Qaser, Castello and Handarat.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasna’a Ali Danon
55 years old female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Halab Today lists martyrs on June 22nd and says at 0’20” that Hasna Ali Danoun, 55 years old, died from Russian raids in Bani Zeid (via Halab Today)

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 strikes between July 16th – 27th 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)
  • 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 (12) [ collapse]