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

RS127

Incident date

November 7, 2015

Location

كفر جوم, Kafr Joum, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.11127, 36.95655 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were reported killed and a number injured in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory in Kafr Joum, Aleppo, according to the White Helmets and the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

The White Helmets reported that Russian warplanes had carried out several raids targeting the factory, leading to widespread destruction and a massive fire which teams from Aleppo worked to put out. The civil defence force sad the strike caused the death of several civilians working in the factory.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights did not report any deaths but said some factory employees were injured, adding that the factory had put out of service due to a fire which also burnt out several vehicles.

The factory had represented “the largest source of employment in rural Aleppo down to Idlib” according to Syria Direct, which said 13 civilian workers injured in a strike it attributed to “regime aircraft.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A member of the White Helmets attempts to put out a fire in the aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory, Aleppo, Nov 7th (via White Helmets)
  • the aftermath image of an alleged Russian airstrike on the Al Dairi fabrics factory.
  • a video shows the fire in Al - Diri Textile Factory in Aleppo, Western Aleppo

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia confirms in its report covering November 6th-9th 2015 carrying out strikes in Damascus governorate.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    13
  • 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

RS160

Incident date

November 17, 2015

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

The VDC and Aleppo Eyewitness reported that two named non-combatant men were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike in Al Bab. However, Syrian Martyrs and the Damascus Centre for Human Rights blamed the Assad regime. Other sources simply blamed ‘warplanes.’

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ammar al-Hamad
Adult male killed
Mustafa al-Reene
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Bab (الباب), for which the generic coordinates are: 36.371972, 37.51631. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reports carrying out cruise missile strikes in Aleppo governorate on November 17th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
    Unknown, Syrian Regime

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS193 CS152

Incident date

November 26, 2015

Location

الخفسة, Khafsa, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.23333, 38.01667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven civilians were killed and several injured in an alleged Russian, Assad regime or Coalition airstrikes on Al Khafasa.

According to Shaam News Network, significant damage was caused to a water purification plant in the village, after seven raids. It said the plant provided water to most of the Aleppo neighbourhoods. It was additionally claimed that “Russian planes also targeted the water pumping plant near the town of Masskana.” Radio Al Kul and the Syrian News Desk also blamed Russia.

Smart News instead described the attack as the work of the Assad regime: “Seven civilians were killed this morning, in two regime raids targeting the drinking water treatment plant in the village of Al Khafsa east of Aleppo, according to our correspondent.“

Confusing matters further, the official regime site Sana and pro-regime site Almjhar blamed the Coalition: “American planes targeted Daesh militants in al Khafsa in Aleppo yesterday which caused problems at the water plant. Work has started to repair the equipment.”

In their January 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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

CJTF–OIR Declassified Assessment and Press Release

Attached to this civilian harm incident is a provisional reconciliation of the Pentagon's declassified assessment of this civilian harm allegation, based on matching date and locational information.

The declassified documents were obtained by Azmat Khan and the New York Times through Freedom of Information requests and lawsuits filed since March 2017, and are included alongside the corresponding press release published by the Pentagon. Airwars is currently analysing the contents of each file, and will update our own assessments accordingly.

Declassified Assessment Press Release

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

Unknown
Official source

Russia reports that “On November 23-26, aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed 134 combat sorties engaging 449 objects in the Aleppo, Damascus, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

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
    37SDA116103
    Military Grid Reference System

Civilian casualty statements

US-led Coalition
  • Jan 3, 2020

  • November 26, 2015, in Khafsa, 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. 2883/CS152 37SDA116103

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • 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, Syrian Regime

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS225

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

كقر بطنا, Kafr Batnah, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.513015, 36.374424 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 16 non-combatants including 3 to 6 children were reported killed, and dozens injured, in an alleged Russian or Assad regime airstrike on Kafr Batnah according to reports by the Shaam News Network and others.

SNN said Russian warplanes launched rockets on the main square in the town. It added that the planes returned to carry out more strikes when paramedics arrived on the scene.

A graphic video posted by SNN shows a burning car, and a voice off camera said that there were six children in the vehicle.

While most sources blamed Russia, the VDC said the Assad regime was responsible for 15 deaths.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Firas Abdulhay
Child male killed
From Abdulhay Family
Child female killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Kheir Ashoush
Adult male killed
Omar Ghuzlani
Adult male killed
Muhi al-Dein Antar
Adult male killed
Muhi al-Dein Makawi
Adult male killed
Subhi Sadeih
Adult male killed
Ahmad Balour
Adult male killed
Abdulrahman Mando
Adult male killed
Ahmad Saqan
Adult male killed
Layla al-Aqad
Adult female killed
Ola Haytham Darweish
Child female killed
Mohammad Ali Tah
Adult male killed
Rafiqah Dabaan
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (3–6 children2 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (14) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A graphic video showing a burning car with children trapped inside. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child in a medical facility following a contested airstrike. (via, SNN)
  • Injured child following an airstrike in Kafr Batnah. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Some victims of a contested airstrike. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More victims of Kafr Batnah. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A young boy injured after an airstrike on his neighbourhood. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child in a medial facility in Kafr Batnah. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A victim. The image also shows the scale of damage to the local infrastructure. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim still in the rubble of a destroyed building. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More images documenting the destruction to the local infrastructure. (via, SNN)
  • A man carrying an injured child. (via, SNN)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victims of the airstrikes on 4th December 2015. (via,SNN)
  • Local civilians carrying an injured child into an ambulance. (via, SNN)
  • A local market destroyed. (via, SNN)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 16
  • (3–6 children2 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 (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS258

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult male civilians were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Fardous, according to the Violations Documentation Centre.

No additional details are presently known.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Mohammad Dabbag
Adult male One victim was ages 55 and the other 56. It is unclear as to which victim was what age. Named by VDC. killed
Waleed Masri
Adult male One victim was ages 55 and the other 56. It is unclear as to which victim was what age. Named by VDC. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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
Official source

Russia is not known to have publicly released any information relating to its airstrikes in Syria between December 9th and December 14th 2015.

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS291

Incident date

December 19, 2015

Location

العثمانية, Al Othmaniya, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

35.87819, 36.97206 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A 50-year old woman named as Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi, was killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Othmaniya.

The VDC reported that Mrs al Shadadi originally came from Zimar village, and died “due to Russian air forces shelling on Othmaniye town.“ The local Jisr TV station blamed her death and several injuries on “airstrikes with cluster bombs.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

 Mrs. Salwa Al Shahadi
50 years old female killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A news report commenting on the incident. (via, Al Jisr Satellite)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 18th-23rd, Russia reported that “In the course of five days, on December 18-23, aircraft of the Aerospace Forces in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 302 combat sorties engaging 1093 objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Homs and Deir ez-Zor provinces… In Aleppo province, a Su-34 bomber made a strike on a command centre of one of the Ahrar ash-Sham illegal armed groups uncovered by UAVs. Direct hit on the building occupied by terrorists completely destroyed the facility.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS323

Incident date

December 27, 2015

Location

تدمر, Palmyra, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.5655244, 38.2873535 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two or three civilians were killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes with cluster bombs on Palmyra, according to the Shaam News Network and the Violations Documentation Center.

The Shaam News Network reported that Russian warplanes launched 10 raids targeting the city hospital, resulting in significant damage to buildings and equipment.

They added that 10 other raids were launched on the cultural center and that large fires broke out in the orchards surrounding the city in 30 additional raids with cluster bombs.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that a young man died in raids on parts of the city but did not state who the planes belonged to.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdulrazzaq al-Saoud
Adult male killed
Naeim al-Assad
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

For December 25th-28th, Russia has reported that “In the course of three days, since December 25, the Russian aviation group has performed 164 combat sorties engaging 556 terrorists’ objects located in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Russian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS355

Incident date

January 9, 2016

Location

سراقب, Saraqib, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.864249, 36.804977 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and several others injured in an alleged Russian airstrike on Saraqib, according to the Shaam News Network.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdullah Maher Hmateesh
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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
Official source

In its report for military actions on January 11 2016, the Kremlin reports carrying out strikes in Idlib 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.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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]