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

RS533

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

تلبيسة, Talbisah, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.840505, 36.72922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center named one child, Isra Rabei Yehya, age 16, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh.

Talbisa posted a video depicting her funeral, but did not say who was responsible, with the speaker in the video referring only to “manic bombing by warplanes“.

The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies listed Isra as a victim, as well as a man named Ahmed Kurdi. The Center reported that both were killed by “indiscriminate shelling” from Russian planes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

16 years old male Named by VDC killed
Ahmed Kurdi
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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]

  • Prayers are said over a civilian casualty following an alleged Russian airstrike on Talbiseh, Feb 3rd.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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

RS534

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

عندان, Anadan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.29353, 37.04466 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five adult male civilians were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Anadan, according to the Violations Documentation Center.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported missiles belonging to the Assad regime killed at least three people including two children. This could, however, be a separate incident, as no children are listed as killed in the VDC list.

Al Rawabi Media initially offered a similar account to SN4HR, reporting that three children were killed and “others” injured, but claimed this was a result of Russian – not regime – airstrikes in Anadan.

Five unidentified adult males were listed by the VDC:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

Unidentified 3 – adult, male

Unidentified 4 – adult, male

Unidentified 5 – adult, male

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (0–3 children5 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (0–3 children5 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS535

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

شتل الزيارة, Jetal Zratah, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.4223785, 37.0013604 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including one child were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jetal Zratah.

Kasstal Jendo Afrin reported “the death of two Kurdish civilians” and named the same victims, who it said were father and daughter. They died following an “aerial bombardment” launched by Russian aircraft.

Eldorar Alshamia reported that Russian warplanes targeting Jetal Zratah with “more than 10 raids” leaving several victims “including a woman.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male Named by VDC. killed
Child female Named by VDC. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child0–1 women1 man)
  • 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]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child0–1 women1 man)
  • 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

RS536

Incident date

February 3, 2016

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

As many as 11 civilians were killed and 30 injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Palmyra, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network reported that nine civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in a bombardment by Russian warplanes. It said there were several raids, mainly focused on the Al Wadi road.

The Coordinating Committee of the City of Palmyra listed ten victims allegedly killed by Russia, and said nearly 30 were wounded, five critically.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “warplanes believed to be Russian” killed at least seven. It said there was information about two other children among many injured people, and added that the death toll was expected to rise due to the severity of injuries and because some people were still missing under the rubble.

Three unidentified victims were listed by The Coordinating Committee of the city of Palmyra in addition to the victims below as:

Two unidentified martyrs [male]

An unidentified child

The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies identified a total of 11 victims killed in Palmyra, including Al Jabara, Al Tharaya (listed by the coordinated committee) and nine additional unitentified “martyrs” killed on al Wadi road. The Center cited “indiscriminate” Russian attacks.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Unidentified from Al Qadi family
Adult female killed
Unidentified from Al Qadi family
Adult female killed
Unidentified from Al Qadi family
female killed
Unidentified from Al Qadi family
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Khaled Jouma’an Al Jabara
Adult male killed
Hatem Awad Al Mahmoud Al Tharaya
Adult male killed
Nayef Hamdan Al Hadidi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an alleged raid with cluster bombs on Palmyra, Feb 3rd (via Coordinating Committee for the city of Palmyra)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 11
  • (1 child4 women3 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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

RS537

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

ام صهريج, Um Sahreej, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.3206458, 37.3420974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup for February 3rd, Shaam News Network reported that “Russian craft carried out raids on the towns of Umm Sahreej, Totah, Hajila, Al Rahjan and Sarha which led to the fall of two martyrs and several wounded.” It did not indicate in which location the two victims died, and there is currently no further information.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS538

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

حريتان, Hraytan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.287032, 37.08332 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Syrian Network for Human Rights, reported that three civilians including one woman died when “suspected Russian warplanes” fired missiles on Hraytan.

Shahed A’ayan Halab reported the deaths of 5 people and the wounding of 3 others as a result of Russian bombing in Hraytan.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (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 (2) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS532

Incident date

February 3, 2016

Location

غرناطة, Garnata, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.8937633, 36.6794443 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center reported that two adult male civilians, Ahmad al-Kurdi and Yehya al-Omar, were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Garnata. The Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies lists just al-Omar as a victim in Garnata, reporting that he was “killed by indiscriminate” Russian shelling.

In a dispatch, Al Jisr TV reported that Garnata had been under artillery fire from nearby regime-loyal villages. “But in the last two days, Garnata has been subjected to more than 70 airstrikes from Russian warplanes” that launched cluster bombs and missiles. Al Jisr reported that a woman and a child were killed and many were left wounded, including “many women and children, mostly refugees.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–1 children0–1 women2–1 men)
  • 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]

  • The aftermath of the strike on Garnata.

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (0–1 children0–1 women2–1 men)
  • 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

RS544

Incident date

February 4, 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

Five civilians were killed and 22 others injured in an airstrike on Al Kalassa, according to local sources.

The Shaam News Network alleged that Russian raids killed five in Al Kalassa, as part of “Russian aggression on different areas in Aleppo” on Thursday February 4th.

The White Helmets reported that “a vacuum missile fell on al Kalassa neighbourhood killing 5 people and injuring 22 others most of them women and children and causing great destruction in the neighbourhood“, but did not say who fired the missile.

Alhbar el Thawra, Alnateq Press and Shahba Press all said that Russian warplanes had carried out raids on Al Kalassa.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Shaam News Network shows the impact of the strieks on Al Kalassa
  • The White Helmets show a family rescued from the rubble

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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    22
  • 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]