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

RS097

Incident date

October 30, 2015

Location

تادف, Tadeef, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.34857, 37.531501 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to ten civilians – at least two of them young children – were alleged killed following a reported Russian strike on Tadeef. Some victims were later named

However neither the Syrian Observatory, Eldorar or Radio Alkul reported civilian deaths, instead describing between 12 and 15 injuries.

Both Al Araby and Syria News also reported the involvement of Assad regime aircraft in the attack.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Male child of Ahmad Al Ghabbash
Child male killed
Mohammad Khaled Al A’wad
8 years years old male killed
Daughter of Abd Al Haleem Shbeib
Age unknown female killed
Yahiya al Dalati
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Russian MoD issued no report for the period October 28th-30th 2015. A monthly summary was issued on the evening of October 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–15
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS161

Incident date

November 17, 2015

Location

الموحسن, Muhassan, Deir Ez Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.223690, 40.324379 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six or more non-combatants, including three children, were reported killed in an alleged Russian or regime airstrike on Mohassan. There were claims the death toll may have been as high as 10.

While most sources blamed Russia, the Syrian Network later reported that “government warplanes shelled Al Mouhassan city in eastern Deir Al Zour suburbs that is under the control of ISIL which killed 9 individuals including 3 children.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Marwan Hamoud
Adult male Named by VDC killed
Son Marwan Hamoud
Child male Named by VDC killed
Nephew of Mohammad al-Sayyad 1
Child male Named by VDC killed
Nephew of Mohammad al-Sayyad 2
Child male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Muhassan (الموحسن), for which the generic coordinates are: 35.223690, 40.324379. 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 confirms carrying out airstrikes in Dayr ez Zawr on November 17th 2015: “Today, from 5.00 through 5.30 a.m. (MSK), twelve Tu-22M3 long-range bombers carried out strikes at the ISIS terrorist facilities in Raqqah and Deir-ez-Zor provinces.”

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (3 children1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1477

Incident date

October 18, 2016

Location

Al Sabha, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.2970537, 40.2363968 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and 10 civilians died and several more were wounded in airstrikes on Al Sabha town in Deir Ezzor, according to local media. The majority of sources blamed Russia for the event, though there was also an allegation against the Assad regime.

The lowest death count was given as two by LCCSY, who blamed Russia.

However, Euphrates Post – who also said that Russia was responsible – was among other sources putting the death toll at 10 civilians.

But the Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that three died in an attack by “government warplanes”.

Some other sources didn’t apportion blame. According to Deir Ezzor24, “the bombing targeted the mosque of Omar ibn al-Khattab in the village of al Sabha in the eastern suburb of Deir al-Azur, which led to the death of six civilians and damage to houses surrounding the mosque. Our correspondent said that the bombing was repeated twice; the first time there was only material damage, but on the second occasion there was a massacre”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hamada al Gadda’a
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzro 24 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 10
  • 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 (19) [ 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 October 1st – 19th 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 – 10
  • 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 (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS2604

Incident date

October 6, 2017

Location

الهزاعة, Al-Hazaa, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

34.975017, 40.496464 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and ten civilians were killed, including women and children, and “dozens” more were wounded, following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al-Hazaa, according to sources on the ground.

The incident allegedly occurred in the afternoon following Friday prayers, according to local media, and struck civilian homes and water wells.

Multiple sources reported that this was a continuation of bombardements against Al-Hazaa, one suggesting it was only “hours after the first massacre”, and other suggesting this was the fourth day in a row the vicinity was bombed. 

Sharqiya voice posted that the planes “targeted the house of “Nasser Muhammed Al Tarsh” which led to deaths and injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Daughter of Alsattam
Age unknown female killed
The sons of Nasser Al-Mahmeed
Age unknown male killed
Hussein Ali Al-Tashran
Adult male killed
Hamdeh al-Sattam
Adult female killed
Ahmad Naser al-Mhaimeed
Adult male killed
Abdulla Naser al-Mhaimeed
Adult male killed
Khalaf Naser al-Mhaimeed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • The aftermath of an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via DeirEzzor24)
  • Hussain Al Ali Al - Tashran, killed in an airstrike on Al-Hazaa, 6th October 2017. (via Gassan.alkhlief)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (2 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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

RS633

Incident date

February 17, 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

Between four and ten civilians died in alleged multiple Russian airstrikes on Al Bab, according to local sources.

Asharq Al-awsat reported that ten civilians were killed, though didn’t say who was responsible for the strikes. Dummar media office said Russian warplanes had carried out six raids but didn’t provide casualty numbers.

However, a tweet by Halab Today said there had been as many as 20 Russian strikes. According to the Syrian Observatory: “Warplanes thought to be Russian launched many raids on the Eastern side of the countryside of Aleppo including Al-Bab and Bza’a but no casualties were reported.”

Al-Arabiya noted that there had been Russian strikes in the eastern countryside of Aleppo, though they didn’t specify Al Bab, and added that no casualties had been reported. A 40-minute programme by Al Jissr Satellite TV, reported that four civilians were killed in Al Bab, allegedly in a Russian airstrike.

HNN and Syria Martrys named one victim as killed in a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Omar Juma Allowaki
Age unknown male Named by HNN and Syria Martyrs killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (0–1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Jisr TV reporting on the alleged strikes. (via, Jisir TV)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia has published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 10
  • (0–1 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 (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS3946

Incident date

July 24, 2019

Location

قرية طبيش, Tabish village, Idlib, Syria

Airwars assessment

In the evening of July 24th, 2019, alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes caused what was described as “a horrific massacre” of an entire family in the village of Tabish near the city of Khan Sheikhoun in the southern countryside of Idlib.

Local sources reported that the airstrikes struck residential houses in the village of Tabish with several raids. According to Shaam News Network, the shelling of the area repeated two times, causing extensive destruction of more than 15 houses. The source initially reported eight civilians of the same family were killed in addition to a number of missing persons, mostly children and women. In a later post, however, the source reported nine civilians were killed.

The Syrian Civil Defence wrote on Facebook: “Seven civilians were killed and 10 others were injured as a result of the targeting of the village of Tabish in the countryside of Idlib by two raids by Russian warplane with high-impact missiles on Saturday night. Our teams are still searching for missing persons from the ruins of the 15 houses destroyed.”

The Syrian Network for Human Rights wrote that “at least 7 civilians, including 3 children and a woman, killed as fixed-wing warplanes which we believe were Russian fired several missiles on Tbish village in Idlib governorate southern suburbs, on July 24, 2019.”

While initial reports reported three to nine civilian deaths, several sources, including @syrian191124, reported the names of 10 victims who were killed in the strikes, including at least three children and two women. It is unclear if the person named as
“the daughter of Ayoub Al Hassan” is a child or adult.

Additionally, Shabha Press and @SYR_REV_NEWS reported 10 injured civilians.

@anwaralnhar tweeted: “10 civilian casualties, the outcome of the targeting of the Russian occupation forces with high-explosive missiles, the Tabissh farm, north of Khan Sheikhoun, in the southern Idlib countryside.”

@z0UdP8TRY3EZAix also mentioned the use of high-explosive missiles in two airstrikes by a Russian warplane.

Nearly all sources, including SyriaTV and @OrientNews, pointed to Russia as the belligerent of the strikes. However, Al Najah News was the only source blaming the Syrian regime.

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Kassar Mustafa Al Hassan كسار مصطفى الحسن
25 years old male killed
Ayoub Kassar Al Hassan أيوب كسار الحسن
70 years old male killed
Nour Al Din Ayyub Al Hassan نور الدين أيوب الحسن
35 years old male killed
Muhammad Ayyub Al Hassan محمد أيوب الحسن طفل
Child male killed
Najah Ayoub Al Hassan نجاح أيوب الحسن
Adult female killed
Daughter of Ayoub Al Hassan بنت أيوب الحسن
Age unknown female killed
Muayad Ziyad Al Hassan مؤيد زياد الحسن
13 years old male killed
Muhammad Ziyad Al Hassan محمد زياد الحسن
6 years old male killed
Amna Al Ezzo ( زوجة الحاج رجب
70 years old female wife of Rajab Al Hassan killed

The victims were named as:

Unnamed young man from Ma’arshmarin شب من معرشمارين
28 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3–4 children2–3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Syrian Civil Defense teams at the scene after an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck Tabish on July 24th (via Syrian Civil Defense),
  • Syrian Civil Defense teams at the scene after an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck Tabish on July 24th (via Syrian Civil Defense),
  • Aftermath of an alleged Russian or Syrian airstrikes struck Tabish on July 24th (via Syrian Civil Defense),
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying an injured child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish on July 24th, 2019 (via @anwaralnhar).
  • Translation: “Search for civilians under the rubble in Tabish farm in Khan Sheikhoun countryside” (via @abuhuzaifa_).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers at the site after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish on July 24th, 2019 (via SyriaTV).
  • Translate: “Russia records a new massacre... Eight martyrs in Tabish village, and the death toll rises to 16 in Idlib” (via @abohoseen3).
  • A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer carrying an injured child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish on July 24th, 2019 (via @abohoseen3).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: “A horrific massacre committed by Russian warplanes against civilians in the village of Tabish, north of Khan Sheikhoun. This was done through two air strikes by a Russian warplane with highly explosive missiles, which caused a painful massacre against civilians, in which 10 martyrs were killed” (via @z0UdP8TRY3EZAix).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying the body of a male victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019 (via @z0UdP8TRY3EZAix).
  • Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying the body of a male victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish on July 24th, 2019 (via @z0UdP8TRY3EZAix).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A Syrian Civil Defence volunteer possibly holding a body part of a victim after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019 (via @z0UdP8TRY3EZAix).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Syrian Civil Defence volunteers carrying the body of a child after alleged Russian or Syrian regime airstrikes on the village of Tabish, Idlib governorate, on July 24th, 2019 (via @z0UdP8TRY3EZAix).

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (3–4 children2–3 women4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Syrian Regime, Russian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (41) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS184

Incident date

November 21, 2015

Location

حي طريق السد, Tareeq al Sadd, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.61119, 36.115947 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten non-combatants, including five women and four children, were killed in an airstrike on the Tareeq al Sadd (Dam Road) neighborhood in Dara’a, according to multiple reports.

The Union of Hama Rebels stated that one child, Limar Mirzo al-Teani, was killed in the alleged raid, while Shaam News Network posted a video depicting the dead bodies of a number of children. Many of those who died were from just two families.

Almost all sources blame Russia. However Assad regime aircraft were also filmed over the area that day,

Ten victims were named by the VDC (which accused by Russia)

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (9)

Rania Hussain al-Teani
Adult female named by VDC killed
Amal Hussain al-Teani
Adult female named by VDC killed
Rasha Hussain al-Teani
Adult female named by VDC killed
Nadiah Ali al-Teani
Adult female named by VDC killed
Nedaa Nayef al-Teani
Adult female named by VDC killed
Tabarak Mirzo al-Teani
Child female named by VDC killed
Limar Mirzo al-Teani
Child female named by VDC killed
Hussain Ali al-Teani–
Adult male named by VDC killed
Reemas Mairzo al-Taani
Child female a three year old girl who died “due to her wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling killed

The victims were named as:

Qassem Mohammad al-Krad
Child male named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (4 children5 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • A video showing the anger of one of the people of the city of Daraa following an airstrike on Nov 21st (via S.N.N)
  • The moment a warplane sytruck Tareeq al Sadd, Nov 21st (via S.N.N)
  • The child Limar Hussein Ta’ani (via The Union of Hama’s Rebels)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of Reemas Mairzo al Taani a three-year-old girl who died ‘due to her wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling' (via vdc)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Graphic scenes of child casualties following a strike on Tareeq al Sadd, Nov 21st (via Nabaa)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

No mention was made by Russia of strikes in Dara’a governorate for November 21st-23rd 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (4 children5 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 attackers
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS1208

Incident date

September 1, 2016

Location

Mouhimidah, Deir Ezzor, Syria

Geolocation

35.44294, 40.08619 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 10 civilians including five children died in airstrikes on Muhimidah in Deir Ezzor, according to local media – though sources were conflicted as to whether Russia or the Syrian regime were to blame.

The majority of sources, including Alamawi, Mohamaed202054, Alsharqia24 and Euphrates Post, blamed Russia, with death counts varying between seven and ten non-combatants. “Many” additional people were reportedly wounded in the attacks.

However, Eldorara and the Syrian Network for Human Rights attributed the event to the regime. SN4HR said that three children were include in the seven civilians killed.

Zaman Masdar blamed both “Russian and Syrian warplanes”.

Three victims following a strike on the house of Ahmad Al-Khalaf.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Iman Mohammed Al-Zobe
Child killed
Bilsan Al-Zobe
Child killed

Family members (3)

Hani Hamdi Khabour
killed
Rami Khabour
killed
The sister of Hani Hamdi Khabour
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (15) [ 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 September 1st – 30th 2016.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • (5 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–20
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]