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

RS144

Incident date

November 12, 2015

Location

الغارية, Al Ghariya, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.39332, 36.65067 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven non-combatants were reported killed – including one child and a woman – in alleged Russian (or possibly Syrian) airstrikes and Assad ground artillery attacks on Eastern Al Ghariya.

Shaam News reported that warplanes hit a school, noting that Assad’s forces also targeted the town with artillery shells following the raids. The Syrian Network blamed Assad regime aircraft, noting that “government warplanes shelled a civilians’ gathering next to one of the water wells in western Ghareya town.”

The Violations Documentation Center has named seven victims have been named, and they also listed an unidentified adult male, but the image is the same as the one used in the listing for Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal. Additionally, VDC named another adult, male. He was listed under the name of another village, but in accompanying notes it says he was killed in East Ghariya.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Mostafa al-Faleh Al Ghaneem
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mohammad al-Saraheen
Child male killed
Mahmoud Mohammad al-Saraheen
Adult male killed
Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal
Adult male killed
Aisha Ismail Al Ghaneem
Age unknown female killed
Rifa’at Bahij Al Ghaneem
Adult male killed
Omer Ibraheem Ayyash
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 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 (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Ali mostafa al Gonaim

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Moeti Mohammad al-Zaeal

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Ghariya (الغارية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.39332, 36.65067. 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 has reported carrying out strikes in Dara’a governorate between November 11th-12th 2015.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7
  • (1 child1 woman5 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

Incident Code

RS177

Incident date

November 20, 2015

Location

ميادين, Al Mayadeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.01982, 40.45154 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to the Violations Documentation Center one adult male civilian and one woman or girl were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Mayadeen.

Local media activist Hussein al Ahmad reported that “One of them targeted Al Quds mosque in the town which led to its destruction.” Photos show a severely damaged building.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Manhal al-Badawi
Adult male named by VDC killed
Areej al-Najem
Adult female named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (0–1 children0–1 women1 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A picture of the aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Mayadeen, Nov 20th (via Syria 24)
  • The body of a man killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mayadeen Nov 20th (via All4Syria)
  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Mayadeen, Nov 2oth (via All 4 Syria)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia reported that “On November 20, the ships of the Caspian flotilla performed launches of 18 cruise missiles against 7 targets in the Raqqah, Idlib and Aleppo provinces. All the aims were hit.” It added that “29 aircraft of long-range and bomber aviation made strikes from the zone of the Caspian Sea,” though gave no details of the areas targeted.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (0–1 children0–1 women1 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS209

Incident date

November 29, 2015

Location

الثورة‎, Tabaqa (Al Thawrah), Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.8295049, 38.5360909 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to five non-combatants were reported killed following an alleged Russian airstrike targeting the Al Makassem area in Tabaqa.

The victims were named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered. The group also posted images of homes which were allegedly targeted in the morning of November 28th.

Additionally, three individuals used their Twitter accounts to report the alleged attack, with @LccSy saying there were three strikes, killing a total of five non-combatants. @Khaled_qahtan reported destruction of the town and injuries. And @Abobakr33A  said there had been a raid “on Al Makassem area in the town of Tabaqa in western Raqqa countryside.”

The Daesh-linked agency Al A’maq published a video showing aftermath of an assault by ‘warplanes’.

The incident occured in the morning.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Al Hussay
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed
Ahmad A’jaj Al Mohammad
Adult male named by Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of a man killed in alleged Russian airstrike on Tabaqua, November 28th 2015. (via Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered)
  • The location of the alleged Russian air raid. Struck on an area in the city where there is a striking class divide. (via @abobakr33a tweet)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured child is treated by a doctor. (Via Raqqa is being slaughtered silently facebook post)
  • The aftermath of the destruction. (via Raqqa is being slaughtered silently facebook post)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tabaqa, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.8295049, 38.5360909. 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 reported that “In the course of the last week, November 26 – December 4, the Russian aircraft have performed 431 combat sorties from the Hmeymim airbase making pinpoint strikes on 1458 terrorist objects in the Aleppo, Idlib, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Deir ez-Zor and Raqqah provinces.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 men)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS242

Incident date

December 7, 2015

Location

الصالحين, Salheen (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1807607, 37.167263 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three or four civilians including a child and at least one women were reported killed – and dozens injured – in an alleged Russian airstrike in the neighbourhood of Salheen, according to Shaam News Network and the White Helmets.

The White Helmets reported that the team managed to rescue three people and transferred them to field hospitals.

Three victims were named by the Violations Documentation Centre.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Ahmad al-Hardan
Adult male killed
Ayda al-Hasan
Adult female killed
Mahmoud Bethe
2 years old male died, “due to his wounds sustained by Russian air forces shelling.” killed
Sahar Hamwi
Adult female The VDC also initially named Sahar Hamwi as a victim of the event. However her name has since been removed. killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Two year old child, Mahmoud Beshe, who died from wounds sustained a day earlier in a Turkish hospital, according to the VDC. (via, VDC)

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 its strikes in Syria between December 4th-8th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child1–2 women1 man)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS274

Incident date

December 13, 2015

Location

الصاخور, Al Sakhour (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.2179122, 37.1892357 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two adult male civilians were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Sakhour, according to the Violations Documentation Centre. Five additional victims may also have died, including a woman and girl.

Halab TV also reported at least one death from an air raid, though did not identify a perpetrator: “Warplanes launched two air strikes with guided missiles on Al Sakhour neighbourhood, which resulted in the death of one person and wounded several others.“

The pro-Assad SANA agency offered a different version of events: “In the city of Aleppo a military source in a statement to SANA said that army units carried out detailed operations on positions belonging to the terrorist organisation Al Nusra Front and other Takfiri organisations in  Alsakhur neighbourhood and Suleiman al-Halabi which resulted in “the destruction of a convoy of vehicles equipped with machine guns.”

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdul Kader al-Issa
Adult male named by the VDC killed
Abdul Kader Abo Ahmad
Adult male named by the VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Aftermath of the alleged Russian airstrike in Al Sakhour.

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 – 7
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS307

Incident date

December 24, 2015

Location

أم القرى, Um al Qura, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.3804373, 37.2295277 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One adult male civilian, Ali Al Akhras, was killed in an airstrike on Um Al Qura town, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

SN4HR reported that he died when Russian warplanes allegedly fired missiles on Um Al Qura.

The Violations Documentation Center listed him as killed “due to Russian air forces shelling” but did not state where he was killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Al Akhras
Adult male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ali Al Akhras, killed by contested Russian and Syrian Regime raids. (via, SN4HR)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

There were no published Russian reports for strikes in Syria on December 24th-25th 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 man)
  • 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

RS339

Incident date

January 2, 2016

Location

معارة الارتيق, Maarat al Arteek, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.247681, 37.053483 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians including one unnamed woman and a member of the White Helmets were killed – and 10 others injured – in alleged Russian airstrikes on Maarat al Arteek, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that a woman died when Russian warplanes targeted the town in several spatial missile strikes. They said that 10 others were injured, and while the White Helmets were attempting to assist the wounded a plane raided again, killing a member of the White Helmets.

The White Helmets reported the death of one of their team, named as Hassan Al Haj Omar and posted a video showing his funeral.

According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, he died following the raid by “suspected Russian warplanes” targeting Omar bin Al Khattah Mosque in the town. Their report said that 10 medical staff had been killed in January.

The member of the White Helmets was also named by the Violations Documentation Center as Hasan Abd Al Azeem Haj Omer.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hasan Abd Al Azeem Haj Omer
Adult male member of the White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video taken by citizen journalist in the immediate aftermath of the alleged Russian raids. (via, Citizen Journalist)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video taken by citizen journalist of a child receiving stitches in a medical facility. (via, Citizen Journalist)
  • Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Hasan Abd al-Azeem Haj Omer, killed on 2nd of January by alleged Russian raids. (via, VDC)

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 Aleppo 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
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS371

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

حيان, Hayyan, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.32417, 37.05886 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two to four civilians including one to two children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrikes on a school for boys in Hayyan, according to multiple sources.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights reported that four civilians including two children died when “suspected Russian warplanes fired several missiles near Hayan High School for Boys in Hayan town“.

The White Helmets published video footage of the aftermath of the alleged attack, which they said was carried out by “warplanes” (they did not say who they belonged to). They put the death toll at two, with others wounded.

It is not currently clear whether this is the same incident as the one listed below, also in Hayyan.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rajab Amour al-Majari
Adult male killed
Rajab Mohammad Rajab al-Majari
Child male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Footage showing the exact moments the alleged airstrike fell and the aftermath. (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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (1–2 children1 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 (11) [ collapse]