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)

Belligerent
Russian Military
Country
Syria
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
1848 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

RS452

Incident date

January 23, 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

Six civilians including one woman and her five children were killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Al Bab, according to local sources.

In a news roundup, the Shaam News Network reported that “Russian enemy planes carried out raids on Al Bab, the town of Baza’aa, the village of Qasr al Buraij, and a farm near the town of Kabassin, which led to the fall of many martyrs and the wounded.“

The Syrian Network for Human Rights said that one woman and her five children died when “suspected” Russian warplanes fired missiles fired on a farm near Al Bab city.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 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 (5) [ 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 military report published on 25th January, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last three days, January 22-24, aircraft of the Russian aviation group in the Syrian Arab Republic performed 169 combat sorties engaging 484 objects of terrorists’ infrastructure…crews of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed 18 combat sorties from the territory of the Russian Federation in order to engage manpower and hardware of the ISIS near Deir ez-Zor on January 22-24. Flight range reached more than 2,000 kilometers.“

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • (5 children1 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS484

Incident date

January 27, 2016

Location

جرابلس, Jarablus, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.818256, 38.009676 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a news roundup, Shaam News reported that several civilians were killed and wounded in an alleged Russian airstrike on Jarablus.

The Network said this was part of raids on neighbourhoods in the city of Al Bab, including the villages of Berlhan, Trahil and the city of Manbij. It added that civilians were directly targeted.

VDC lists one unidentified civilian male as having been killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 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 (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 military report published on 1st February 2016, the Kremlin said: “In the course of the last week, the Russian aircraft in the Syrian Arab Republic have performed 468 combat sorties engaging 1354 terrorists’ infrastructural facilities in the Aleppo, Latakia, Hama, Homs, Damascus, Raqqah, Daraa and Deir ez-Zor provinces. Among them – 24 ones were carried out by Tu-22M3 long-range bombers from the Russian territory…Near Jeb Ghabishah (Aleppo province), a Su-24M bomber destroyed ammunition and POL storages of the ISIS terrorists.“

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS519

Incident date

February 1, 2016

Location

معدان, Ma'adan, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.751055, 39.615398 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Ten civilians including one child and two women were killed in alleged Russian airstrikes on Ma’adan, according to local sources.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that Russian airstrikes targeted the following areas of the town: “near Ma’adan garage; near Tah Kreiban school; near Al Farouq school [previously al Bourtoukala]“.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, six people, including a man and a woman, were killed “when warplanes bombed areas in the town of Ma’adan. The Observatory added that the death toll was expected to rise “because there is information about the death of 2 other citizen women, from one family.” It did not identify to whom the warplanes belonged.

In a contradictory initial online report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights in a headline stated “Massacre due to regime forces shelling on Ma’adan town in Raqqa governorate on February 1“. However, in the body of the post, SN4HR said at least five civilians including one child were killed when “suspected Russian warplanes” launched missiles on Ma’adan.

A subsequent report published by SN4HR explicitly alleged that Russian warplanes dropped cluster munitions in Ma’adan, killing “10 individuals including a child and two women.” 

Eight victims were initially identified by Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, including 4 that were also listed by the Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies as killed by “indiscriminate” Russian aerial shelling in Ma’adan. Those initially listed by RBSS:

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ahmad al Nasser
Age unknown male Listed by RBSS killed
Jihad Al Nasser
Age unknown male Listed by RBSS killed
Ahmad Kamal
Age unknown male Listed by RBSS killed
The wife of Hussein Al Tared
Adult female Listed by RBSS killed
Mayzar al Shawish
Adult female Listed by RBSS killed
The mother of Mayzar al Shawish
Adult female Listed by RBSS killed
The son of Mayzar al Shawish
Age unknown male Listed by RBSS killed
Mahmoud Al Hayd
Adult male Listed by RBSS killed
Al Haj Ibrahim Al Thaher
70 years old male Listed by RBSS killed
Tarif Al Khalaf Al Harami
Age unknown male reportedly died later “due to wounds sustained in the strike on the town a few days ago“ killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women7 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Mayzar al Shawish, killed in an alleged Russian strike on Ma'adan, Feb 1st 9via Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently)
  • Image of Mahmoud al Haid
  • Aftermath of the airstrike

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 1st – February 3rd.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • (1 child2 women7 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS553

Incident date

February 5, 2016

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

Between six and ten civilians including four children and two women were killed – and up to 18 others injured –  in alleged Russian airstrikes on Sakhour according to local sources.

Shaam News Network said eight civilians were killed “as a result of Russian aggression targeting the mosque in the neighborhood after Alsakhur as worshipers were leaving Friday prayer.”

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, five non-combatants died including two children – and “many others” were injured – in a bombardment by Russian warplanes.

In an initial report, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes, putting the death toll at six. However, in a later report it alleged that “Russian warplanes launched  missiles next to Al Khayrat mosque in Al Sakhour neighborhood that is under the control of armed opposition“, putting the number killed at eight including two children and 18 others wounded.

Shaam News Network published a video showing the aftermath of what it said was a strike with a vacuum missile, though they did not say who was responsible. It put the death toll at 10 including four children and two women.

Other sources also said ten were killed and blamed Russia, while Halab Today said eight civilians were killed and injured while leaving a mosque, but did not name the culprit.

Five unidentified males (two of them children) were listed by the Violations Documentation Center:

Unidentified 1 – adult, male

Unidentified 2 – adult, male

Unidentified 3 – adult, male

Unidentified 4 – child, male

Unidentified 5 – child, male

Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies named five victims as being killed by a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mahmoud Najjar
Adult male Named by by citizen journalist Abu Muhamad El Najjar killed
Faisal Shalash
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Abdel-Qader Tijan
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Bakkor Tijan
Adult male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Abdullah Hijo
Child male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed
Mohammed Yahya Kablawi
Child male Named by Damascus Center for Human Rights Studies killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 10
  • (2–4 children2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–18
  • 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]

  • The aftermath of an alleged Russian strike on Sakhour, Feb 5th (via SO4HR)
  • Image of Hassan Mahmoud Najjar (Twitter account deleted)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of one of the supposed victims (via Damascus Center of Human Rights Studies)
  • Syrian Observatory for Human Rights shows the aftermath of the attack

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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
    6 – 10
  • (2–4 children2 women3–4 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–18
  • 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

RS585

Incident date

February 9, 2016

Location

الشميطية, Shmaitieh, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4713655, 39.9352598 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and three other civilians injured in airstrikes on Shmaitieh, according to local sources – though they are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Both the Violations Documentation Center and the Syrian Network for Human Rights named a nine-year-old victim as Mohammad Abdul Kareem al-Jadia.

Baladi, LCCSY and Qasioun all reported that one child was killed bin a Russian strike. The citizen journalist Mohamad Hassan also blamed Russia for Mohammad’s death and reported that three other civilians were wounded.

However, while the VDC and Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently said this was a Russian incident, SN4HR blamed regime missiles.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Abdul Kareem al-Jadia
9 years old male Named by VDC killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The martyrdom of Mohammed Abdulkarim El-Jad’ou, 9 years, and three civilians were wounded by shelling of Russian air aggression on Al Shmaytiyah Deir Ezzor western countryside

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

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.”

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 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS618

Incident date

February 15, 2016

Location

أبو الظهور, Abu al Duhur, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.738466, 37.0479584 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between four and seven civilians including three children were killed and several other civilians injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on the town of Abu al Duhur, according to local sources.

Shaam News Network put the number killed at four and said the victims were all from the same family. But other sources – also blaming Russia – put the death toll at seven. According to Zamanmasdar this included three children and a woman.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (3 children1 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 (7) [ 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 airstrikes in Idlib for February 10th – February 16th though published a detailed response to civilian casualty allegations in the governorate.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (3 children1 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS650

Incident date

February 21, 2016

Location

النعمان, Al Nu'man, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.46321, 37.43317 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 15 civilians were killed in an airstrike on Al Nu’man, which all local sources attributed to Russia.

Shaam News Network reported that “Russian warplanes carried out raids on the village of Al Nu’man leading to the fall of several martyrs and wounded.” And at 0’13” in a video by Halab Today, the channel allege that 12 unidentified people died in Russian raids on the village. Alsouria.net also put the death toll at 12 including children.

SyriaPC too said that Russia was responsible, and that the death toll – which it initially put at 12 – was likely to rise as many people were still under the rubble. According to Ara News, as many as 15 non-combatants were killed.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12 – 15
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News bulletin reporting on the alleged Russian raid in the village of al Nu’man. (via, Halab News)

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
    12 – 15
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS682

Incident date

February 26, 2016

Location

دارة عزة, Darat Izza, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.28247, 36.85216 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Nine civilians including three children and three women died in an airstrike on Darat Izza, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether Russia or the regime were responsible.

Shaam News Network reported that “a family made up of three people was burnt to death  in the town of Darat Izza after it was targeted by Russian enemy planes while they were attempting to escape the insane bombing the town was being subjected to.” SNN shared a photograph of a burnt out car. Madar Daily and Baladi also reported the death of the family in a Russian strike.

However, the Syrian Network for Human Rights alleged that the Assad regime was responsible, reporting that “at least 4 victims including 3 children died in regime warplanes missiles fired on Darat Azza city in Aleppo governorate, February 26, 2016.” And according to LCCSY, a regime missile was responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Abdul Razaq Ahmad al-Kasha
Child male killed
Mohammad Ahmad al-Kasha
Child male killed
Hasne Ahmad al-Kasha
Child female killed

Family members (2)

Khaled Hassan Arab 
Age unknown named by SHRC killed
Zakariya Khaled Arab 
Age unknown named by SHRC killed

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Kamel Ibraheem
Adult male killed
Fatma Dello
Adult female killed
Raghda al-Baij
Adult female from Hayyan killed
Huriye Marjan
Adult female from Hayyan killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (3 children3 women1 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 (21) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Huge fires in Darat Izza following an alleged Russian raid. (via, Alla abd)
  • Cars and residential homes burn after the alleged Russian raid. (via, Darat Izza media)
  • An interview in the aftermath of the incident showing the destruction to the local infrastructure. (via, Al Burqa Media)
  • The exact moments the raids hit. (via, LCCSY)
  • The car where a family of three burned to death in an alleged Russian raid. (via, SNN)

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.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • (3 children3 women1 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 (21) [ collapse]