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

RS096

Incident date

October 30, 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

At least 10 and as many as 13 civilians were reported killed and 40 injured following alleged Russian airstrikes on Al Bab.

According to Shaam News, “More than 10 civilians were killed in the city of Al Bab controlled by IS in addition to many injured. The aircraft targeted Al Rihawi mosque, Martta Square, Beith Al Shami neighbouhood and Sheikh Faress Mosuqe in the city centre which caused widespread destruction in shops and property.

Daesh propaganda footage shows heavy damage to a retail district.

The Syrian Observatory reported that the Al Bab strike – along with attacks on nearby Al Kalassa and Al Ferdous – between them killed “64 civilians including 28 children and 6 women.”

Among those reported injured was Hussein Badawi, head of the local civil defence. Baladi News was alone in attributing the attack to Assad regime forces.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rises above Al Bab Oct 30th following one of many reported Russian airstrikes (via White Helmets)
  • Breaking News for Al Bab facebook page showing the aftermath of the strike (via breaking Bab)
  • Aftermath of the strike (via White Helmets)
  • Translation: The death of 3 martyrs including a woman and her child by Russian planes on the town of Al bab in the eastern countryside. (via moaazalabaas)
  • translation: The martyrdom of 3 people including a woman and her child in an air raid on the city of al bab in eastern Aleppo countryside. (via hammoudday)

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.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 13
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    40
  • 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

RS132

Incident date

November 8, 2015

Location

مَعَرَّة النُّعْمَان, Maarat al Numan, Idlib, Syria

Geolocation

35.647038, 36.679174 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to multiple sources, at least ten non-combatants died, and 30 were injured by alleged Russian warplanes struck the popular market in the centre of Ma’arat Al Numan.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime for the alleged raids, but a member of The White Helmets, who came to the scene, told SN4HR Russian jets were responsible: “On Sunday in the afternoon, alleged Russian warplanes launched two rockets on the market in Abi’ Alaa Street. We directly went there. One rocket targeted Al Ma’ara Pharmacy which flattened it to the ground, and the other rocket fell to the east of the first location. The region is completely free of any armed opposition groups or ISIL.”

The Violations Documentation Center named seven victims as having been killed alleged Russian strikes.

Additionally, on November 18th, the VDC also listed Mostafa Mohammad Khair al Thikra as having died from wounds sustained in the bombing. Ibraheem al Ekel described as having died from injuries sustained in a strike on Maasaran. However, a list compiled by the Syrian Center suggests that while he is from Maasaran, Mr al-Ekel killed on November 8th in the Ma’arat al-Numan market bombing.

Moreover, The Syrian Network for Human Rights named Alaa Zarzour and Hasan Ahmad Ja’afar Al Shardoub as having died in the attack. And according to Syrian Center News, a young man from the Sheroot family was also killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Kareem al-Shardoub
Adult male killed
Yasin al-Dergam
Adult male killed
Jamal Mohammad Mendel
Adult male killed
Hosain al-Sobaih
Adult male killed
Abd la-Khaleq al-Baik
Adult male killed
Mostafa al-Sherawi
Adult male killed
Ahmad Mostafa al-Sherawi
Adult male killed
Mostafa Mohammad Khair al Thikra
Age unknown male killed
Ibraheem al Ekel
Age unknown male killed
Alaa Zarzour
Age unknown male killed
Hasan Ahmad Ja’afar Al Shardoub
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (10–12 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Maarah Network Report A new massacre committed by Russian aircraft with their hateful missiles, which targeted the commercial market in the city of Maarat al-Nu'man in the countryside of Idlib
  • Abd al Kareem Hardoub
  • Jamal al Mendeel

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 Idlib governorate: “In the suburbs of al-Zerba (Idlib province), a large command center of Jabhat al-Nusra illegal armed group was destroyed. The object had been arranged in the course of the last three weeks as well as well-camouflaged. The command center coordinated terrorists’ actions at the Idlib-Aleppo direction. After additional reconnaissance of the object by means of unmanned aerial vehicles, a Su-34 aircraft made a strike with a guided bomb KAB-500. As a result, the object was destroyed with all its contents.”

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10 – 12
  • (10–12 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS164

Incident date

November 18, 2015

Location

الرحيبة, Al Rahiba, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.74424, 36.70394 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The White Helmets reported the death of one man and the injuring of his wife, following several alleged Russian airstrikes during the evening on the town of Al Rahiba.

However the VDC reported the death of an unnamed civilian male “due to regime`s army forces shelling.” And the Free Syrian Army noted only that an “unidentified martyr died following a bombardment on the town.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Rahiba (الرحيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 33.74424, 36.70394. 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 made no public mention of airstrikes in Damascus governorate in its report for November 18th 2015.

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)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS197

Incident date

November 27, 2015

Location

القريتين, Al Qaryatayn, Homs, Syria

Geolocation

34.229890, 37.238245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three non-combatants including two women were reported killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on a farm 7km from the city of Qaryatain. The Syrian Network for Human Rights described the location as providing shelter to internally displaced civilians.

The VDC named two victims, and  SN4HR named the third victim who was named byrom Haraween in Homs

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aysheh Ahmad al-Hajji al-Saleibi
Adult female named by vdc killed
Hafizah Zaeim al-Sabrah
Adult female named by vdc killed
Aeid Sameer Sawan
Age unknown male named by SN4RH killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 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
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Al Qaryatayn (القريتين), for which the generic coordinates are: 34.229890, 37.238245. 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
    3
  • (2 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
    Unknown

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS229

Incident date

December 4, 2015

Location

الأربعين‎, Al Arbain, Hama, Syria

Geolocation

35.353889, 36.558333 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Union of Hama Rebels, the SHRC and the VDC have all named five civilians including two women, whom they say died in a Russian airstrike on the village of Al Arbain.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mohammad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Mohammad Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed
Ghusoun Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Najah Mohammad Mubarak
Adult female killed
Samer Ahmad Mubarak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (2 women3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Arbain, for which the generic coordinates are: 35.353889, 36.558333. 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

For November 26th-December 4th 2015, Russia reported that “In the course of the last week, 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 women3 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS262

Incident date

December 11, 2015

Location

هجين, Hajeen, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

34.6897222, 40.83 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed and another civilian injured in an alleged Russian airstrike at Hajeen.

No additional details are presently known.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • News report on the event. (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 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

RS295

Incident date

December 20, 2015

Location

كفر ناها, Kafr Naha, Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.1658391, 36.9767189

Airwars assessment

Up to fifteen civilians were reported killed and dozens injured in alleged Russian airstrikes on Kafr Naha, according to the Shaam News Network. It said the raids were carried out by tens of Russian warplanes, adding that about 40 raids additional raids also targeted nearby towns and villages relating to battles between rebels and the regime on the outskirts of Khan Tuman.

Fresh Syria said the death toll was 15 “and many seriously injured, most of them taken to field hospitals on the Turkish border.” Smart News said the town was hit by “rockets and heavy bombs.” And the opposition Aleppo Media Centre reported that “Russian occupation aircraft fired six missiles on the main road in the town of Kfernaha, causing the martyrdom of at least 15 civilians and the wounding of more than 25 others – in addition to the burning of a number of cars and the demolishing of shops.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • 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

For December 18th-23rd 2016, 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
    13 – 15
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–25
  • 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

RS327

Incident date

December 28, 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

Three to four civilians including one child were killed and dozens injured in airstrikes on Palmyra, according to multiple sources.

The Shaam News Network reported that it was the second day in a row that Russian  warplanes killed non-combatants in the city and said that three had died in bombing raids carried out by “tens of Russian aircraft over the city.”

They noted that the raids focused on the vital centres of Palmyra – the main electricity directorate, Heer Palacen and the salt factories in the industrial area as well as the archaeological area – and that dozens were wounded in addition to those that died.

According to the Network the raids also caused massive destruction in residential areas as the planes were using highly explosive rockets.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported 40 Russian airstrikes targeting the town of Mahin – the electricity management area, Qasr al-Her school, Tadmur city and al-Sena’ia area, killing four civilians, including a child.

 

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Musaab Ali Batman al-Assad al-Nazar
Adult male killed
Abd al-Monem al-Asad al-Nazer
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (1 child)
  • 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]