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
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Incident Code

RS573

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

النعيمة‎, Naemah, Dara'a, Syria

Geolocation

32.6317313, 36.1592245 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Violations Documentation Center named one adult male civilian, Samer Ali al-Manajrah, as killed in an alleged Russian airstrike on Naemah. It linked to a Yaqeen Media Foundation video of the man’s funeral. The voiceover says he was killed after Russian raids targeted the town of Naemah.

All4Syria also said Russia had carried out a raid on the town, while Syria 2011 named Samer Ali Almnajerh as killed in a Russian strike.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Samer Ali al-Manajrah
Age unknown male killed

Summary

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

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

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.”

Summary

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

Incident Code

RS606

Incident date

February 14, 2016

Location

حوش نصري, Hosh Nasri, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.55803, 36.47058 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians including one child were killed in airstrikes on the town of Hosh Nasri, according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

The Shaam News Network reported that “swarms of Russian planes” flew over Eastern Ghouta, targeting towns with several air raids. Activists told SNN that there was a “horrible massacre” which claimed the lives of five non-combatants in Hosh Nasri when civilians’ homes were hit with missiles.

The White Helmets also said that Russia was responsible and put the death toll at five with many more injured, adding that a huge fire broke out across homes and shops. They published disturbing videos depicting dead bodies and rescue attempts.

According to All4Syria, Russian jets conducted “several air strikes, killing five civilians, including a child, and injuring others“. They added that the number of deaths was likely to increase due to severity of injuries. Al Jisr TV also attributed the incident to Russia, putting the death toll at five.

However, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, regime warplanes were responsible.

Five victims were named by the White Helmets.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mouriy’i Makiya
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Atef Alloush
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Hamid Al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Abboud al-Mohammad
Age unknown male Named by White Helmets killed
Faisal Othman
Child male Named by White Helmets killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Rescue operations carried out by the civil defence after warplanes targeted Hosh Nasri. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Watch the civil defence team from Al Rihan centre tending to the wounded and pulling out the martyrs after a massacre carried out by air weapons in Hosh Nasri in Eastern Ghouta. (via, The White Helmets)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    What looks like the remains of a burned body. (via, The White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

Russia makes no public mention of having carried out strikes in Damascus from February 10th – February 16th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (1 child0–3 men)
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS638

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

العرضي, Al A'ardi (Deir ez-Zor), Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.3352757, 40.1499438 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Twelve civilians died, including seven from the same family, in alleged Russian airstrikes on the Al A’ardi neighbourhood according to local sources.

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported 12 deaths in two Russian raids, while Shaam News Network said Russian warplanes “targeted civilians’ homes directly“.

Both Al Jazeera and Alsory__Alhor also reported Russian strikes, but didn’t provide specific casualty numbers, while Euphrates Post noted there had been raids on Al A’ardi, but didn’t identify the “warplanes” responsible.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 (6) [ 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 published no known record of strikes in Syria from February 17th – February 29th.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS670

Incident date

February 25, 2016

Location

الحصان, Al Hissan, Deir ez-Zor, Syria

Geolocation

35.4008045, 40.1184654 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently reported that one civilian, was killed in an airstrike at a roundabout in the village of Al Hissan – though did not say who carried out the strike. However, Shaam News Network said Russia was responsible.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, “Warplane shelling thought to be Russian targeted shops and the place where farmers gathered in Al Hissan village which resulted in the death of a man who guarded a warehouse where engines were stored”.

Most reports blamed Russia for the incident, but All4Syria said the regime had carried out shelling on the village, killing one non-combatant.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hussein al A’jeel
Age unknown named by Deir Ezzor is Being Slaughtered Silently killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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 (14) [ 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 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
    1
  • 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 (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS702

Incident date

March 2, 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

Three civilians including one child and one woman died in airstrikes on Palmyra – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

Shaam News reported that Moscow was responsible: “Russian enemy planes carried out more than 15 air raids on the city of Palmyra targeting civilian homes and causing deaths and injuries.” A series of tweets by independent sources also blamed Russia.

According to Syrian News Desk, “Russian jets launched more than 15 raids on the central and eastern neighborhoods of the city, killing four people, including a child and a woman, were killed and ten others were wounded, in addition to the widespread destruction in the houses.”

Smart News said Russian warplanes “launched 18 strikes with rockets on the city, aimed at the National Hospital, and the girls secondary school, public arena, and residential homes in the neighborhoods East and east, and the Red Valley, and the area around the officers housing, Palmyra castle, killing a woman and two children from the same family and wounding 11 others, who were taken to Raqqah to tend to their wounds.“

However, other sources including RT, and the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed regime warplanes.The Syrian Observatory did not say who the “warplanes” responsible belonged to.

Two victims were named by the Violations Documentation Center, which said they were killed in Russian strikes.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Ayat al-Ayad
Adult female killed
Son of Ayat al-Ayad
Child male killed

The victims were named as:

Name unknown
Child

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video shows the devastation in the al-Maliah area of the city of Palmyra as a result of the allegedbombardment by Russian planes (via Palmyra News Network).
  • Strikes targeting Palmyra (via Syria News Desk)
  • Aftermath of the strikes in Palmyra (via Aajil)

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 for March 1st to March 30th

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    Healthcare facility, School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (1 child1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    11
  • 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 (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS734

Incident date

March 13, 2016

Location

دوما, Douma, Damascus, Syria

Geolocation

33.5714804, 36.4033699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one child was killed in Douma according to local sources – though reports are conflicted as to whether this was a Russian airstrike or the result of regime artillery.

Shaam News, reported: “Russian planes carried out raids on Douma neighbourhoods which was preceeded by artillery shelling. One civilian was killed and others were injured and that was in clear breach of the truce.”

But Step News Agency blamed the regime, reporting that “Regime forces stationed in the eastern Ghouta overlooking the mountains aimed at the road between Misraba and Douma which killed two people”. News_Ajil also blamed the regime, as did Dr-khaled6.

According to Hani Al-Sulyman, regime artillery killed the child Yousef Qadeesh.

SMO also published a video which showed six-year-old Nour Al-deen in hospital after losing his legs following a strike by an alleged Russian missile which hit his house while he was playing. The child’s father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his son’s shoes.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Nour al-Deen
6 years old male injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video shows Nour al-Deen, 6 years old, in hospital after losing his legs to an alleged Russian missile targeting his house. His father talks to the camera and shows the remains of his shoes.(via SMO Syria)

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 for March 1st to March 30th.

Syrian Regime Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    Russian Military, Syrian Regime

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS766

Incident date

April 26, 2016

Location

الفردوس, Al Fardous (Aleppo), Aleppo, Syria

Geolocation

36.180995, 37.151892 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Four or five civilians died and others were wounded in alleged airstrikes on Fardous, according to local sources – though reports were conflicted or unclear as to whether this was the work of Russia or the Assad regime.

On Twitter, Syriam_m_m as well as Wesal_tv reported that five people died and many were wounded “in Russian shelling on Al-Fardus neighbourhood, Aleppo.” Similar information was reported by Shaam News Network which said that Russian airstrikes killed five civilians and wounded a number of others. Jisr_tv published a video in which it blamed Russia for the “massacre”. The SRG also said Russia was responsible.

Other sources were unclear about who was responsible for the airstrikes. A further news brief by SNN referred to strikes by regime and Russian planes and did not differentiate between the two. The White Helmets reported that “warplanes” targeted neighborhoods in Aleppo. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights too reported that Fardous was bombarded but did not say by whom. In a tweet, Syria_24 reported an incident in Karm-Al-Beik neighbourhood and spoke of four people allegedly killed, yet it did not say who carried out the raids.

Furthermore, the Syrian Network for Human Rights blamed the regime, putting the death toll at four.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (13) [ collapse]

  • Victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Zakarria_Nassani Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Syriam_m Twitter)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child victim of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Aleppo Media Centre)
  • Children in the aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Battle New Network)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting civilian areas in Fardous, Aleppo (via BNN)
  • Children among the destructions caused by the strikes in Fardous, Aleppo (via Wesal_TV Twitter)
  • Aftermath of the strikes targeting Fardous, Aleppo (via Baladi News Network)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from Fardous (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)
  • Aftermath of strikes targeting Aleppo on April 26, possibly from al Haydariya (via the White Helmets)

Russian Military Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Russian Military
Official source

The Kremlin has issued no public accounts of airstrikes in Syria from April 1st – 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 – 5
  • 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 (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

RS799

Incident date

May 15, 2016

Location

السحل, Al Sahal, Ar Raqqah, Syria

Geolocation

35.87441, 38.63985 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Raqqa News 24/24 reported that a “Russian warplane” targeted the home of one of the residents of the village at 02.30am, leading to the man’s immediate death. It also said that the planes targeted the water pump east of Al Mansoura, causing material damage. Muslim Forum also reported the death of the man and said others were wounded.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently referred only to “warplanes” and did not identify them. However, it said there had been four strikes which led to the death of the young man Z’eitar Mohammad Al Hussein al Ali.

The VDC also named this victim as killed in “warplane shelling”.

Alwatan news (pro-regime source) said the Coalition was responsible for the raids.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Z’eitar Mohammad Al Hussein al Ali.
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (5) [ 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 May 1st – 31st.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (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 (5) [ collapse]