The Syrian Network for Human Rights today issued a report marking the tenth anniversary of the Russian military intervention in Syria, confirming that it caused widespread violations and massive destruction, calling for accountability of those responsible and ensuring the rights of the affected.

The network stated that Russia is required to issue an official apology, pay compensation to the victims, and hand over Bashar al-Assad who fled to Russia after his regime fell last December, noting that his fall stopped Russian attacks but did not end their devastating effects including violations, displacement, and widespread destruction.

The network confirmed that the Russian intervention since September 30, 2015, marked a dangerous turning point, as it fully sided with the former regime against demands for freedom and justice, supporting it politically and militarily, and committing serious violations including bombing, forced displacement, destruction, and use of cluster munitions against civilians.

The network pointed out that Russia provided comprehensive political, military, and economic support to Assad’s regime, obstructing international accountability by using its veto power 18 times, 14 of which were after its military intervention, and voted against the Syrian people in 21 sessions of the Human Rights Council against any condemnation of the regime, recruiting allied countries to protect it. The military intervention also helped the regime regain control of strategic areas such as Aleppo, Ghouta, Daraa, and Idlib.

Moscow supported the regime logistically and technically, covering its violations including the use of chemical weapons, using its media arms and diplomacy in the Geneva, Astana, and Sochi tracks to secure the regime’s survival at the expense of Syrians’ aspirations.

The network said it documented Russia’s violations against the Syrian people over nine years from its military intervention on September 30, 2015, until the fall of Assad’s regime on December 8, 2024, highlighting:

• The killing of 6,993 civilians, including 2,061 children and 984 women. The report confirmed that the high proportion of children and women among the victims indicates that Russian attacks widely targeted populated areas, raising strong indicators of possible deliberate targeting of civilians or causing disproportionate harm violating international humanitarian law.
• Aleppo governorate recorded the highest number of civilian casualties by governorate distribution, followed by Idlib and then Deir ez-Zor.
• 363 massacres committed by Russian forces during the same period, confirming that the Russian intervention was a key factor in escalating civilian suffering and committing violations amounting to war crimes.
• The killing of at least 70 medical personnel, including 12 women, in addition to at least 24 media personnel deaths.

The network explained that it worked on documenting Russian violations through a comprehensive database monitoring attacks and their results in victims and destruction, including massacres, targeting vital facilities, and use of cluster munitions, notably the Idlib massacre and destruction of a power station in October 2024, noting it continued issuing accurate reports that contributed to documenting violations amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The network’s report included a set of recommendations to local and international actors:

• Hold those responsible for Russian violations accountable, including military and political leaders, to ensure accountability for all involved in crimes against humanity and war crimes.
• Enhance transparency and preserve evidence in preparation for submission to competent international or national judicial bodies.
• Support victims’ rights and compensate them through establishing fair and comprehensive compensation programs combining material and moral reparations, including rebuilding vital facilities and basic services to ensure restoration of fundamental rights for affected populations.
• Protect civilians and vital facilities in the future by establishing effective national and international mechanisms to prevent repeated attacks on civilians and vital facilities.
• Support and strengthen political pathways and transitional justice, including trials, truth-revealing mechanisms, reconciliation, reparations, and guarantees of non-repetition, to address past violations in a way that protects everyone’s rights and reinforces the rule of law.
• Frame relations with Russia within justice requirements; in this regard, the network called on the Syrian government to regulate any future relations or cooperation with Russia within a framework committed to accountability for past violations, including demanding Russia bear its legal responsibilities towards affected civilians, obliging it to compensate and contribute to rebuilding what was destroyed during its military intervention in Syria, with guarantees to prevent recurrence of similar violations against civilians or vital facilities.