On the ninth anniversary of Russia’s direct military intervention in Syria, the Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, released a report detailing the ongoing humanitarian devastation caused by Russia’s involvement. The report underscores the brutal nature of Russia’s military operations and its support for the Assad regime which the White Helmets say has left thousands of civilians dead and displaced.
On September 30, 2015, Russia officially entered the Syrian civil war, ostensibly to support a strategic ally and protect its geopolitical interests in the Middle East. However, the White Helmets’ report argues that Russia’s true aim was to suppress the Syrian people’s aspirations for change. “Nine years after Russia’s intervention, it is evident that protecting the Assad regime, at any cost, was the priority. The pretext of stabilizing the region was merely a cover for crushing Syrians’ hopes for a decent life,” the report states.
The White Helmets’ documentation, which is based on first-hand reports from response teams, reveals staggering civilian casualties over the past nine years. As of September 12, 2024, the group has recorded 4,073 civilian deaths and 8,431 injuries as a result of 5,751 Russian-led attacks. These strikes have predominantly targeted civilian areas, leading to mass casualties and widespread displacement.
The report highlights that Russian forces have been responsible for 265 massacres, killing 2,784 civilians, including 873 children and 552 women. Most of these attacks were concentrated on civilian homes, markets, and crowded public spaces, designed to maximize civilian deaths.
The destruction wrought by Russia extends beyond civilian casualties. The White Helmets report notes that Putin has systematically targeted essential infrastructure, including hospitals, schools, and agricultural lands. In total, 3,838 strikes have been launched against houses, killing over 3,200 people, including 1,001 children.
Hospitals, protected under international law, have been repeatedly attacked. 70 hospital strikes have been documented, most of which occurred despite prior notification of their locations to avoid conflict. These attacks have crippled Syria’s healthcare system, killing 42 civilians and injuring 145 others.
Agricultural lands, roads, and markets have also been frequent targets. The White Helmets documented 985 attacks on farmlands, 336 on roads, and 54 strikes on markets, killing hundreds. The destruction of these vital resources has severely impacted the livelihoods of Syrians, contributing to increased food insecurity.
The White Helmets accuse Russia of committing war crimes by deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure and employing a scorched-earth policy. These acts have led to the displacement of millions of Syrians and caused widespread destruction across the country. According to the report, Russian airstrikes have turned Syrian cities into “piles of rubble,” making many families homeless.
The group also highlights “double-tap” strikes employed, where a second wave of bombing targets first responders and rescuers. Civil Defense volunteers have been directly targeted, with 49 members killed and 163 wounded due to Moscow’s involvement.
The report highlights Russia’s use of political manipulation and media misinformation to shield its actions from international scrutiny and the repeated use of its Security Council veto to block resolutions to punish Syrians and protect the regime. Furthermore, the Kremlin has consistently disseminated false narratives about the Syrian Civil Defense, labeling them as “terrorists” to discredit their work and justify further military aggression.
“The international community cannot continue to remain silent,” the report urges calling for accountability, stressing that the ongoing violence and destruction in Syria represent violations of international laws. The report concludes with a call to the UN and global leaders to enforce mechanisms to protect civilians and hold perpetrators accountable under Security Council Resolution 2254.
