The Russian military’s actions amount to two crimes against humanity, the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine’s report states – firstly of “murder and of forcible transfer of population” and secondly, “deportations and transfers of civilians” from areas occupied by Russian forces, some of whom were tortured.
Systematic and coordinated
The attacks – which have struck a wide range of civilian targets in an area spanning over 300 kilometres along the right bank of the Dnipro River, across Dnipropetrovsk, Kherson, and Mykolaiv oblasts – are systematically coordinated actions designed to drive Ukrainians out of their homes, say the report’s authors.
They have targeted individuals, houses and buildings, humanitarian distribution points and critical energy infrastructure servicing civilians.
They also targeted first responders – including ambulances and fire brigades, which are afforded special protection under international humanitarian law.
Many of the attacks struck the same vehicles and infrastructure repeatedly, deliberately setting them on fire, spreading terror among the civilian population and violating their fundamental human rights.
The report from the UN Human Rights Council-appointed investigation team – established in March 2022 – contains testimony from residents who have come under fire, describing their living conditions as unbearable.
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