The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has published an alarming report denouncing the systematic attacks by Russian armed forces against civilians and infrastructure in the country. The document, recently presented to the UN Human Rights Council, details how, in May, attacks were carried out in the Kherson region using unmanned aerial vehicles in inhabited areas, which could be considered a crime against humanity.
The report underscores the scale and systematic nature of these aggressions, noting that similar incidents have occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk and Mykolaiv regions, with a clear purpose of “killing, mutilating, and destroying.” Experts have indicated that drones were intentionally used to target ambulances and other emergency services, preventing their access to affected areas. This has had a devastating impact on the civilian population, with entire villages becoming uninhabitable and essential services paralyzed, resulting in the closure of numerous businesses and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
A testimony from a resident of the village of Antonovka illustrates the severity of the situation: “There were three, four, five drones in the air every hour. It became impossible to go outside,” they recounted, reflecting the fear that has forced thousands to flee their homes.
Erik Møse, the Commission’s president, has expressed concern over the escalation of these attacks, emphasizing that “entire communities have suffered damage and destruction.” The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has reported that the total number of casualties has increased by 40% compared to the previous year during the first eight months of 2023.
The report concludes by expressing concern over the high number of civilian casualties, suggesting that these actions are part of an organized effort by Russian authorities to expand their territory and consolidate their control in areas they already dominate, forcing the local population to leave their country.
via: MiMub in Spanish
