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{{Short description|War crimes |
{{Short description|War crimes in Ukraine}} |
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{{About| |
{{About|war crimes during the Russian invasion|investigation and prosecution of the war crimes|International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|the legality of the invasion itself in international law|Legality of the Russian invasion of Ukraine|the case brought by Ukraine before the International Court of Justice|Ukraine v. Russian Federation (2022)}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2024}} |
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{{Current related|article|2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|4=current military offensive|date=February 2022}} |
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[[File:The city of Bucha after liberation from the Russians 01.jpg|thumb|250px|Bodies of civilians shot by Russian soldiers lie on a street in [[Bucha massacre|Bucha]], 3 April 2022. The hands of one victim are tied behind his back.]] |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} |
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[[File:Місто Буча після звільнення від російських окупантів 01.jpg|thumb|Killed civilians in Bucha, April 2022]] |
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{{Campaignbox 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
{{Campaignbox 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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{{Campaignbox Russo-Ukrainian War}} |
{{Campaignbox Russo-Ukrainian War}} |
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Since the beginning of the [[Russian invasion of Ukraine]] in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have committed [[Russian war crimes|war crimes]], such as deliberate [[Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|attacks against civilian targets]] (including [[Russian strikes on hospitals during the Russian invasion of Ukraine|strikes on hospitals]] and [[Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)|on the energy grid]]);<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2022 |title=Chernihiv: Are these Russia's weapons of war? |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61036880 |access-date=3 May 2022}} |
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*{{Cite news |last1=Gall |first1=Carlotta |last2=Kramer |first2=Andrew E. |date=3 April 2022 |title=In a Kyiv Suburb,'They Shot Everyone They Saw' |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilian-deaths.html |access-date=3 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412065516/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-russia-war-civilian-deaths.html |archive-date=12 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="HRW_Vehicles" /> [[indiscriminate attack]]s on densely-populated areas (including [[Use of cluster munitions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|with cluster bombs]]); abduction, torture and murder of civilians; forced deportations; [[Sexual violence in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|sexual violence]]; destruction of [[Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion|cultural heritage]]; and mistreatment, torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war.<ref name="nytimes.com">{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/23/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-united-nations.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924015357/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/23/world/europe/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-united-nations.html | archive-date=24 September 2022 | title=U.N. Experts find that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine | newspaper=The New York Times | date=23 September 2022 | last1=Cumming-Bruce | first1=Nick }} |
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*{{Cite web |last=Macias |first=Amanda |title=UN report details horrifying Ukrainian accounts of rape, torture and executions by Russian troops |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/28/russia-ukraine-war-un-report-details-accounts-of-rape-torture-and-executions.html |access-date=29 January 2023 |website=CNBC |date=28 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /><ref name="HRW_Deadly Attacks" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> |
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On 2 March 2023, the [[Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court]] (ICC) opened a [[International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|full investigation]] into past and present allegations of war crimes, [[crimes against humanity]], or [[genocide]] committed in [[Ukraine]] by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards, set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators, and sent a team of investigators, lawyers, and other professionals to Ukraine to begin collecting [[evidence]].<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_team_leaves_to_Ukraine2">{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=ICC prosecutor: Team leaves to investigate war crimes in Ukraine |newspaper=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03 |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231655/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03 |archive-date=3 March 2022}} |
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During the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]], Russian authorities were accused of carrying out wartime actions, including [[war crime]]s and possibly [[crimes against humanity]], in violation of [[international law]]. The Russian military attracted charges of [[Distinction (law)|indiscriminate]] attacks in densely populated areas exposing the civilian population to unnecessary and [[Proportionality (law)#International humanitarian law|disproportionate]] harm.<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /><ref name="HRW_Deadly Attacks" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> The Russian forces used [[cluster munitions]] – a type of weapon that is prohibited by most states because of its immediate and long-term danger to civilians<ref name="HRW_UA_RU_cluster_munition" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /><ref name="Wired_Cluster" /> – and fired other explosive weapons with wide-area effects including air-dropped bombs, missiles, heavy artillery shells and multiple launch rockets.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> The result of the Russian forces' attacks was damage or destruction of civilian buildings including houses, hospitals, schools and kindergartens<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> as well as nuclear power plants<ref name="AlJ040322" /> and cultural properties such as historic buildings and churches.<ref name="Reid_Heritage" /> As of March 25, the attacks had resulted in the death of at least 1,035 civilians and the wounding of at least 1,650.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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*{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: Additional Referrals from Japan and North Macedonia; Contact portal launched for provision of information |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220311-prosecutor-statement-ukraine |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=[[International Criminal Court]]}}</ref><ref name="icc-cpi.int">{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: "I have decided to proceed with opening an investigation." |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220228-prosecutor-statement-ukraine |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=www.icc-cpi.int}}</ref> Two other independent international agencies are also investigating violations of human rights and of [[international humanitarian law]] in the area: the [[Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine]], established by the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] on 4 March 2022, and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, deployed by [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]. The latter started monitoring human rights violations by all parties in 2014 and employs nearly 60 UN human rights monitors. On 7 April 2022, the United Nations suspended Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.<ref name="Nichols-2022-04-07" /> By late October, the Ukrainian Prosecutor's office had documented 39,347 alleged Russian war crimes, identified more than 600 suspects, and initiated proceedings against approximately 80 of them.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/ukraine-prosecute-russian-war-crimes-investigation-kharkiv-burial-rcna31006 |title=She was sure her son's death was a war crime. But the investigation is more painful than she expected |website=[[NBC News]] |first=Lauren |last=Egan |date=31 May 2022}}</ref> |
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On 17 March 2023, the [[ICC arrest warrants for Vladimir Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova|ICC issued arrest warrants]] against [[Vladimir Putin]] and [[Maria Lvova-Belova|Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova]] over allegations of involvement in the war crime of [[Child abductions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|child abductions during the invasion of Ukraine]].<ref name="Radford 2023">{{cite web | last=Radford | first=Antoinette | title=Putin arrest warrant issued over war crime allegations | website=BBC News | date=17 March 2023 | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64992727 | access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="International Criminal Court 2023">{{cite web | title=Situation in Ukraine: ICC judges issue arrest warrants against Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova | website=International Criminal Court | date=17 March 2023 | url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/situation-ukraine-icc-judges-issue-arrest-warrants-against-vladimir-vladimirovich-putin-and | access-date=17 March 2023}}</ref> |
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There were allegations of forced deportations of thousands of civilians from Russian-occupied [[Mariupol]] to Russia,<ref name="Guardian_deportations">{{Cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: US condemns 'unconscionable' forced deportations of civilians from Mariupol |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/russia-bombed-mariupol-art-school-sheltering-400-people-says-ukraine |access-date=2022-04-02 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> sexual assaults<ref name="NYT_sexual_violence">{{Cite news |last=Engelbrecht |first=Cora |date=29 March 2022 |title=Reports of sexual violence involving Russian soldiers are multiplying, Ukrainian officials say. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220329184716/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur |archive-date=29 March 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> and deliberate killing of Ukrainian civilians by members of the Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2 April 2022 |title=War in Ukraine: Street in Bucha found strewn with dead bodies |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60967463 |access-date=2022-04-03}}</ref> At the end of March, Ukrainian forces recaptured the town of [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]], located north of Kyiv. Afterwards, evidence emerged of [[Bucha massacre|possible war crimes]] committed by Russian troops, including torture and beheadings, and deliberate killings of civilians.<ref>{{cite web |title=In Bucha, the scope of Russian barbarity is coming into focus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/06/bucha-barbarism-atrocities-russian-soldiers/ |website=Washington Post |date=7 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220407190243/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/06/bucha-barbarism-atrocities-russian-soldiers/ |archive-date=7 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="thetimes2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine documents alleged atrocities by retreating Russians |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-bucha-atrocities-civilians-russia/ |access-date=2022-04-03 |website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref> The [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] documented in the first month of the invasion the arbitrary detention in Russian-occupied territories of 21 journalists and civil society activists, and 24 public officials and civil servants.<ref name="RSF_abduction">{{Cite web |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russians use abduction, hostage-taking to threaten Ukrainian journalists in occupied zones |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/russians-use-abduction-hostage-taking-threaten-ukrainian-journalists-occupied-zones |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Reporters without borders]]}}</ref><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /><ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted">{{Cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=Ukraine War: Civilians abducted as Russia tries to assert control |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60858363 |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> The Monitoring Mission has also expressed concern about reports and videos of ill-treatment, torture, and public humiliation of civilians and prisoners of war in territory controlled by the Government of Ukraine, allegedly committed by police officers and members of the territorial defense.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /><ref name="HRW_PW_Abuse">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Apparent POW Abuse Would Be War Crime |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/ukraine-apparent-pow-abuse-would-be-war-crime |access-date=1 April 2022 |website= |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]}}</ref> |
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{{TOC limit|3}} |
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On 2 March, the [[Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court]] (ICC) opened a [[International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine|full investigation]] into past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or [[genocide]] committed in Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards, set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators, and sent a team of investigators, lawyers and other professionals to Ukraine to begin collecting evidence.<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_team_leaves_to_Ukraine2">{{cite news |date=2022-03-03 |title=ICC prosecutor: Team leaves to investigate war crimes in Ukraine |newspaper=[[Thomson Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-03-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303231655/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03 |archive-date=2022-03-04}}</ref><ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: Additional Referrals from Japan and North Macedonia; Contact portal launched for provision of information |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220311-prosecutor-statement-ukraine |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=www.icc-cpi.int}}</ref> Neither Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the [[Rome Statute]], the legal basis of the ICC, but Ukraine has accepted the ICC's jurisdiction by signing in 2013 and 2014 two declarations to that effect.<ref name="icc-cpi.int">{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: "I have decided to proceed with opening an investigation." |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220228-prosecutor-statement-ukraine |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=www.icc-cpi.int}}</ref> Two other independent international agencies are also investigating violations of human rights and of [[international humanitarian law]] in the area: the [[International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine]], established by the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] on 4 March 2022, and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, deployed by [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]]. The latter started monitoring human rights violations by all parties in 2014 and employs nearly 60 UN human rights monitors. In late March, [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine]] [[Iryna Venediktova]] stated that the Ukrainian prosecutors had collected evidence for 2500 "possible war crimes cases" and "several hundred suspects."<ref name="Telegraph_2500_warcrimes_cases" /> On 7 April, the United Nations suspended Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.<ref name=":2" /> |
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== Documenting war crimes == |
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==Indiscriminate attacks and attacks against civilian targets== |
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Under numerous treaties the [[International Criminal Court]] investigates [[war crimes]] and [[genocide]]. In 1949, the Geneva Conventions defined [[war crimes]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Dörmann |first=Knut |date=2003 |title=War Crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, with a Special Focus on the Negotiations on the Elements of Crimes |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/187574103x00077 |journal=Max Planck Yearbook of United Nations Law Online |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages=341–407 |doi=10.1163/187574103x00077 |issn=1389-4633|url-access=subscription }}</ref> In the late 20th century the [[Rome Statute]] added additional war crimes applicable to [[civil war]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Greig |first1=J. Michael |last2=Meernik |first2=James D. |date=26 June 2014 |title=To Prosecute or Not to Prosecute: Civil War Mediation and International Criminal Justice |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/15718069-12341278 |journal=International Negotiation |volume=19 |issue=2 |pages=257–284 |doi=10.1163/15718069-12341278 |issn=1382-340X}}</ref> |
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[[File:Shelling of Kharkiv regional state administration, 01 March 2022.webm|Shelling of Kharkiv regional administration|thumb]] |
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[[File:Kharkiv_Oblast_after_shelling_(6).jpg|thumb|Shelled residential buildings in [[Kharkiv Oblast]]]] |
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According to human rights organisations and to the [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]], the invasion of Ukraine was carried out through [[Distinction (law)|indiscriminate]] attacks and strikes on civilian objects such as houses, hospitals, schools and kindergartens.<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /><ref name="HRW_Deadly Attacks" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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ICC prosecutors have issued warrants for Vladimir Putin and a Russian official responsible for adoptions in connection with the abduction of Ukrainian children into Russia. Investigators have submitted evidence of many breaches of the Geneva Convention in Russia's war in Ukraine.<ref> |
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On 25 February, [[Amnesty International]] stated that Russian forces had "shown a blatant disregard for civilian lives by using ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide area effects in densely populated areas". In addition, Russia has falsely claimed to have only used [[Precision-guided munition|precision-guided weapons]]. Amnesty International claimed that three attacks, in [[Vuhledar]], [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Kharkiv]] and [[Uman]], were likely to constitute [[war crime]]s.<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /> |
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{{Cite web |
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|title=Inside Russia's war crimes |
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|url=https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1025017/inside-russias-war-crimes |access-date=30 July 2023 |
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|website=The Week |
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|date=15 July 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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Moscow has denied any involvement in war crimes, a response Vittorio Bufacchi of Cork's University College says "has bordered on the farcical,"<ref>{{cite journal|first1=Vittorio|last1= Bufacchi |title=War crimes in Ukraine: is Putin responsible? |pages=6 | date=26 July 2022 |doi=10.1080/2158379X.2022.2105495 |volume=16 |issue=1|journal=Journal of Political Power|s2cid= 251124184 |doi-access=free |hdl=10468/13459 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> and its contention that the images coming out of Bucha were fabricated "a disingenuous response born by delusional hubris, post-truth on overdrive, (that) does not merit to be taken seriously." Even the usually fractured United States Senate came together to call Putin a war criminal.<ref>{{cite web |
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On 26 February, Ukrainian prime minister [[Denys Shmyhal]] said that Russia was committing war crimes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian prime minister accuses Russia of war crimes |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukrainian-prime-minister-accuses-russia-of-war-crimes/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=www.timesofisrael.com |publisher=[[The Times of Israel]] |archive-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226233911/https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/ukrainian-prime-minister-accuses-russia-of-war-crimes/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|work=Reuters |
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|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-unanimously-condemns-putin-war-criminal-2022-03-15/ |
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|title=U.S. Senate unanimously condemns Putin as war criminal |
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|author= Moira Warburton |
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|date=15 March 2022 |
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}}</ref> One of several efforts to document Russian war crimes concerns its repeated bombardment of markets and bread lines, destruction of basic infrastructure and attacks on exports and supply convoys, in a country where deliberate starvation of Ukrainians by Soviets the [[Holodomor]] still looms large in public memory.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Dan|last1=Sabbagh |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/24/war-crimes-dossier-to-accuse-russia-of-deliberately-causing-starvation-in-ukraine |title=War crimes dossier to accuse Russia of deliberately causing starvation in Ukraine |date= 24 September 2023|work=The Guardian}}</ref> Forcible deportation of populations, such as took place in Mariuopol, is another area of focus, since "(f)orced deportations and transfers are defined both as war crimes under the [[Fourth Geneva Convention]] and Additional Protocol II and Article 8 of the Rome Statute—and as crimes against humanity—under Article 7 of the [[Rome Statute]]. As both war crimes and [[crime against humanity|crimes against humanity]], they have several mechanisms for individual accountability, the International Criminal Court and also, at the individual state level, under [[universal jurisdiction]] and Magnitsky sanctions legislation.<ref> |
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{{cite journal |
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|first1=Victoria |
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|last1=Colvin |
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|first2=Phil |
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|last2=Orchard |
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|title=Forced deportations and the Ukraine war: Russian culpability in atrocity crimes |
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|doi=10.1177/26330024231167184 |
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|volume=3 |issue=2 |
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|date=28 March 2023 |journal=Violence|pages=281–300 |
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|s2cid=257852247 |
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|doi-access=free |
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}}</ref> |
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== Prohibited weapons == |
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On 1 and 2 March, the Russian artillery targeted a densely populated neighbourhood of [[Mariupol]], shelling it for nearly 15 hours. The neighbourhood was significantly destroyed as a result, with deputy mayor Sergei Orlov reporting that "at least hundreds of people [were] dead."<ref name="gunter" /><ref>{{cite web |date=2 March 2022 |title=Hundreds feared dead from 15-hour Russian attack on Mariupol, Ukraine |url=https://nypost.com/2022/03/02/hundreds-feared-dead-in-mariupol-ukraine-from-russian-shelling/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302184258/https://nypost.com/2022/03/02/hundreds-feared-dead-in-mariupol-ukraine-from-russian-shelling/ |archive-date=2 March 2022 |access-date=2 March 2022 |website=[[New York Post]]}}</ref> |
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Russian forces used [[chemical weapon]]s 465 times between 24 February 2022 and December 2023, according to Ukraine, including K-51 grenades, RGR grenades, Drofa-PM hand gas grenades, and RG-VO gas grenades, which contain an unknown chemical substance.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kondrat |first=Anastasiia |date=27 December 2023 |title=Russia has launched 465 chemical attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion |url=https://svidomi.in.ua/en/page/russia-has-launched-465-chemical-attacks-since-the-start-of-the-full-scale-invasion |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=Svidomi |language=en}}</ref> [[Forbes]] and CNN reported that they likely used [[CS gas]] (tear gas).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hambling |first=David |title=What We Know About Russian Chemical Weapon Attacks |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidhambling/2023/12/29/what-we-know-about-russian-chemical-weapon-attacks/ |access-date=31 January 2024 |website=Forbes |language=en |postscript=,}} citing {{cite news |first1=Nick Paton |last1=Walsh |first2=Kosta |last2=Gak |first3=Christian |last3=Streib |title=Gas, drones and convict recruits: Ukrainian soldiers describe Russia’s deadly surge on the frontlines |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/12/19/europe/ukraine-soldiers-russia-frontlines-cmd-intl/index.html |access-date=31 January 2024 |work=CNN |date=19 December 2023 |language=en}}</ref> |
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In May 2024, the [[United States Department of State]] imposed new sanctions against Russian entities and individuals due to Russian forces' use of [[chloropicrin]] against Ukrainian troops.<ref>{{cite web |title=Imposing New Measures on Russia for its Full-Scale War and Use of Chemical Weapons Against Ukraine |url=https://www.state.gov/imposing-new-measures-on-russia-for-its-full-scale-war-and-use-of-chemical-weapons-against-ukraine-2/ |website=state.gov |publisher=U.S. Department of State |access-date=2 May 2024 |language=en |date=1 May 2024}}</ref> |
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On 3 March, the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] released a statement saying that it had recorded at least 1006 civilian casualties in the first week of the invasion, but that it believed that "the real figures are considerably higher."<ref>{{cite web |date=3 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 3 March 2022 |url=https://ukraine.un.org/en/173923-ukraine-civilian-casualties-2400-3-march-2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305093826/https://ukraine.un.org/en/173923-ukraine-civilian-casualties-2400-3-march-2022 |archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref> |
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== Abduction and deportation == |
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On 6 March, the [[World Health Organization]] released a statement saying that it had evidence that multiple health care centres in Ukraine had been attacked, with Director-General [[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus]] saying that "attacks on healthcare facilities or workers breach medical neutrality and are violations of international humanitarian law."<ref>{{cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Ukraine health centres have been attacked, WHO chief says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-health-centres-have-been-attacked-who-chief-says-2022-03-06/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308195922/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-health-centres-have-been-attacked-who-chief-says-2022-03-06/ |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> |
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The International Criminal Court recognizes abduction and deportation as a war crime and the forced resettlement of children as a form of genocide.<ref>{{Cite news |date=26 July 2023 |title=Biden Orders U.S. to Share Evidence of Russian War Crimes With Hague Court |language=en |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/26/us/politics/biden-russia-war-crimes-hague.html |access-date=30 July 2023}}</ref> |
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=== Abduction of Ukrainian children === |
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On 24 March, Amnesty International accused Russia of having repeatedly violated international humanitarian law during the first month of the invasion by conducting indiscriminate attacks, including direct attacks on civilian targets. According to Amnesty International, verified reports and video footage demonstrate numerous strikes on hospitals and schools, and the use of inaccurate explosive weapons and banned weapons such as cluster bombs.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title="Everything is on fire": One month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/everything-is-on-fire-one-month-since-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/ |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref> |
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{{Main|Child abductions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces kidnapped more than 121,000 Ukrainian children and deported them to Russia's eastern provinces. The parents of some of the children had been killed by the Russian military. The Russian state Duma drafted a law formalizing the "adoption" of these children.<ref> |
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===Use of cluster munitions=== |
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{{Cite web |
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Reports on the use of cluster munitions have raised concerns about the heavy toll of immediate civilian casualties and the long-lasting danger of unexploded ordnance.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /><ref name="Wired_Cluster">{{Cite magazine |last=Lance |first=Rachel |title=The Enduring Danger of Cluster Bombs |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/russia-ukraine-cluster-bombs/ |access-date=2022-04-02 |issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine ratified the 2008 [[Convention on Cluster Munitions]], but the use of cluster munition in populated areas may already be deemed incompatible with principles of international humanitarian law prohibiting indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> |
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|last=Wilson |
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|first=James |
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|date=23 April 2022 |
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|title=Russia Kidnaps Ukrainian Children |url=https://www.eupoliticalreport.eu/russia-kidnaps-ukrainian-children/ |
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|access-date=29 April 2022 |language=en-US |
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}}</ref> The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that there was a "blatant threat of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian citizens without observing all the necessary procedures determined by the legislation of Ukraine.” and called on United Nations bodies to intervene to have the children returned to Ukraine.<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Schnell |
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|first=Mychael |
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|date=14 April 2022 |title=Ukraine: Deported children facing threat of 'illegal adoption' in Russia |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/3267579-ukraine-deported-children-facing-threat-of-illegal-adoption-in-russia/ |
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|access-date=29 April 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |
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|language=en-US |
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}}</ref> |
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On 1 June 2022, Ukrainian president [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy|Zelenskyy]] accused Russia of forcibly deporting more than 200,000 children from Ukraine, including orphans and children separated from their family. He said this was a "heinous war crime" and a "criminal policy," whose object was "not just to steal people but to make deportees forget about Ukraine and not be able to return."<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Nechyporenko |
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|first=Kostan |
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|date=2 June 2022 |title=More than 200,000 children deported to Russia from Ukraine, Zelensky says |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/russia-ukraine-war-news-06-02-22/h_60e8553772059b3692de446d084a6752 |
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|access-date=2 June 2022 }} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|last=i24NEWS |
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|title=Ukraine accuses Russia of forcibly deporting over 200,000 children |url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/ukraine-conflict/1654177141-ukraine-accuses-russia-of-forcibly-deporting-over-200-000-children |
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|access-date=2 June 2022 |website=I24news |
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|language=en |
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}}</ref> |
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According to Ukrainian officials and two witnesses, Russian forces forcibly deported thousands of residents from Ukraine to Russia during the [[Siege of Mariupol]].<ref> |
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The Vuhledar attack, at 10:30 (UTC) on 24 February, was the result of a [[OTR-21 Tochka|9M79 Tochka missile]], the missile landed next to a hospital and killed four civilians. Amnesty International describe its analysis as "irrefutable evidence of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law" by Russian forces.<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /> [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) found that the Vuhledar hospital attack used an 9N123 [[cluster munition]]. The 9N123 contains fifty 9N24 individual submunitions, which each split into 316 bomblets. HRW based its analysis on contacts with hospital and municipal administrations and multiple photographic evidence. HRW called for Russian forces to stop making "unlawful attacks with weapons that indiscriminately kill and maim."<ref name="HRW_UA_RU_cluster_munition" /> The press secretary of the Russian Federation [[Dmitry Peskov]] denied this information, saying that such types of ammunition are in service with the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite web |language=ru |url=https://ria.ru/20220301/bomby-1775810964.html |title=В Кремле опровергли сведения об использовании на Украине кассетных бомб |trans-title=The Kremlin denied reports of the use of cluster bombs in Ukraine |website=РИА Новости |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301114351/https://ria.ru/20220301/bomby-1775810964.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{cite web |
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|title=Hundreds of Ukrainians forcibly deported to Russia, say Mariupol women |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/04/hundreds-of-ukrainians-forcibly-deported-to-russia-say-mariupol-women |
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|website=The Guardian |
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|date=4 April 2022 |
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}} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|date=20 March 2022 |title=US decries 'disturbing' accounts of Ukrainians deported to Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/20/us-decries-disturbing-accounts-of-ukrainians-deported-to-russia |
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|access-date=22 March 2022 |website=www.aljazeera.com |
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}} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|date=20 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: US condemns 'unconscionable' forced deportations of civilians from Mariupol |
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|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/20/russia-bombed-mariupol-art-school-sheltering-400-people-says-ukraine |
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|access-date=2 April 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |
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}}</ref> On 24 March, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] claimed that the Russian army had forcibly deported about 6,000 Mariupol residents as "hostages" and put more pressure on Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |
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|date=24 March 2022 |title=Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the forced deportation of residents of Mariupol by Russia |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-mzs-ukrayini-shchodo-primusovoyi-deportaciyi-rosiyeyu-meshkanciv-mariupolya |
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|access-date=29 March 2022 |website=www.kmu.gov.ua |
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|publisher=[[Ukrainian Government]] |
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}} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|last=Vinograd |
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|first=Cassandra |
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|date=25 March 2022 |title=Rumors of 'filtration camps' and mass deportation in Ukraine raise old USSR fears |
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|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-invasion-ukraine-deportations-claims-kidnapping-rcna21542 |
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|access-date=29 March 2022 |website=NBC News |
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}}</ref> According to the Russian ministry of defense, residents of Mariupol had a "voluntary choice" whether to evacuate to Ukrainian- or Russian-controlled territory and that by 20 March about 60,000 Mariupol residents were "evacuated to Russia". Human Rights Watch was not been able to verify these accounts.<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|date=21 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Ensure Safe Passage, Aid for Mariupol Civilians |
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|publisher=Human Rights Watch |
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|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/21/ukraine-ensure-safe-passage-aid-mariupol-civilians |
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|access-date=19 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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The [[Embassy of the United States, Kyiv|US embassy in Kyiv]] cited the Ukrainian foreign ministry saying that 2,389 Ukrainian children had been illegally removed from Donetsk and Luhansk and taken to Russia.<ref> |
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On 27 February, Amnesty International stated that it had analysed evidence showing that Russian cluster munitions from a 220 mm [[BM-27 Uragan]] rocket had hit a preschool in [[Okhtyrka]] where civilians were taking shelter on 25 February, killing three, including a child. [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|UAV]] film showed four hits on the roof of the preschool, three on the ground next to the school, two injured or dead civilians, and pools of blood. Amnesty International analysed 65 photos and videos of the event and interviewed local residents.<ref name="Amnesty_UA_cluster_munitions_kill_child" /> ''[[Bellingcat]]'' stated that remains of the [[BM-27 Uragan#Rockets|9M27K rocket]] were found 200 metres east of the kindergarten. Russian forces were located west of Okhtyrka. Amnesty described the rocket type as "unguided and notoriously inaccurate", and described the attack as a potential war crime that should be investigated.<ref name="Amnesty_UA_cluster_munitions_kill_child" /> |
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{{Cite web |
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|date=22 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Kyiv claims Moscow forcefully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia |
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|url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-kyiv-claims-moscow-forcefully-deporting-thousands-of-ukrainian-children-to-russia-12572666 |
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|access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Sky News}} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|date=23 March 2022 |title=Russia is kidnapping children in Ukraine, says US embassy |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3171461/russia-kidnapping-children-ukraine-says-us-embassy |
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|access-date=22 March 2022 |website=South China Morning Post |
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}}</ref> |
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On 24 March, Ukraine's human rights [[ombudsman]] said that over 402,000 Ukrainians had been forcefully taken to Russia, including about 84,000 children.<ref> |
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On 4 March, Human Rights Watch reported that on 28 February Russian forces had fired cluster munitions into at least three residential areas in [[Kharkiv]], killing at least three civilians.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/04/ukraine-cluster-munitions-launched-kharkiv-neighborhoods |title=Ukraine: Cluster Munitions Launched Into Kharkiv Neighborhoods |work=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313140732/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/04/ukraine-cluster-munitions-launched-kharkiv-neighborhoods |url-status=live }}</ref> On 18 March, the number of civilians reportedly killed in Kharkiv exceeded 450 as consequence of the use of cluster munitions and explosive weapons in heavily populated areas of the city.<ref name="HRW_Deadly Attacks"/> Cluster munitions were repeatedly used also on [[Mykolaiv]] during separate attacks on 7, 11 and 13 March, causing civilian casualties and extensive destruction of non-military objects.<ref name="HRW_Mykolaiv" /> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last=Folmar |first=Chloe |
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|date=24 March 2022 |title=More than 400,000 Ukrainians taken to Russia against their will, official says |
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|url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/599686-over-400000-ukrainians-taken-to-russia-against-their-will |
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|access-date=25 March 2022 |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |
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}} |
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*{{Cite magazine |
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|last1=Qena |
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|first1=Nebi |
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|last2=Anna |
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|first2=Cara |
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|date=25 March 2022 |title=Moscow Has Forcibly Taken More than 400,000 Ukrainians to Russia, Ukraine Says |
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|url=https://time.com/6160765/ukrainians-taken-to-russia/ |
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|magazine=Time |
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|access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-date=24 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220424035919/https://time.com/6160765/ukrainians-taken-to-russia/ |
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|url-status=dead |
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}}</ref> Russian authorities said that more than 384,000 people, including over 80,000 children, had been evacuated to Russia from Ukraine and from the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.<ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|date=23 March 2022 |title=Over 384,000 people evacuated to Russia from Ukraine, LPR, DPR – Russian Defense Ministry |
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|url=https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/77276/?sphrase_id=82750 |access-date=29 March 2022 |work=[[Interfax]] |
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}}</ref> |
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Deportation of protected peoples such as civilians during war is prohibited by Article 49 of the [[Fourth Geneva Convention]].<ref> |
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=== Disrupting humanitarian corridors === |
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{{Cite web |
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[[File:Victim_of_a_Russian_attack_in_Mariupol.jpg|right|thumb|Body in the street in Mariupol]] |
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|last=Schmitt |
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During the [[Siege of Mariupol]], a number of attempts to establish a [[humanitarian corridor|humanitarian evacuation corridor]] to evacuate civilians from the city have been made, but have failed due to the corridor being targeted by Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matyas |first=David |date=8 March 2022 |title=Humanitarian Corridors in Ukraine: Impasse, Ploy or Narrow Passage of Hope? Humanitarian Corridors in Ukraine: Impasse, Ploy or Narrow Passage of Hope? |url=https://www.justsecurity.org/80576/humanitarian-corridors-in-ukraine-impasse-ploy-or-narrow-passage-of-hope/ |access-date=29 March 2022 |website= |publisher=Just Security}}</ref> On 5 March, a five-hour ceasefire was declared, but evacuations were quickly halted after shelling continued during the declared time.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60629851 |title=Siege of Mariupol: Fresh Russian attacks throw evacuation into chaos |work=[[BBC News]] |first=Joel |last=Gunter |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=5 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306024228/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60629851 |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, the [[International Committee of the Red Cross]] (ICRC) announced that a second attempt to establish an evacuation corridor had failed.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Safe passage for civilians from Mariupol halted for a second day; ICRC calls on parties to agree to specific terms |url=https://www.icrc.org/en/document/ukraine-safe-passage-civilians-mariupol-halted-second-day-icrc-calls-parties-agree-specific |access-date=29 March 2022 |publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine: Second attempt to evacuate civilians from Mariupol fails — live updates {{!}} DW {{!}} 6 March 2022 |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ukraine-second-attempt-to-evacuate-civilians-from-mariupol-fails-live-updates/a-61030032 |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/U8Kth |url-status=live}}</ref> On 7 March, the ICRC announced that it had found that one of the routes listed for evacuations during a ceasefire had been mined.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newsweek.com/evacuation-route-offered-fleeing-ukrainians-mined-1685418 |title=Evacuation Route Offered to Fleeing Ukrainians Was Mined—Red Cross |last=Rahman |first=Khaleda |work=[[Newsweek]] |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309083754/https://www.newsweek.com/evacuation-route-offered-fleeing-ukrainians-mined-1685418 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|first=Michael N. |
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|date=24 March 2022 |title=Deportation of Ukrainian Civilians to Russia: The Legal Framework |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/deportation-ukrainian-civilians-russia-legal-framework/ |
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|access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Lieber Institute West Point |
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}}</ref> On 7 June, [[Human Rights Watch]] specialist [[Tanya Lokshina]] emphasized this, reiterating that forcible involuntary deportation was itself a war crime, and called for Russia to stop this practice. In addition, [[Human Rights Watch]] and [[Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group]] reported cases where refugees were being intimidated and pressured to implicate [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] personnel for war crimes in long interrogation sessions, including the [[Mariupol theatre airstrike]].<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Lanting |
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|first=Bert |
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|date=7 June 2022 |title=HRW: Oekraïense vluchtelingen in Rusland worden onder druk ondervraagd |trans-title=HRW: Ukrainian refugees in Russia are being questioned under pressure |url=https://www.volkskrant.nl/gs-bedb8bfe |
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|access-date=10 June 2022 |website=de Volkskrant |
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|language=nl-NL |
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}}</ref> |
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{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
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=== Targeting of nuclear power plants === |
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|+Deportations due to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine |
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At 11:28pm local time on the 3 March 2022, a column of 10 Russian armored vehicles and two tanks cautiously approached the [[Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant]], Europe's largest.<ref>{{cite web |title=Прямая трансляция пользователя Запорізька АЕС |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYUT36YGOh8 |website=youtube |publisher=Запорізька АЕС |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="NPR110322" /><ref>{{cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Security Council debates Russian strike on Ukraine nuclear power plant |work=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113302 |access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref> The action commenced at 12:48am on the 4 March when Ukraine forces fired anti tank missiles and Russian forces responded with a variety of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades.<ref name="NPR110322" /> During approximately two hours of heavy fighting a fire broke out in a training facility outside of the main complex, which was extinguished by 6:20am,<ref name="AlJ040322">{{cite news |title=Ukraine nuclear power plant attack: All you need to know |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/4/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-attack-all-you-need-to-know |access-date=3 April 2022 |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=Update on the human rights situation in Ukraine (Reporting period: 24 February – 26 March) |url=https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/2022-03/HRMMU_Update_2022-03-26_EN.pdf |publisher=United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine}}</ref> though other sections surrounding the plant sustained damage.<ref name="NPR110322">{{cite news |title=Video analysis reveals Russian attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant veered near disaster |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1085427380/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-zaporizhzhia |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=NPR |date=11 March 2022}}</ref> That evening, the Kyiv US Embassy described the Russian attack of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a war crime,<ref>{{cite news |title=UN Security Council meets after Russia seizes second Ukrainian nuclear plant |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-05/russian-forces-seize-ukrainian-power-plant-as-advancement-stalls/100884702 |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation |date=5 March 2022}}</ref> though the US State Department quickly retracted this claim with the circumstances of the attack being studied<ref>{{cite news |title=Feds 'Assessing' Whether Russian Attack on Nuke Plant Was a War Crime |url=https://www.newsweek.com/feds-assessing-whether-russian-attack-nuke-plant-was-war-crime-1685168 |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=Newsweek |date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=US calls attack on Ukraine nuclear plant a possible 'war crime' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220304-us-calls-attack-on-ukraine-nuclear-plant-a-possible-war-crime |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=France24 |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> and [[the Pentagon]] declining to describe the attack as a war crime.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pentagon won't call attack at nuclear plant a war crime, yet |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/rush-hour/pentagon-wont-call-attack-at-nuclear-plant-a-war-crime-yet/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=News Nation |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing "nuclear terror" by ordering the attack on the plant<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. calls Russian attack on Ukraine nuclear power plant a "war crime" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chernobyl-fears-ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-fire-russian-shelling/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |publisher=CBS News |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> and Ukraine regulatory authorities claimed that Russian forces fired artillery shells at the plant, setting fire to the training facility.<ref>{{cite web |title=Updated information about Zaporizhzhia NPP (15:00) |url=https://snriu.gov.ua/en/news/updated-information-about-zaporizhzhia-npp-1500 |website=State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zelenskiy says 'Europe must wake up' after assault sparks nuclear plant fire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-fire-zaporizhzhia-russian-shelling |access-date=3 April 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 March 2022}}</ref> The Russian Ambassador to the UN responded that Russian forces were fired upon by Ukrainian "saboteurs" from the training facility, which they set fire to when they left.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia, Ukraine trade barbs at UN over nuclear plant attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/4/russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-at-un-over-nuclear-plant-attack |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=Aljazeera |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> Later that day the Director General of the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] confirmed that the plants' safety systems had not been effected and there had been no release of radioactive materials, however he was "...gravely concerned about the situation at Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. The main priority was to ensure the safety and security of the plant, its power supply and the people who operate it".<ref>{{cite news |title=Update 11 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-11-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine |access-date=3 April 2022 |agency=International Atomic Energy Agency |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> |
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|- |
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!scope="col"|Time period |
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!scope="col"|Deported |
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!scope="col"|Source |
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|- |
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|scope="row"| 18 February |
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| 90,000 <small>(DNR and LNR)</small> |
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| Ombudsman of Ukraine<ref name="theins.ru"> |
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{{Cite web |
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|url=https://theins.ru/news/250202 |
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|title=Россия создала фильтрационные лагеря для украинцев еще до начала войны — омбудсмен Украины Людмила Денисова|website=The Insider |
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}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|scope="row"| 24 February – 24 March 2022 |
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| 402,000 |
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| Ombudsman of Ukraine<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://interfax.com.ua/news/general/817485.html|title=Оккупанты принудительно вывезли в РФ 402 тыс. украинцев, из которых 84 тыс. – дети, подчеркивает Денисова|website=Интерфакс-Украина}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|scope="row"| 24 February – 11 April 2022 |
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| 700,000 |
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| Ombudsman of Ukraine<ref name="theins.ru" /> |
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|- |
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|scope="row"| 24 February – 28 April 2022 |
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| 1,000,000 |
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| Ombudsman of Ukraine<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|url=https://www.ukrinform.ru/rubric-ato/3470134-denisova-rossmi-soobsili-cto-v-rf-iz-ukrainy-vyvezli-bolse-milliona-ludej.html |
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|title=Денисова: росСМИ сообщили, что в рф из Украины вывезли больше миллиона людей |
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|website=www.ukrinform.ru |
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}}</ref> |
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|- |
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|} |
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=== Arbitrary detention and forced disappearance === |
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Attacks on nuclear power facilities are mainly governed by Article 56 of Additional [[Protocol I]] to the [[Geneva Conventions]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Treaties, States Parties and Commentaries |journal=INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/Article.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=3376730ECD9DF7B1C12563CD0051DD37 |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref> which generally prohibits attacks against civilian nuclear power plants.<ref name="Moore060322" /><ref name="ISAF-Dann130322" /> According to international scholars: |
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[[United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] reported 270 cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of civilians, eight of whom were later found dead. The OHCHR informed the [[United Nations Human Rights Council|Human Rights Council]] that arbitrary detention of civilians, including 21 journalists and civil society activists, had become "widespread" in territory controlled by Russian forces and affiliated armed groups. Nine of them had already reportedly been released.<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> The Human Rights Monitoring Mission also verified the arrests and detention of 24 public officials and civil servants, including three mayors, by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups of the self-proclaimed republics of [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] and [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]].<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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* the Russian assault possibly breached Article 56<ref name="Moore060322">{{cite news |last=Moore |first=George |title=How international law applies to attacks on nuclear and associated facilities in Ukraine |url=https://thebulletin.org/2022/03/how-international-law-applies-to-attacks-on-nuclear-and-associated-facilities-in-ukraine/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=Bulletin of Atomic Scientists |date=6 March 2022}}</ref> but probably did not constitute a war crime;<ref name="ISAF-Dann130322">{{cite web |last=Dannenbaum |first=Tom |title=The Attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant and Additional Protocol I |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/attack-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/ |website=Lieber Institute West Point |access-date=16 March 2022 |date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313184942/https://lieber.westpoint.edu/attack-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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* Ukrainian forces initiating the action by firing anti tank missiles may have breached the Passive Precautions section of Article 56, paragraph 5.<ref name="ISAF-Dann130322" /> |
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International humanitarian law allows the internment of civilians in armed conflict only when they individually pose a security threat, |
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=== Attacks on cultural properties === |
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<ref> |
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{{Main|Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion}} |
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{{Cite journal |
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The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects has raised concerns about the proximity of historic monuments, works of art, churches and other cultural properties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pevny |first=Olenka Z. |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ukraine's cultural heritage faces destruction as Russian bombing continues |url=http://theconversation.com/ukraines-cultural-heritage-faces-destruction-as-russian-bombing-continues-178563 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}</ref><ref name="Reid_Heritage">{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Anna |date=15 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian heritage is under threat – and so is the truth about Soviet-era Russia |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/15/ukrainian-heritage-under-threat-truth-soviet-era-russia |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-19 |title=Vladimir Putin's war endangers Ukraine's cultural heritage |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/03/19/vladimir-putins-war-endangers-ukraines-cultural-heritage |access-date=2022-04-02 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-25 |title=Culture in the crossfire: Ukraine's key monuments and museums at risk of destruction in the war |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/25/ukraine-culture-in-peril |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> The Russian forces damaged or destroyed the [[Kuindzhi Art Museum]] in Mariupol, the Soviet-era [[Shchors cinema]] and a Gothic revival library in Chernihiv,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-15 |title=Museum building heavily damaged in Ukraine's battle-ravaged city of Chernihiv |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/15/museum-building-heavily-damaged-in-ukraines-battle-ravaged-city-of-chernihiv |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> the [[Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center|Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial complex]] in Kyiv,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-03 |title=Babyn Yar: Anger as Kyiv's Holocaust memorial is damaged |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60588885 |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref> the Soviet-era [[Slovo Building|Slovo building]]<ref name="Reid_Heritage" /> and the regional state administration building in Kharkiv, a 19th-century wooden church in Viazivka, Zhytomyr Region,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian invaders destroy 19th-century wooden church in Zhytomyr Region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3423396-russian-invaders-destroy-19thcentury-wooden-church-in-zhytomyr-region.html |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=www.ukrinform.net}}</ref> and the [[Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum|Historical and Local History Museum in Ivankiv]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-02-28 |title=Ukraine museum reportedly burns down in Russian invasion, destroying 25 works by folk artist Maria Prymachenko |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/02/28/ukraine-museum-burns-down-in-russian-invasion-destroying-25-works-by-folk-artist-maria-prymachenko |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> On 1 April, [[UNESCO]] stated that at least 53 Ukrainian historical sites, religious buildings, and museums are confirmed to have sustained damage during the Russian invasion.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-01 |title=Over 50 landmark Ukraine sites damaged in Russian invasion: UN |publisher=[[France 24]] |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220401-over-50-landmark-ukraine-sites-damaged-in-russian-invasion-un |access-date=2022-04-03}}</ref> |
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|last=Goodman |
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|first=Ryan |
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|date=2009 |
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|title=The Detention of Civilians in Armed Conflict |
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|journal=The American Journal of International Law |
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|volume=103 |
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|issue=1 |
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|pages=53 |
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|doi=10.2307/20456721 |
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|issn=0002-9300 |
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|jstor=20456721 |
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|s2cid=145124847 |
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|doi-access=free |
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}} |
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*{{Cite web |
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|last=Sassòli |
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|first=Marco |
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|title=Internment |url=https://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e313 |
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|access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Oxford Public International Law |
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}}</ref> and all detained persons whose prisoners of war (PoW) status is in doubt must be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention until their status has been determined.<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Dörr |
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|first=Oliver |
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|title=Detention, Arbitrary |url=https://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e776 |
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|access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Oxford Public International Law |
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}}</ref> Reports of missing civilians, most of them male, were rampant to the west of Kyiv as Russian troops withdrew. One woman in [[Makariv|Makhariv]] told reporters she saw Russian soldiers take her son-in-law at gunpoint from their house, and that he had not been seen since. Another man disappeared in [[Shpaky|Shptky]], while attempting to deliver petrol to a friend. Only his burned out and bullet-ridden car was later found by Ukrainian troops.<ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last=Gunter |
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|first=Joel |
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|date=3 May 2022 |title=In Ukrainian villages, a desperate wait for news of the missing |language=en-GB |
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|work=BBC News |
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|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61249160 |
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|access-date=3 May 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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On 5 July, the [[Human Rights Council]] said that arbitrary detention of civilians had become "widespread" OHCHR also reported that since the beginning of the invasion the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] and [[National Police of Ukraine|National Police]] had arrested over one thousand pro-Russian supporters, and that 12 cases were likely to amount to enforced disappearance by Ukrainian law enforcement bodies.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /><ref> |
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Cultural property enjoys special protection and international humanitarian law.<ref name="biicl">{{Cite web |last1=Hausler |first1=Kristin |last2=Drazewska |first2=Berenika |title=How does international law protect Ukrainian cultural heritage in war? Is it protected differently than other civilian objects? |url=https://www.biicl.org/documents/11200_how_does_international_law_protect_ukrainian_cultural_heritage_in_war.pdf |publisher=British Institute of International and Comparative Law}}</ref> Protocol I of the Geneva Convention and the [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict]] (both binding on Ukraine and Russia) prohibit states parties to use historic monuments in support of the military effort and to make them object of acts of hostility or reprisals.<ref name="biicl" /> The [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict#Second Protocol to the Hague Convention|Second Protocol to the Hague Convention]] allows attacks on cultural property only in case of "imperative military necessity" provided that there is no feasible alternative. Attacks against cultural heritage amount to war crimes and can be prosecuted before the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref name="biicl" /> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Ban |
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|first=Lauren |
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|date=6 July 2022 |title=UN human rights expert warns of arbitrary detentions and mass civilian displacement in Ukraine |
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|url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/07/un-human-rights-expert-warns-of-arbitrary-detentions-and-mass-civilian-displacement-in-ukraine/ |
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|access-date=6 July 2022 |website=www.jurist.org |
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|language=en-US |
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}}</ref> |
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As of 15 May 62 victims (44 men and 18 women) of enforced disappearance had been released by Russian and Russian-affiliated armed groups. Most often the victims were released in "exchanges of prisoners" between Russia and Ukraine.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> According to the OHCHR, such exchanges might constitute cases of [[hostage]] taking; if Russia's release of detained Ukrainian civilians was made conditional on Ukraine's release of Russian prisoners of war, this, in armed conflict, amounts to a war crime.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> |
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===Attacks on hospitals and medical care facilities=== |
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{{See also|Medical neutrality#Ukraine (2022)}} |
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[[File:Ukrainian civilian killed during the Russian bombing of Chernihiv.jpg|thumb|Photo distributed by the Ukrainian [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]] purportedly showing a Ukrainian civilian killed during the Russian bombing of Chernihiv]] |
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As of 26 March, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified 74 attacks on medical facilities, 61 of which in Government-controlled territory (e.g. air strikes on hospitals in Izium, Mariupol, [[Ovruch]], [[Volnovakha]] and Vuhledar), nine occurring in territory controlled by Russian affiliated armed groups, and four in contested settlements. Until that date, six perinatal centres, maternity hospitals, and ten children hospitals had been hit, resulting in the complete destruction of two children's hospital and one perinatal hospital.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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=== Filtration camps === |
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On 24 February, a cluster munition exploded at the Central City Hospital in Vuhledar, killing at least four civilians and injuring 10, and damaging ambulances and the hospital.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> On 8 March the newly refurbished central hospital in [[Izium|Izyum]], south of Kharkiv, was destroyed,<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-26 |title=Ukraine war: WHO says attacks on health facilities are rising daily |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/health-60866669 |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine war: Izyum hospital destroyed by shelling |url=https://news.sky.com/video/ukraine-war-izyum-hospital-destroyed-by-shelling-12560771 |access-date=2022-04-02 |website=Sky News}}</ref> followed on 11 March by an attack to a psychiatric hospital of the same city.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2022 |title=Ukraine says Russian forces hit psychiatric hospital but no one hurt |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russian-forces-hit-psychiatric-hospital-ukraine-regional-governor-2022-03-11/ |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref> On 9 March a Russian air strike destroyed Mariupol hospital No. 3, which was clearly identifiable as civilian object, resulting in injuries for 17 civilians, one of whom was a woman at a late stage of pregnancy; neither she nor her unborn child survived.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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{{Main|Russian filtration camps for Ukrainians}} |
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Evacuees from Mariupol raised concerns about the treatment of fellow evacuees by Russian troops at a Russian filtration camp that reportedly housed civilians until they were evacuated. Ukrainian officials have called similar camps "modern-day [[concentration camps]]". Refugees reported torture and killings at filtration camps, especially in Mariupol.<ref name="BBC_filtration" /><ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last=Miller |
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|first=Christopher |
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|title=One Ukrainian family's perilous journey through Russia's 'filtration camps' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/05/26/ukraine-filtration-camps-00034862 |access-date=20 June 2022 |website=POLITICO |
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|date=26 May 2022 |language=en |
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}}</ref> This included beatings, electrocution and suffocation with plastic bags over the heads.<ref name="BBC_filtration" /> |
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The refugees were fingerprinted, photographed from all sides, and had their phones searched. Anyone believed to be a "Ukrainian Nazi" was taken to Donetsk for interrogation. Refugees told reporters the camps lacked basic necessities and most evacuations forced refugees into Russia.<ref> |
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On 30 March, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there have been 82 verified Russian attacks on medical care in Ukraine – including attacks on healthcare facilities, patients, and healthcare workers – since 24 February. WHO estimated at least 72 killed and 43 injured in these attacks.<ref>{{cite news |title=WHO: Attacks on health care are part of Russian strategy, with Ukrainian civilians used as "chess pieces" |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-30-22/h_bf05c0ea69c717d32dfc661e76fb134e |access-date=31 March 2022 |agency=CNN |date=30 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last1=Luckhurst |
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|first1=Toby |
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|last2=Pona |
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|first2=Olga |
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|date=25 April 2022 |title='You can't imagine the conditions' – Accounts emerge of Russian detention camps |
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|language=en-GB |
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|work=BBC News |
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|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61208404 |
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|access-date=25 April 2022}} |
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*{{Cite news |
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|url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-filtration-camps-osce/31825625.html |
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|title=OSCE Envoy Says Evidence Of 'Filtration Camps' Emerging From Areas Of Ukraine Claimed By Russian Forces |
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|website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |
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}}</ref> |
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On 5 July the OHCHR expressed concern about the whereabouts and treatment of those still in the filtration process who were possibly detained in unknown locations at high risk of torture and ill-treatment.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> |
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== Areas hit by indiscriminate attacks == |
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== Attacks on civilians == |
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{{Main|Attacks on civilians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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{{see also|Siege of Mariupol}} |
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{{Summarize section|date=August 2023}} |
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[[File:House on Bohatyrska Street after shelling of 14 March 2022 (01).jpg|thumb|Shelled residential buildings in Kyiv, 14 March 2022]] |
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[[File:Kharkiv Oblast after shelling (6).jpg|thumb|Shelled residential buildings in [[Kharkiv Oblast]]]] |
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[[File:Zaporizhzhia after Russian shelling, 2022-10-09 (41).jpg|thumb|Damage to a residential building in Ukrainian-controlled [[Zaporizhzhia]] following the [[Zaporizhzhia residential building airstrike|airstrike]] of 9 October 2022]] |
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[[File:Infant body killed by russian nazies.jpg|thumb|Body of a child killed in a Russian [[Vinnytsia missile strikes|missile attack on the city centre of Vinnytsia]]]] |
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The charter of the [[International Criminal Court]], defines attacks against civilian infrastructure constitute crimes of war.<ref> |
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{{Citation |
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|title=An Introduction to the International Criminal Court By William A. Schabas (Cambridge University Press, 2001, x + 406 pp.) |
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|date=2 December 2003 |
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|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/9789047413134_014 |
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|work=Israel Yearbook on Human Rights, Volume 33 (2003) |
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|pages=245–246 |
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|access-date=31 July 2023 |
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|publisher=Brill {{!}} Nijhoff |
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|doi=10.1163/9789047413134_014 |
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|isbn=9789047413134 |
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|s2cid=242008869 |
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|last1=Dinstein |
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|first1=Yoram |
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}}</ref> The [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]], said Russia made [[indiscriminate attack]]s and strikes on civilian assets like houses, hospitals, schools and kindergartens.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> On 25 February, Amnesty International said Russian forces had "shown a blatant disregard for civilian lives by using ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely-populated areas". Russia falsely claimed it only used [[Precision-guided munition|precision-guided weapons]], Amnesty said, and attacks on [[Vuhledar]], [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Kharkiv]] and [[Uman]], were likely crimes of war.<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks" /> |
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A 3 March statement from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it recorded at least 1006 civilian casualties in the first week of the invasion, but believed the real figures were "considerably higher."<ref> |
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On 24 February, the [[Russian Armed Forces]], working together with pro-Russian rebels, besieged the port city of Mariupol, leading to heavy casualties as supplies were cut from the locals.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vasovic |first=Aleksandar |date=24 February 2022 |title=Port city of Mariupol comes under fire after Russia invades Ukraine |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/strategic-city-mariupol-wakes-blasts-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/ |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{cite web |
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|date=3 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Civilian casualties as of 24:00 3 March 2022 |url=https://ukraine.un.org/en/173923-ukraine-civilian-casualties-2400-3-march-2022 |
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|url-status=live |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305093826/https://ukraine.un.org/en/173923-ukraine-civilian-casualties-2400-3-march-2022 |
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|archive-date=5 March 2022 |access-date=4 March 2022 |work=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] |
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}}</ref> |
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The [[World Health Organization]] said on 6 March that multiple health care centres had been attacked, and Director-General [[Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus]] noted that "attacks on healthcare facilities or workers breach [[medical neutrality]] and violate [[international humanitarian law]]."<ref> |
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==== Mariupol theatre airstrike ==== |
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{{cite web |date=6 March 2022 |title=Ukraine health centres have been attacked, WHO chief says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-health-centres-have-been-attacked-who-chief-says-2022-03-06/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308195922/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-health-centres-have-been-attacked-who-chief-says-2022-03-06/ |archive-date=8 March 2022 |access-date=6 March 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}}</ref> |
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{{main|Mariupol theatre airstrike}} |
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Russia repeatedly violated international humanitarian law with indiscriminate attacks and direct attacks on civilian targets Amnesty said, and verified reports and footage demonstrated numerous strikes on hospitals and schools and the use of inaccurate explosive weapons and banned weapons such as cluster bombs.<ref> |
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On 16 March, Russian Armed Forces bombed the [[Donetsk Regional Drama Theatre]] in [[Mariupol]], [[Ukraine]], which was in use as an [[air raid shelter]]; Ukrainian authorities stated it was holding up to 1,200 civilians during the [[siege of Mariupol]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Bachega |first=Hugo |title=Ukraine war: Russia attacks theatre sheltering civilians, Mariupol says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60772331 |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=BBC News |date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316210451/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-60772331 |url-status=live }}</ref> The theatre was largely destroyed in the attack, which Ukrainian authorities described as a [[war crime]].<ref name="Sky1">{{cite news |last=Hayes |first=Andy |title=Ukraine war: People buried under rubble after Mariupol theatre sheltering hundreds is hit by Russian bomb, officials say |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-mariupol-theatre-where-hundreds-of-people-sheltering-bombed-by-russian-forces-officials-claim-12567393 |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=Sky News |date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316195527/https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-mariupol-theatre-where-hundreds-of-people-sheltering-bombed-by-russian-forces-officials-claim-12567393 |url-status=live }}</ref> Casualty figures are currently not known; Ukrainian authorities stated that people were trapped under the burning rubble of the collapsed theatre following the attack, but ongoing shelling in the area has complicated recovery efforts.<ref name="Sky1" /><ref name="CNN1">{{cite news |last=Lister |first=Tim |title=Russia bombs theater where hundreds sought shelter and 'children' was written on grounds |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/16/europe/ukraine-mariupol-bombing-theater-intl/index.html |access-date=16 March 2022 |work=CNN |date=16 March 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316184436/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/16/europe/ukraine-mariupol-bombing-theater-intl/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|date=24 March 2022 |title="Everything is on fire": One month since the Russian invasion of Ukraine |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/everything-is-on-fire-one-month-since-the-russian-invasion-of-ukraine/ |
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|access-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Amnesty International]] |
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}}</ref> |
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On 5 July, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights [[Michelle Bachelet]] reported that most civilian casualties documented by her office were caused by the Russians' repeated use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and that the heavy civilian toll from indiscriminate weapons and tactics had become "indisputable".<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> |
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The theatre is one of a number of Ukrainian heritage and cultural sites that have been [[Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion|deliberately targeted]] and destroyed by invading Russian forces.<ref name="CNN1" /> Satellite images of the theatre taken on 14 March show the word "children" spelled out in Russian in two locations outside the theatre in an attempt to identify it to invading forces as a civilian air raid shelter containing children and not a military target.<ref name="Sky1" /> Mariupol city council officials stated that the theatre was the largest single air raid shelter in the city, and at the time of the attack it contained only women and children.<ref name="CNN1" /> |
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Reports on the [[Use of cluster munitions in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|use of cluster munitions]] in populated areas of Ukraine raised concerns about civilian casualties.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /><ref name="Wired_Cluster"> |
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In response to criticisms, Russia accused the Ukraine-backed [[Azov Battalion]] of carrying out the theatre bombing, without providing evidence.<ref name="Sky1" /> |
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{{Cite magazine |
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|last=Lance |
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|first=Rachel |
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|title=The Enduring Danger of Cluster Bombs |
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|magazine=[[Wired (magazine)|Wired]] |
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|url=https://www.wired.com/story/russia-ukraine-cluster-bombs/ |
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|access-date=2 April 2022 |issn=1059-1028 |
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}}</ref> Neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine ratified the 2008 [[Convention on Cluster Munitions]],<ref name="UN_treaty_collection"> |
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{{cite web |
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|url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=IND&mtdsg_no=XXVI-6&chapter=26&clang=_en |
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|title=United Nations Treaty Collection |
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|access-date=11 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> but principles of international humanitarian law prohibit [[Indiscriminate attack|indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks]].<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said cluster munitions were used by both Russian armed forces and [[Russian people's militias in Ukraine|pro-Russian separatists]], and to a lesser degree by Ukrainian armed forces.<ref name="OHCHR_June_Cluster_Munitions"> |
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{{Cite report |
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|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |
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|title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |
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|date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |
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|access-date=9 August 2022 |at=para. 27–30 |
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}}</ref> |
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''[[The New York Times]]'' reported on 19 June 2023 it had seen over 1000 photographs of cluster munitions in populated areas. It said most were unguided missiles with a propensity for collateral damage to civilians. |
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==== Mariupol hospital airstrike==== |
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{{main|Mariupol hospital airstrike}} |
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On 9 March, Russian forces bombed a maternity and children's hospital in Mariupol.<ref>{{Cite news |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Maternity hospital hit by Russian air strike |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60675599 |url-status=live |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309204706/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60675599 |archive-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> Several sources in Mariupol reported that the hospital was clearly identifiable and operational at the time it was hit.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> The hospital was destroyed,<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine war: Aftermath of Mariupol hospital shelling |url=https://news.sky.com/video/ukraine-war-aftermath-of-mariupol-hospital-shelling-12561770 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310014831/https://news.sky.com/video/ukraine-war-aftermath-of-mariupol-hospital-shelling-12561770 |archive-date=10 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=[[Sky News]]}}</ref> and seventeen civilians, including children and pregnant women, were injured. One pregnant woman died with her baby from injuries sustained in the attack.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] called the bombing of a maternity hospital a "genocide",<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=Russian bombing of maternity hospital 'genocide', says Zelenskiy |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/09/ukraine-mariupol-civilians-russia-war |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=the Guardian}}</ref> the Minister of Foreign Affairs [[Dmytro Kuleba]] called it a "petrifying war crime",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dmytro Kuleba twitter |url=https://twitter.com/dmytrokuleba/status/1501597722171875331 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310012827/https://twitter.com/DmytroKuleba/status/1501597722171875331 |archive-date=10 March 2022 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Twitter}}</ref> and the British prime minister [[Boris Johnson]] described it as "depraved".<ref>{{cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=UK's Johnson condemns reported Mariupol hospital attack |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/09/uk-ukraine-crisis-johnson-mariupol |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310014818/https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/09/uk-ukraine-crisis-johnson-mariupol |archive-date=10 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=[[euronews]]}}</ref> |
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=== Kyiv and Chernihiv regions === |
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The picture of a pregnant woman lying on a stretcher, being carried through the bombed-out courtyard by first responders,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Pregnant woman, baby die after Russian bombing in Mariupol {{!}} AP News |url=https://archive.ph/H7hfu |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=archive.ph}}</ref> circulated around the world over the internet and in newspapers. The unnamed woman was moved to another hospital and on 13 March died after her child was stillborn; she had suffered numerous injuries in the bombing, including a crushed pelvis and detached hip, which contributed to the stillbirth of her child.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Pregnant woman and baby die after hospital shelled |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60734706 |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 March 2022 |title=Pregnant woman and her baby die after Mariupol hospital attack |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/14/ukraine-war-pregnant-woman-and-her-baby-die-after-mariupol-hospital-attack |access-date=24 March 2022 |website=euronews}}</ref> The doctors operated on them by candlelight.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> |
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Human Rights Watch said that in [[Staryi Bykiv]] Russian forces rounded up at least six men on 27 February and executed them.<ref> |
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Another pregnant woman photographed in the bombing, Marianna Vyshegirskaya, a popular blogger in Mariupol, gave birth to a daughter the following day.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Mariupol hospital attack: Pregnant woman hurt in bombing gives birth |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60715492 |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> Vishegirskaya became the target of a disinformation campaign that started trending on [[Telegram (software)#Cloud-based messages|Russian Telegram]] and was repeated in a [[Twitter|tweet]] from the Russian embassy in the UK.<ref name="Macaluso-2022">{{cite web |last=Macaluso |first=Nora |date=16 March 2022 |title=Social Media Posts Misrepresent Victims of Hospital Bombed in Mariupol |url=https://www.factcheck.org/2022/03/social-media-posts-misrepresent-victims-of-hospital-bombed-in-mariupol/ |access-date=20 March 2022 |website=FactCheck.org |publisher=Annenberg Public Policy Center of the University of Pennsylvania}}</ref> The Russian embassy claimed that Vishegirskaya was an actress "wearing some good makeup" and that the aftermath of the attack had been staged.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 March 2022 |title=Mariupol hospital attack: Pregnant woman hurt in bombing gives birth |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60715492 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> That conspiracy theory was proved false and Twitter took down the embassy's post, but the fake news had already spread across the pro-Russia social media and blogs.<ref name="Macaluso-2022"/><ref>{{Cite news |date=10 March 2022 |title=Twitter blocks Russian claims on hospital attack |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-60700642 |access-date=24 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|date=3 April 2022 |title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |
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|access-date=4 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |
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|language=en |
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}}</ref> The soldiers left on 31 March after more executions. Most property in Staryi Bykiv and Novyi Bykiv was damaged or destroyed, including the school.<ref> |
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{{Cite web |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=9 April 2022 |title=After Russians' retreat, scarred Ukrainian village recounts month of terror |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/09/after-russians-retreat-scarred-ukrainian-village-recounts-month-of-terror |url-access=registration |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}} |
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{{Cite web |last=Dzhulay |first=Dmytro |date=4 May 2022 |title='They Were Shot In The Head': Beloved Son, Son-In-Law Among Victims Of 'Deliberate Cruelty' In Russian War On Ukraine |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russians-deliberate-cruelty/31834414.html |access-date=4 May 2022 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty |language=en}} |
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====Mass shelling of residential areas in Mariupol==== |
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</ref> |
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On 28 February, five civilians defending the post office in {{ill|Peremoha, Baryshivka settlement hromada, Brovary Raion, Kyiv Oblast|lt=Peremoha|uk|Перемога (Баришівська селищна громада)}} were summarily executed by theRussians, who later blew up the post office.<ref> |
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On 2 March, deputy mayor Sergiy Orlov reported that Russian artillery targeted a densely populated neighborhood of Mariupol, shelling it for nearly 15 hours. He said that one populated residential district on the city's left bank had been "nearly totally destroyed".<ref name="gunter">{{cite news |last=Gunter |first=Joel |title=Ukrainian city of Mariupol 'near to humanitarian catastrophe' after bombardment |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |access-date=2 March 2022 |agency=bbc.com |date=2 March 2022 |archive-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220302202213/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60585603 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Cite news |last=Tolstyakova |first=Kira |date=26 July 2022 |title=Post Office Massacre: Russian Soldiers Shot Five Ukrainian Civilians Seeking To Defend Their Village, Investigation Finds |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-post-office-massacre-russian-troops/31960917.html |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> |
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On 7 March, a Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces drone near [[European route E40|E40 highway]] outside Kyiv filmed Russian troops shooting a civilian with his hands up.<ref name="E40BBC2"> |
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The city was cut off from electricity, food, gas and water. A 6-year-old girl was reported to have died from [[dehydration]] under the ruins of her home in Mariupol on 8 March.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukrainian Girl Dies of Thirst Under Rubble of Home: Mayor|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/03/08/ukrainian-girl-dies-of-thirst-under-rubble-of-home-mayor-a76827|author=AFP|work=The Moscow Times|date=8 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|date=1 April 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Gruesome evidence points to war crimes on road outside Kyiv |website=BBC News |
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|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60949791 |
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|access-date=2 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> When Ukrainian forces recaptured the area four weeks later, a BBC news crew found the burned bodies of the man and his wife near their burned car. At least ten dead bodies lined the highway, some also burnt. Two wore recognisable Ukrainian military uniforms. The drone footage was submitted to Ukrainian authorities and London's [[Metropolitan Police]].<ref name="E40BBC2" /> |
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Russia progressively 26 March 2022 towards [[Donbas]].<ref> |
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Satellite photos of Mariupol taken the morning of 9 March by Maxar Technologies, a contractor for the US military, showed "extensive damage" to high-rise apartments, residential homes, grocery stores and other civilian infrastructure. This was determined by comparing before and after photos.<ref>{{cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=9 March 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine invasion updates / Satellite photos of Mariupol, Ukraine show damage from Russian attacks: Grocery stores, homes and shopping centers have gone up in smoke. |url=https://www.space.com/mariupol-ukraine-damage-satellite-photos |access-date=15 March 2022 |website=space.com |publisher=Future US, Inc. |quote= |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313065623/https://www.space.com/mariupol-ukraine-damage-satellite-photos |url-status=live }}</ref> The Mariupol council made a statement that the damage to the city has been "enormous". It has estimated that approximately 80% to 90% of the city's infrastructure has been significantly damaged due to shelling, of which almost 30% were destroyed beyond repair.<ref>{{cite news |last=Aloisi |first=Silvia |title=Shattered dreams |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/fleeing-mariupol-teenagers-tell-destruction-shattered-dreams-2022-03-18/ |website=Reuters |date=18 March 2022 |agency=Reuters |access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> Reporting from Mariupol, [[Reuters]] reporter Pavel Klimov said that "all around are the blackened shells" of tower block dwellings.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Klimov |first1=Pavel |last2=Popeski |first2=Ron |title=Mariupol, on the front line of Ukraine's war |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/dead-buildings-tower-over-uncollected-corpses-mariupol-front-line-ukraines-war-2022-03-18/ |website=Reuters.com |publisher=Reuters |access-date=19 March 2022 |location=Mariupol, Ukraine |language=English |date=18 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{Cite news |last=Audureau |first=William |last2=Maad |first2=Assma |last3=David |first3=Pascaline |last4=Breteau |first4=Pierre |date=5 April 2022 |title=Massacre de Boutcha : ce que l'on sait sur la découverte des corps de civils |language=fr |trans-title=Bucha massacre: what we know about the discovery of civilian corpses |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2022/04/05/guerre-en-ukraine-ce-que-l-on-sait-du-massacre-de-boutcha_6120745_4355770.html |access-date=9 April 2022}}</ref> [[Borodianka]]'s mayor said Russian soldiers fired through every open window as their convoy moved through town. Retreating Russians also [[antipersonnel mine|mined]] the town. Its inhabitants later reported that Russian occupiers had deliberately targeted them and blocked rescue efforts.<ref name="npr-return"> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last=Sullivan |
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|first=Becky |
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|date=7 April 2022 |title=Ukrainians return to Borodyanka after Russian withdrawal and find their town in ruins |
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|language=en |
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|work=[[NPR]] |
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|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/06/1091308623/ukraine-borodyanka-civilians-russia |access-date=14 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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Kyiv regional police reported pn 15 April that 900 civilian bodies were found in the region after the Russians withdrew, with more than 350 in [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]]. They said almost 95% of them were "simply executed". Bodies continued to be found under rubble and in mass graves.<ref name="ap160422"> |
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On 16 March [[BBC News]] reported that nearly constant Russian attacks had turned residential neighbourhoods into "a wasteland."<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Bachega |first1=Hugo |last2=Popovych |first2=Maksym |title=Ukraine war: Infection and hunger as hundreds hide in Mariupol cellar |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60736845 |website=bbc.com |publisher=BBÇ News |access-date=19 March 2022 |date=16 March 2022}}</ref> On the same day it reported that it had obtained drone footage showing "a vast extent of damage, with fire and smoke billowing out of apartment blocks and blackened streets in ruins."<ref name=":0" /> A city resident told the BBC that "in the left bank area, there's no residential building intact, it's all burned to the ground." The left bank contained a densely populated residential district.<ref name="gunter" /> She also said that the city centre is "unrecognisable."<ref name=":0" /> On the same day the [[Institute for the Study of War]] (ISW) reported that Russian forces continued to commit war crimes in Mariupol including "targeting civilian infrastructure."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mason |first1=Clark |last2=Barros |first2=George |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Kateryna |title=RUSSIAN OFFENSIVE CAMPAIGN ASSESSMENT, MARCH 16 |url=https://www.understandingwar.org/backgrounder/russian-offensive-campaign-assessment-march-16 |website=ISW – Institute for the Study of War |publisher=ISW – Institute for the Study of War |access-date=19 March 2022 |language=English |date=16 March 2022}}</ref> |
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{{Cite web |last=Schreck |first=Adam |last2=Burns |first2=Robert |last3=Fisch |first3=Yesica |date=15 April 2022 |title=Police: More than 900 civilian bodies found in Kyiv region |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-zelenskyy-kyiv-business-black-sea-22d7279f32c15d4a7037a2195113fb57 |access-date=16 April 2022 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref> As of 15 May, over 1,200 civilian bodies had been recovered in Kyiv region alone.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> |
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The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said another 132 were found in [[Makariv]], and accused Russians of torturing and killing them.<ref> |
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On 18 March, [[Sky News]] from the UK described an aerial and a ground video as both showing "Apocalyptic destruction in Mariupol."<ref name="Patel-Carstairs-2022">{{cite web |last=Patel-Carstairs |first=Sunita |title=Ukraine war: Videos show apocalyptic destruction in Mariupol as Russia says it is 'tightening its encirclement' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-videos-show-apocalyptic-destruction-in-mariupol-as-russia-says-it-is-tightening-the-noose-12569115 |website=Sky News |publisher=Sky New |access-date=20 March 2022 |date=18 March 2022}}</ref> Sky News also reported that it had verified the locations of both videos to destroyed residential areas of Mariupol, also including some commercial properties.<ref name="Patel-Carstairs-2022" /> |
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{{cite web |last=Winsor |first=Morgan |last2=Shapiro |first2=Emily |last3=Deliso |first3=Meredith |last4=El-Bawab |first4=Nadine |last5=Pereira |first5=Ivan |last6=Hutchinson |first6=Bill |last7=Shalvey |first7=Kevin |date=17 June 2022 |title=Russia-Ukraine updates: 2 US veterans who joined Ukrainian forces missing |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/russia-ukraine/?id=83931446#83983531 |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=[[ABC News]]}} |
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{{cite web |last1=Lock |first1=Samantha |last2=Walters |first2=Joanna |last3=Selby |first3=Jenn |last4=Chao-Fong |first4=Léonie |last5=Skopelti |first5=Clea |last6=Ratcliffe |first6=Rebecca |date=10 April 2022 |title=European Commission pledges €1bn to support Ukraine – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/09/russia-ukraine-war-latest-zelenskiy-calls-for-firm-global-response-to-war-at-kramatorsk-train-station-live?page=with:block-6251681e8f083703c7bd903b |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=[[The Guardian]]}} |
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On 19 March 2022 a Ukrainian police officer in Mariupol made a video in which he said "Children, elderly people are dying. The city is destroyed and it is wiped off the face of the earth." The video was authenticated by the Associated Press.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russians push deeper into port city of Mariupol as locals plead for help: "Children, elderly people are dying" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mariupol-russia-ukraine-war-locals-plead-for-help/ |website=CBSNews.com |publisher=CBS News, Associated Press |access-date=19 March 2022 |date=19 March 2022}}</ref> |
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</ref> |
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On 5 July, the OHCHR said it was working on over 300 reports of deliberate Russian killings of civilians.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /> with ''prima facie'' evidence, witness statements, and Ukrainian intercepts of Russian military conversations,<ref> |
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As of 20 March local authorities have estimated that at least 2,300 people were killed during the siege.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anna |first=Cara |date=20 March 2022 |title=Russia bombs Mariupol art school where 400 were sheltering, Ukraine officials say |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/russia-bombed-mariupol-art-school-where-400-were-sheltering-ukraine-officials-say/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> |
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{{cite web |last=Chance |first=Matthew |date=8 April 2022 |title='Kill them all, for f**k sake': Shocking intercepted audio reveals conversation between Russian soldiers |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/04/08/audio-intercepts-russian-soldiers-chance-vpx.cnn |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=[[CNN]] Video |agency=Reuters}} |
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{{Cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kate |last2=McKernan |first2=Bethan |date=7 April 2022 |title=Russian soldiers 'discussed killing civilians' in Ukraine in radio intercepts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/07/russian-soldiers-discussed-killing-civilians-in-radio-intercepts |access-date=5 May 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}} |
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On 20 March 2022 it was announced by Ukrainian authorities that Russian troops had [[Mariupol art school bombing|bombed Art School No. 12]] in Mariupol where the Ukrainian authorities claimed about 400 people were taking shelter during the battles and bombings on the city.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russian troops 'everywhere' in Mariupol as art school sheltering 400 is bombed |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/20/mariupol-art-school-civilians-russia/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=School where hundreds were believed to be sheltering is bombed in Mariupol as fighting rages for key port city |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/20/europe/russia-invasion-ukraine-03-20-intl/index.html |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> |
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</ref> and Russian contingency planning for mass graves.<ref> |
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{{Cite web |last=Day |first=Michael |date=5 April 2022 |title=Russian state news demands 'liquidation' of Ukrainians as evidence of war crimes mounts |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/russia-news-ria-novosti-demands-liquidation-ukraine-ukrainians-war-crimes-civilians-putin-1558378 |access-date=9 April 2022 |website=[[i (newspaper)|i]]}}</ref> |
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=== Bucha massacre === |
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==== Missile attack and shelling in Donetsk ==== |
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{{Main|Bucha massacre}} |
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On 14 March, a [[OTR-21 Tochka]] missile [[2022 Donetsk bombing|hit]] the city of [[Donetsk]], which a Russian investigation said had killed 23 local civilians. Russia and the [[Donetsk People's Republic|DPR]] said that the missile was launched by the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] and accused Ukraine of committing war crimes; the Ukrainian government denied this accusation, claiming the missile was launched by the Russian Armed Forces as part of a [[false flag]] operation.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |date=14 March 2022 |title=Russia accuses Kyiv of deadly missile attack on Donetsk |website=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/14/russia-accuses-kyiv-of-deadly-missile-attack-on-donetsk |access-date=19 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=15 March 2022 |title=Russia accuses Ukraine of missile strike on Donetsk which Ukraine denies |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-accuses-ukraine-missile-strike-donetsk-ukraine-denies-2022-03-14/ |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref> |
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{{Summary too long|Bucha massacre|date=August 2023}} |
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[[File:The city of Bucha after liberation from the Russians 01.jpg|thumb|Photo of civilians shot in Bucha, one with wrists tied, 3 April 2022]] |
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[[File:DestroyedcarinBucha.png|thumb|A corpse inside a crushed car in Bucha, 2 April 2022]] |
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[[File:Місто Буча після звільнення від російських окупантів.jpg|thumb|Executed civilians with wrists bound in plastic restraints, in a basement in Bucha, 3 April 2022]] |
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Russian forces north of Kyiv withdrew in late March, Videos emerged of bodies in the streets, at least twenty in civilian clothing.<ref name="Stern, Kelly, Parker, April 2"> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last1=Stern |
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|first1=David L. |
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|first2=Meg |
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|last2=Kelly |
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|first3=Claire |
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|last3=Parker |
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|date=2 April 2022 |title=Bodies, rubble line the streets of Bucha following Russian retreat |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/02/bucha-bodies-russia-retreat-kyiv/ |
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|access-date=2 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] saw at least twenty civilians corpses in the street, all shot in the back of the head. At least one had its hands tied, Another 270 to 280 were buried in [[mass grave]]s.<ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|date=2 April 2022 |title=War in Ukraine: Street in Bucha found strewn with dead bodies |
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|work=[[BBC News]] |
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|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60967463 |
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|access-date=2 April 2022 |
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}}</ref><ref name="Stern, Kelly, Parker, April 2" /> Police said on 15 April they had found 350 bodies in Bucha, most with gunshot wounds.<ref name="ap160422" /> |
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Drone video verified by ''The New York Times'' showed two Russian armoured vehicles firing at a civilian walking a bicycle. A later video showed the body lying next to a bicycle.<ref> |
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On 25 March, the [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] declared that they were looking into allegations of indiscriminate shelling by the Ukrainian armed forces in Donetsk and in other territory controlled by the self-proclaimed [[Donetsk People's Republic|republics of Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]].<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> |
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{{cite news |last=Snodgrass |first=Erin |date=6 April 2022 |title=Russian soldiers open fire on cyclist in Bucha in video verified by The New York Times |agency=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/nyt-russian-soldiers-open-fire-cyclist-in-bucha-in-video-2022-4 |access-date=4 April 2022}}</ref> ''[[The Economist]]'' reported a man trapped at a checkpoint who took artillery fire then was captured, beaten and tortured, then taken outside to be shot. He played dead until he could flee.<ref> |
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{{cite news |date=5 April 2022 |title=One killing among many in a Kyiv suburb |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/04/05/one-killing-among-many-in-a-kyiv-suburb |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405132927/https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/04/05/one-killing-among-many-in-a-kyiv-suburb |archive-date=5 April 2022 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> [[BBC News]] reported tied bodies of civilians at a temple, run over by a tank.<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|date=4 April 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Ukraine investigates alleged execution of civilians by Russians |work=[[BBC News]] |
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|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60981228 |
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|access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404142316/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60981228 |
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|url-status=live |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]] released video of 18 mutilated bodies in Zabuchchya, Bucha district.<ref name="thetimes2"> |
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==== Missile strike on Kramatorsk railway station ==== |
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{{cite news |
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{{main|Kramatorsk railway bombing}} |
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|last=Callaghan |
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On April 8 at least 50 civilians were killed by a [[Tochka]] missile while waiting to be evacuated from the city of Kramatorsk. Ukrainian officials accused Russia of carrying out the attack, initially claiming that an [[9K720 Iskander|Iskander]] missile was used; the accusations were dismissed by the Russian Ministry of Defense, which indicated that Tochka missiles are only used by Ukrainian forces. According to Ukrainian sources at least 300 were wounded in the strike and at least 50 killed, including at least 5 children. Thousands of people were waiting at the station to be evacuated to safer regions of Ukraine when the attack occurred. One of the missiles had "For the Children" written upon it in Russian. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that the Russians knew that the train station was full of civilians when they attacked it.<ref>{{cite web |last=CNN |first=Olga Voitovych and Nathan Hodge |title=Dozens killed in train station missile strike in eastern Ukraine as civilians try to flee Russian onslaught |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/08/europe/kramatorsk-railway-station-strike-intl/index.html |website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Kramatorsk station attack: What we know so far |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61036740 |website=BBC News |date=8 April 2022}}</ref> |
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|first=Louise |
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|title=Bodies of mutilated children among horrors the Russians left behind |
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|date=2 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Times]] |
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|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bodies-of-mutilated-children-among-horrors-the-russians-left-behind-5ddnkkwp2 |
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|url-access=subscription |
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|access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220404113203/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bodies-of-mutilated-children-among-horrors-the-russians-left-behind-5ddnkkwp2 |
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|archive-date=4 April 2022 |url-status=live |
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}}</ref> A Ukrainian soldier said some bodies had their ears cut off and the teeth of others had been pulled.<ref name="thetimes2" /> [[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] reported a Russian "execution cellar" used by Russian forces.<ref> |
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{{cite news |last=Sachalko |first=Borys |date=5 April 2022 |title=Inside An 'Execution Cellar' In Ukraine |language=en |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-execution-cellar/31787326.html |url-status=live |access-date=5 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407203455/https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-execution-cellar/31787326.html |archive-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> Russian soldiers killed a woman and her 14-year-old after they threw smoke grenades into a basement where they hid.<ref> |
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{{cite web |
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|title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |
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|website=Human Rights Watch |
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|date=3 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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Russian tanks entered Bucha shooting randomly at house windows as they drove down the streets.<ref name="HRW30March">{{Cite web |
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===Chernihiv Oblast=== |
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|date=30 March 2022 |title=Devastation and Loss in Bucha, Ukraine: Life for Civilians in a Town Encircled by Russian Forces |
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|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/30/devastation-and-loss-bucha-ukraine |
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|via=Human Rights Watch |
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}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' said snipers in high-rise buildings shot at anyone that moved.<ref name="NYT"> |
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{{cite web |
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|last1=Berehulak |
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|first1=Daniel |
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|last2=Gall |
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|first2=Carlotta |title=Bucha's Month of Terror |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/11/world/europe/bucha-terror.html |website=The New York Times |
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|date=11 April 2022 |url-status=live |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411144041/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/11/world/europe/bucha-terror.html |
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|archive-date=11 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> A witness told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Russians "were killing people systematically. I personally heard how one sniper was boasting that he 'offed' two people he saw in apartment windows..."<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|title=Bucha Residents Describe 'Systematic' Killings By Russian Troops |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-bucha-killings-russia-/31785129.html |
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|access-date=5 April 2022 |website=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |language=en |
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|archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404124245/http://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-bucha-killings-russia-/31785129.html |
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|url-status=live |
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|last1=Stek |
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|first1=Levko |
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}}</ref> Troops fired at civilians seeking food and water, witnesses said, and ordered them back inside without basic necessities like water and heat. Russian troops shot indiscriminately at buildings and refused medical aid to injured civilians, HRW said.<ref name="HRW30March" /> |
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Russian soldiers checked documents and killed anyone who had fought in [[War in Donbas (2014–2022)|Donbas]] or had tattoos of right-wing or Ukrainian symbols, said a witness. In the last days of occupation, [[Kadyrovites|Kadyrovite]] Chechen fighters shot at every civilian they met.<ref name="vottak2022"> |
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====Chernihiv bombing==== |
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{{cite news |
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{{main article|2022 Chernihiv bombing}} |
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|url=https://vot-tak.tv/novosti/03-04-2022-rasstrely-zhitelej-buchi/ |
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|title="Стреляли либо в затылок, либо в сердце". Рассказ свидетеля казней жителей Бучи в оккупации |
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|trans-title="They were either shot in the back of the head or in the heart". Eyewitness account of the execution of the inhabitants of Bucha during the occupation |
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|work=Vot-Tak.tv |
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|language=Russian |
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|date=3 April 2022 |first=Alik |
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|last=Spiridonov |
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|access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404094310/https://vot-tak.tv/novosti/03-04-2022-rasstrely-zhitelej-buchi/ |
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|url-status=live}} |
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*{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/04/bucha-survivor-one-man-tortured-cut-cheek-shot-heart/ |
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|newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |
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|title=Bucha survivor: One man was tortured … They cut out his cheek and shot him in the heart |
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|date=4 April 2022 |access-date=5 April 2022 |language=en |
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|archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202949/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/04/04/bucha-survivor-one-man-tortured-cut-cheek-shot-heart/ |
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|url-status=live |
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}}</ref> A resident said Russians checked cell phones for evidence of "anti-Russian activity" before they took people away or shot them.<ref name="ABC03April"> |
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{{cite news |
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|date=3 April 2022 |title=Ukraine authorities discover 410 bodies in Bucha, accusing Russia of war crimes and a massacre |
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|language=en-AU |
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|work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |
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|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-massacre-city-strewn-with-bodies/100963106 |url-status=live |
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|access-date=4 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403230416/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-04/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-massacre-city-strewn-with-bodies/100963106 |
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|archive-date=3 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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[[Associated Press]] saw charred bodies on a residential street near a playground in Bucha on 5 April. One had a bullet hole in its skull, another was the burned body of a child. They could not identify them or determine how they died.<ref>{{cite web |
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On 3 March, Russian forces destroyed two schools and several apartment blocks in [[Chernihiv]], killing 47 civilians.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> Most of them were standing in line at a food store [[Chernihiv breadline massacre|waiting for bread]], when a Russian air strike with eight [[Unguided bomb|unguided aerial bombs]] hit them.<ref>{{cite news |title=Death toll from Russian air strikes on Chernihiv city rises to 47, local authorities say |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/death-toll-russian-air-strikes-chernihiv-city-rises-47-local-authorities-say-2022-03-04/ |work=[[Reuters]] |date=4 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306193717/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/death-toll-russian-air-strikes-chernihiv-city-rises-47-local-authorities-say-2022-03-04/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Amnesty International]] did not identify any military targets near the site of the attack.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Russian 'dumb bomb' air strike killed civilians in Chernihiv – new investigation and testimony |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/ukraine-russian-dumb-bomb-air-strike-kills-civilians-in-chernihiv-new-investigation-and-testimony/ |work=[[Amnesty International]] |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=9 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309170515/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/ukraine-russian-dumb-bomb-air-strike-kills-civilians-in-chernihiv-new-investigation-and-testimony/ |url-status=live }}</ref> This action is regarded as a war crime by Amnesty International.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=У результаті авіаудару російською некерованою бомбою в Чернігові загинули цивільні |url=https://www.amnesty.org.ua/u-rezultati-aviaudaru-rosijskoyu-nekerovanoyu-bomboyu-v-chernigovi-zagynuly-czyvilni/ |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Amnesty International Ukraine |language=uk |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310013823/https://www.amnesty.org.ua/u-rezultati-aviaudaru-rosijskoyu-nekerovanoyu-bomboyu-v-chernigovi-zagynuly-czyvilni/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Matilda Bogner, Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, stated that the bombing violated the principles of [[Distinction (law)|distinction]], of [[Proportionality (law)#International humanitarian law|proportionality]], the rule on feasible precautions and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks.<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /> |
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|url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/associated-press-journalists-bucha-civilian-killings-bucha-1.6409330 |
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|title=Associated Press journalists witness more evidence of civilian killings, torture in Bucha |
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|work=[[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]] |
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|agency=[[Associated Press]] |
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|date=5 April 2022 |access-date=6 April 2022 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407202951/https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/associated-press-journalists-bucha-civilian-killings-bucha-1.6409330 |
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|url-status=live |
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}}</ref> Ukrainian investigators found [[Decapitation|beheadings]], mutilation and incinerated corpses, and the next day three more bodies in a glass factory, ''[[The Washington Post]]'' reported. At least one body was booby trapped, mined with tripwires.<ref> |
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{{cite news |
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|title=In Bucha, the scope of Russian barbarity is coming into focus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/06/bucha-barbarism-atrocities-russian-soldiers/ |
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|newspaper=Washington Post |
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|date=7 April 2022 |
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}}</ref> HRW reported "extensive evidence of summary executions... and torture" in Bucha and 16 apparently unlawful killings, nine summary executions and seven indiscriminate killings of civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |
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|date=21 April 2022 |title=Ukraine: Russian Forces' Trail of Death in Bucha |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/21/ukraine-russian-forces-trail-death-bucha |access-date=23 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |
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|language=en |
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}}</ref> |
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The ''New York Times'' on 19 May released video of Russian paratroopers leading a group of civilians, clearly in Russian custody minutes before their execution. The video confirms eyewitness accounts.<ref> |
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===Kyiv Oblast=== |
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{{Cite news |
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{{see also|Kyiv offensive (2022)}} |
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|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/world/europe/russia-bucha-ukraine-executions.html |
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|title=New Evidence Shows How Russian Soldiers Executed Men in Bucha |
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|first1=Yousur |
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|last1=Al-Hlou |
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|first2=Masha |
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|last2=Froliak |
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|first3=Evan |
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|last3=Hill |
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|first4=Malachy |
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|last4=Browne |
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|first5=David |
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|last5=Botti |
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|newspaper=The New York Times |
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|date=19 May 2022 |
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}}</ref> |
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By 8 August 458 bodies were recovered, including 9 children; 419 were killed with weapons and 39 died of natural causes possibly related to the occupation.<ref>{{Cite web |
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[[File:Ukrainian civilians and soldiers take shelter under a bridge in Kyiv.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian civilians and soldiers take shelter under a bridge in Irpin, 5 March 2022]] |
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|date=8 August 2022 |title=At least 458 Ukrainians died in the Bucha community as a result of the actions of the Russians |
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|url=https://babel.ua/en/news/82626-at-least-458-ukrainians-died-in-the-bucha-community-as-a-result-of-the-actions-of-the-russians |
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|access-date=13 September 2022 |website=babel.ua |
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|language=en}} |
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*{{Cite news |
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|date=8 August 2022 |title=Accounting of bodies in Bucha nears completion |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/ukraine-bucha-bodies/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809120452/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/ukraine-bucha-bodies/ |
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|archive-date=9 August 2022 |access-date=13 September 2022 |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |
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|language=en |
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}}</ref> |
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On 7 December OHCHR reported that the [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] had documented at least 73 unlawful killings of civilians in Bucha and were still confirming another 105.<ref name="ohchr.org"> |
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====Irpin shelling==== |
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{{Cite web |
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{{main article|Irpin refugee column shelling}} |
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|title=UN report details summary executions of civilians by Russian troops in northern Ukraine |
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|url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/12/un-report-details-summary-executions-civilians-russian-troops-northern |
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|date=7 December 2022 |access-date=25 March 2023 |website=OHCHR |
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|language=en |
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}}</ref> |
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=== Kharkiv region === |
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On 6 March 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. local time, the Russian Armed Forces repeatedly shelled an [[Intersection (road)|intersection]] in [[Irpin]] that hundreds of civilians were using to escape to Kyiv, whilst Ukrainian forces fired mortar rounds at Russian forces from a military position about 180 meters from the intersection.<ref>{{cite news |last=Addario |first=Lynsey |title=Russian forces fire on evacuees, leaving 4 people dead outside Kyiv. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-irpin-civilian-death.html?smid=wa-share|work=The New York Times |access-date=14 March 2022 |date=6 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313060745/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-irpin-civilian-death.html?smid=wa-share |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="HRW March62022">{{cite web|title=Ukraine: Russian Assault Kills Fleeing Civilians|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/08/ukraine-russian-assault-kills-fleeing-civilians|work=Human Rights Watch|date=8 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309140827/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/08/ukraine-russian-assault-kills-fleeing-civilians|url-status=live}}</ref> Human Rights Watch accused the Russian army of carrying out an indiscriminate and disproportionate attack.<ref name="HRW March62022" /> It was part of an [[Battle of Irpin|assault on Irpin]]. Eight civilians were killed,<ref name="HRW March62022" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Ukrainian Family's Dash for Safety Ends in Death|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukrainian-family-killed-war.html|author=Lynsey Addario, Andrew E. Kramer|work=The New York Times|date=6 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022|archive-date=9 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309002522/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukrainian-family-killed-war.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Two Ukrainian children killed 'in front of my own eyes' while trying to evacuate, official says |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/06/russian-forces-shelling-irpin/ |first1=Paulina|last1=Villegas|first2=David L.|last2=Stern|first3=Sarah|last3=Cahlan |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=6 March 2022 |access-date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309012618/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/06/russian-forces-shelling-irpin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> including two children killed by a mortar strike.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukrainian Family's Dash for Safety Ends in Death|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukrainian-family-killed-war.html|author=Lynsey Addario, Andrew E. Kramer|work=The New York Times|date=6 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ukraine: Russian Assault Kills Fleeing Civilians|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/08/ukraine-russian-assault-kills-fleeing-civilians|work=Human Rights Watch|date=8 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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[[File:Cemetery in Izium made during Russian occupation (07).jpg|thumb|Bodies being exhumed from mass graves in Izium]] |
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{{Main|Izium mass graves}} |
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On 15 September 2022, after Russian forces were [[Battle of Izium (2022)|driven out of Izium]] hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers, were found in the woods near the city.<ref name="Maloletka"/><ref name="theguardianizium"> |
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{{Cite web |
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|last1=Koshiw |
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|first1=Isobel |
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|last2=Tondo |
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|first2=Lorenzo |
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|date=16 September 2022 |title='We don't know where the rest of the bodies went': the search for answers in Izium |
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|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/16/some-hanged-themselves-the-work-to-find-answers-amid-iziums-mass-grave |
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|url-status=live |
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|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916172015/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/16/some-hanged-themselves-the-work-to-find-answers-amid-iziums-mass-grave |archive-date=16 September 2022 |access-date=17 September 2022 |website=The Guardian |
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|language=en}}</ref> One of the larger graves bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of at least 17 Ukrainian soldiers.<ref name="Maloletka"> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last1=Maloletka |
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|first1=Evgeniy |
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|date=16 September 2022 |title=Ukraine's president says a new mass grave is found near a recaptured city |publisher=[[NPR]] |
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|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/09/16/1123400735/ukraines-president-says-a-new-mass-grave-is-found-near-a-recaptured-city |access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916081103/https://www.npr.org/2022/09/16/1123400735/ukraines-president-says-a-new-mass-grave-is-found-near-a-recaptured-city |archive-date=16 September 2022 |
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}}</ref> Ukrainian investigators said 447 bodies were found: 414 of them civilians (215 men, 194 women, 5 children), 22 soldiers, and 11 bodies whose gender had notyet been determined as of 23 September. While some casualties were caused by artillery fire<ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|date=16 September 2022 |title=Mass Grave Found in Ukraine Town Retaken from Russia: Zelensky |
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|publisher=[[Kyiv Post]] |
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|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/russias-war/mass-grave-found-in-ukraine-town-retaken-from-russia-zelensky.html |
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|url-status=live |
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|access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916082440/https://www.kyivpost.com/russias-war/mass-grave-found-in-ukraine-town-retaken-from-russia-zelensky.html |
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|archive-date=16 September 2022 |
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}}</ref> and lack of healthcare,<ref> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last1=Bachega |
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|first1=Hugo |
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|last2=Murphy |
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|first2=Matt |
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|date=16 September 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Hundreds of graves found in liberated Izyum city - officials |publisher=[[BBC News]] |
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|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62922674 |
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|url-status=live |
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|access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916191135/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-62922674 |
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|archive-date=16 September 2022 |
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}}</ref> most showed signs of violent death and 30 of torture and summary execution, including ropes around their necks, bound hands, broken limbs and genital amputation.<ref> |
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{{Cite web |
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|title=В Ізюмі закінчили ексгумацію – підняли 447 тіл, серед них багато жінок, є діти |
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|url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/09/23/7368817/ |
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|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927161234/https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/09/23/7368817/ |
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|archive-date=27 September 2022 |access-date=26 September 2022 |website=Українська правда |
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|language=uk |
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}}</ref><ref name=":TGIZIUM"> |
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{{Cite news |
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|last1=Harding |
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|first1=Luke |
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|date=16 September 2022 |title=Ukraine says victims from Izium mass grave show signs of torture |
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|work=[[The Guardian]] |
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|location=[[Kyiv]] |
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|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/16/ukraine-mass-grave-with-440-bodies-discovered-in-recaptured-izium-says-police-chief |access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916161701/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/16/ukraine-mass-grave-with-440-bodies-discovered-in-recaptured-izium-says-police-chief |
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|archive-date=16 September 2022 |
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}} |
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*{{cite news |
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|url=https://www.ft.com/content/74ab5209-7df9-4eab-ba2b-8a189dcaf4ee |
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|title=Mass grave found in retaken Ukrainian city of Izyum |
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|url-access=subscription |
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|publisher=[[Financial Times]] |
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|access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-date=18 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918083518/https://www.ft.com/content/74ab5209-7df9-4eab-ba2b-8a189dcaf4ee |
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|url-status=live |
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}}</ref> |
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In [[Kupiansk]], local law enforcement found the bodies of a family of three and their neighbour, shot at close range in mid-September and buried in a mass grave. The bodies had bullet wounds to the chest and head. Automatic weapon casings were found in a nearby cellar. On 6 October, police found two bodies of tortured men in a brick-making workshop, one with a gunshot wound.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=8 October 2022 |title=Ukraine uncovers mass graves with murdered civilians in recently liberated Kupyansk-Vuzlovyi |work=The New Voice of Ukraine |editor-last=Shcherbak |editor-first=Alla |url=https://english.nv.ua/nation/ukraine-uncovers-mass-graves-with-murdered-civilians-in-recently-liberated-kupyansk-vuzlovyi-50275475.html |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref> |
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==== Bombing of Kyiv ==== |
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{{see also|Battle of Kyiv (2022)}} |
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{{Plain image with caption|image= Житловий будинок на вул. Лобановського, 6-А після обстрілу.jpg|caption=Residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, after an attack. 26 February 2022.|align=right|caption position=bottom}} |
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Ukraine's capital [[Kyiv]], a city of some 3 million people, was among the targets of Russian airstrikes.<ref>{{citation|title=People in Ukraine describe the moment they awoke in a war zone as Russian forces bombed the cities where they live|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-invades-ukraine-eyewitnesses-to-bombing-of-kyiv-odessa-kharkiv-2022-2|work=Business Insider|first1=Joshua|last1=Zitser|first2=Sophia|last2=Ankel|first3=Bill|last3=Bostock|first4=Bethany|last4=Dawson|date=24 February 2022| access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> Kindergartens and orphanages were also shelled.<ref>{{citation|title=Russia accused of war crimes in Ukraine after 'shelling kindergarten and orphanage' during invasion|url=https://inews.co.uk/news/world/russia-war-crimes-ukraine-invasion-kindergarten-orphange-shelled-1484074|work=i news|first=Claire|last=Gilbody-Dickerson|date=25 February 2022| access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> |
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On 5 October, mass graves were also found in [[Lyman, Ukraine|Lyman]], Ukrainian troops and law enforcement found 110 trenches containing graves, some for children, at the Nova Maslyakivka cemetery. Both civilians and soldiers, the 55 bodies showed "explosive and projectile injuries, as well as bullet injuries". Among the dead were a family and their 1-year-old child.<ref>{{Cite news |date=11 October 2022 |title=Mass grave with 55 bodies found in Lyman, Ukraine |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://news.yahoo.com/mass-grave-55-bodies-found-040323944.html |access-date=29 October 2022 |via=Yahoo News}}</ref> 34 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were also found, in total, 144 bodies were found in the city, 108 of which in mass graves, among the dead, 85 were civilians.<ref> |
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===Sumy Oblast=== |
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{{Cite news |date=14 October 2022 |title=Ukraine completes exhumation of soldiers at Lyman mass grave |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-completes-exhumation-soldiers-lyman-mass-grave-2022-10-14/ |url-access=registration |access-date=29 October 2022}}</ref> Witnesses said Russian troops killed everyone who helped Ukrainian soldiers, and forced locals to bury the bodies. They said many bodies were left for days in the street. Many dead Russian soldiers were also found.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Pohorilov |first=Stanislav |others=Photographs via Hromadske |date=5 October 2022 |title=Mass graves of civilians found in liberated Lyman |work=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/10/5/7370531/ |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=December 2023}} |
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====Bombing of Sumy==== |
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In the evening and throughout the night on 7 March Russian forces executed an airstrike on Sumy's residential neighbourhood. About 22 people were killed, including three children.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sumy airstrikes: 22 killed, another child retrieved from rubble dead |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/9/7329639/ |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309110246/https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2022/03/9/7329639/ |url-status=live }}.</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=9 March 2022 |title=14-й день війни: Військові злочини ворога в Сумах та Чернігові |url=https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/508853-14-y-den-voyny-voennye-prestupleniya-vraga-v-sumah-i-chernigove |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=ФОКУС |language=uk |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309175627/https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/508853-14-y-den-voyny-voennye-prestupleniya-vraga-v-sumah-i-chernigove |url-status=live }}</ref> Under the procedural guidance of the Sumy District Prosecutor's Office, criminal proceedings have been instituted for violating the laws and customs of war.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2022 |title=War crimes of the Russian Federation: as a result of an air strike on the residential sector killed 21 civilians, including 2 children |url=https://uacrisis.org/en/voyenni-zlochyny-rf16 |access-date=11 March 2022 |website=Uacrisis.org |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308213133/https://uacrisis.org/en/voyenni-zlochyny-rf16 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Trostianets === |
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On 21 March 2022 during the [[Battle of Sumy]], a Russian [[Sumykhimprom chemical plant ammonia leak|airstrike]] damaged one of the [[ammonia]] tanks at a Sumykhimprom [[fertilizer]] factory located in the suburbs of [[Sumy]], [[contaminating]] land within a 2.5 km radius including the villages of Novoselytsya and Verkhnya Syrovatka.<ref>{{cite news |title=Live updates: Ammonia leak contaminates area in east Ukraine |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/live-updates-ukraine-officials-say-russians-bombed-school/2022/03/20/b350573e-a820-11ec-8628-3da4fa8f8714_story.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |access-date=21 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Nava |first=Victor I. |date=21 March 2022 |title=Ammonia leak reported at Ukraine chemical plant after Russian airstrike |url=https://gazette.com/news/us-world/ammonia-leak-reported-at-ukraine-chemical-plant-after-russian-airstrike/article_8c58a574-54c1-5723-91e6-6842308c1fa0.html |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Colorado Springs Gazette}}</ref> The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that [[Ukrainian nationalists]] had mined ammonia and chlorine storage "with the aim of mass poisoning of residents.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Guardian staff and [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]]|date=21 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian town told to shelter after shelling causes ammonia leak at chemical factory |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/21/ukrainian-town-told-to-shelter-after-shelling-causes-ammonia-leak-at-chemical-factory |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=the Guardian}}</ref> |
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{{See also|Russian occupation of Sumy Oblast}} |
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After [[Trostyanets]] in [[Sumy Oblast]] was retaken, the morgue reported that at least one person had been tortured and killed by Russians, and young people abducted. The hospital was also shelled; the locals accused the Russians.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |date=3 April 2022 |others=Photographs by Tyler Hicks |title='This Is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |url-access=subscription |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002070231/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |archive-date=2 October 2022 |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=[[The New York Times]] |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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Reporters from ''The Guardian'' visited the town after it was retaken and found evidence of executions, looting and torture. The mayor said Russians killed between 50 and 100 civilians during their occupation of the town. A witness said Russian soldiers fired into the air to frighten women delivering food to the elderly, shouting "Run bitches!".<ref> |
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=== Kharkiv Oblast === |
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{{cite web |last=Walker |first=Shaun |date=5 April 2022 |others=Photographs by Anastasia Taylor-Lind |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> |
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{{see also|February 2022 Kharkiv cluster bombing}} |
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During the [[Battle of Kharkiv (2022)|Battle of Kharkiv]], extensive parts of residential areas were destroyed by Russian shelling, including a boarding school for blind people. Out of a population of 1.8 million, only 500,000 people remained in Kharkiv by 7 March.<ref>{{cite news|title=Under Shelling in Kharkiv: People with Disabilities Need to Evacuate Safely|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/07/under-shelling-kharkiv|first=Yulia|last=Gorbunova|work=Human Rights Watch|date=7 March 2022|access-date=9 March 2022}}</ref> |
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=== Shooting at civilian vehicles === |
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On 4 March, 122 civilians, including five children, were killed in the Kharkiv region.<ref>{{cite web |title=188 people killed in Kharkiv region during war with Russia |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420496-188-people-killed-in-kharkiv-region-during-war-with-russia.html |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305175717/https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3420496-188-people-killed-in-kharkiv-region-during-war-with-russia.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 March, Russian forces bombed a hospital in [[Izium]], which was totally destroyed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine war: Izyum hospital destroyed by shelling |url=https://news.sky.com/video/ukraine-war-izyum-hospital-destroyed-by-shelling-12560771 |access-date=9 March 2022 |website=[[Sky News]] |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308171046/http://news.sky.com/video/ukraine-war-izyum-hospital-destroyed-by-shelling-12560771 |url-status=live }}</ref> This shelling has been regarded as a war crime by region authorities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gazeta.ua |date=3 March 2022 |title=Російський ворог бомбардує Ізюм. Є жертви |url=https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_rosijskij-vorog-bombarduye-izyum-e-zhertvi/1073611 |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Gazeta.ua |language=uk |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310154955/https://gazeta.ua/articles/np/_rosijskij-vorog-bombarduye-izyum-e-zhertvi/1073611 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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[[File:Missile strike on a humanitarian convoy in Zaporizhzhia, 2022-09-30 (02).jpg|thumb|Killed Ukrainian civilians during the [[Zaporizhzhia civilian convoy attack]] by Russian Army with [[S-300 missile system]]s in September 2022]] |
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According to Ukrainian regional authorities, at least 25 civilians, including six children, were killed in attacks on cars trying to flee [[Chernihiv]], or attacked in public places; one such incident involved the killing of a 15-year-old boy on 9 March, investigated by tne BBC and reported on 10 April.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Goodman |first=Jack |last2=Devlin |first2=Kayleen |last3=Korenyuk |first3=Maria |last4=Cheetham |first4=Joshua |last5=Tauschinski |first5=Jana |date=9 April 2022 |title=Chernihiv: Are these Russia's weapons of war? |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61036880 |access-date=6 July 2022}}</ref> On 2 May a Human Rights Watch report documented three incidents in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions where Russians firing on passing cars, killing six civilians and wounding three. Witness accounts and onsite investigations revealed that the attacks were likely deliberate and suggested that the Russians also fired on other vehicles.<ref name="HRW_Vehicles" /> |
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On 28 February, Russian forces shot at two vehicles that were trying to flee from [[Hostomel]], northwest of Kyiv. On 3 March, in the same area, they opened fire on a vehicle with four men who were going to negotiate the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the village of [[Nova Basan]], in the Chernihiv region, Russian soldiers shot at a civilian van carrying two men, injuring one; then pulled the second man from the van and summarily executed him, while the injured man escaped.<ref name="HRW_Vehicles" /> |
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===Mykolaiv Oblast=== |
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====Mykolaiv bombing==== |
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{{main|13 March 2022 Mykolaiv cluster bombing}} |
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CCTV video also from 28 February shows that two civilians (a 72-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman) were killed when their car was blown apart by shots from a Russian [[BMP-3|BMP]] armoured [[infantry fighting vehicle]] at the intersection of Bogdan Khmelnytsky Street and Okruzhna Road, near the hospital in Makariv.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russian soldiers accused of firing on civilian vehicles in Ukraine |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/08/russian-soldiers-accused-of-firing-on-civilian-vehicles-in-ukraine |first=Peter |last=Beaumont |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=8 March 2022 |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Video Shows Elderly Couple Being Killed By Russian Armored Column |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-makariv-russian-tanks-civilian-car-destroyed-killed/31744637.html |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |date=9 March 2022 |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://tsn.ua/ato/okupanti-rozstrilyali-avtomobil-z-pensionerami-u-makarovi-2004934.html |script-title=uk:Окупанти розстріляли автомобіль з пенсіонерами у Макарові |title=Okupanty rozstrilyaly avtomobilʹ z pensioneramy u Makarovi |trans-title=The occupiers shot a car with pensioners in Makarov |work=TSN |date=10 March 2022 |access-date=11 March 2022 |language=uk |archive-date=11 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220311043055/https://tsn.ua/ato/okupanti-rozstrilyali-avtomobil-z-pensionerami-u-makarovi-2004934.html |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On 13 March 2022, the Russian Armed Forces carried out a [[cluster munition]] [[bombing]] of [[Mykolaiv]]. Nine civilians waiting in line on the street at a cash machine have been killed in the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=Nine Killed by Bombing in Southern City of Mykolaiv: Regional Governor |url= https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/03/13/nine-killed-by-bombing-in-southern-city-of-mykolaiv-regional-governor-a76897 |agency=AFP|newspaper=[[The Moscow Times]]|date=13 March 2022|access-date=18 March 2022}}</ref> Russian forces used [[BM-30 Smerch|Smerch]] and [[BM-27 Uragan|Uragan]] cluster munition on the densely populated areas.<ref name="HRW_Mykolaiv" /> |
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''The Kyiv Independent'' reported that on 4 March Russian forces killed three unarmed Ukrainian civilians who had just delivered [[dog food]] to a [[Animal shelter|dog shelter]] in Bucha. As they were approaching their house, a Russian armored vehicle opened fire on the car.<ref>{{cite web |last=Myroniuk |first=Anna |date=8 March 2022 |title=Russian soldiers murder volunteers helping starving animals near Kyiv |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/russian-soldiers-murder-volunteers-helping-starving-animals-near-kyiv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309020323/https://kyivindependent.com/national/russian-soldiers-murder-volunteers-helping-starving-animals-near-kyiv/ |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]]}}</ref> In another incident, on 5 March at around 7:15 AM in Bucha, a pair of cars carrying two families trying to leave the town were spotted by Russian soldiers as the vehicles turned onto Chkalova Street. Russian forces in an armored vehicle opened fire on the convoy, killing a man in the second vehicle. The front car was hit by a burst of machine-gun fire, instantly killing two children and their mother.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boffey |first=Daniel |date=3 April 2022 |title=‘A war crime’: two young boys among Ukrainians shot dead during attempted evacuation |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/i-realised-my-husband-was-dead-ukrainians-tell-of-russian-army-atrocities |url-access=registration |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref> |
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===Zhytomyr Oblast=== |
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{{main|2022 Zhytomyr attacks}} |
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On 27 March the Russian army shot at a convoy of cars carrying civilians fleeing the village of Stepanki, near [[Kharkiv]]. An elderly woman and a 13-year-old girl were killed. The incident was investigated both by the team on war crimes of the prosecutor's office in the Kharkiv region and by the Canadian news outlet ''[[Global News]]''. The prosecutor's office said that on 26 March a Russian commander had given the order to fire rockets at civilian areas in order to create a sense of panic among the population. ''Global News'' presented what it saw as flaws in the official investigation.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bell |first=Stewart |date=4 July 2022 |title=Who killed Rita Horbyk? A war crime in Ukraine, heartbreak and a flawed investigation |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/8955557/rita-horbyk-ukraine-war-crime-investigation/ |access-date=5 July 2022 |website=[[Global News]] |publisher=Corus Entertainment, Inc. |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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[[File:Malyn after Russian shelling, 9 March 2022 (01).jpg|thumb|right|Emergency servicemen carry a dead body found under rubble in [[Malyn]] city, [[Zhytomyr Oblast]], after a Russian airstrike on 8 March]] |
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On 18 April, during the capture of [[Kreminna]], Russian forces were accused of shooting four civilians fleeing in their cars.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tondo |first=Lorenzo |last2=Harding |first2=Luke |last3=Koshiw |first3=Isobel |date=19 April 2022 |title=Russia takes Donbas town but Ukrainian frontline 'still holding' |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/19/ukraine-war-battle-for-donbas-has-begun-russia-launches-offensive |access-date=19 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=20 April 2022 |title=Russian forces capture city of Kreminna, as attacks continue in country's eastern Donbas region |publisher=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-19/ukraine-latest-kreminna-attacks-eastern-donbas/101000708 |access-date=19 April 2022}}</ref> |
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On 1 March, late in the evening Russian troops hit a residential sector of the city. About 10 residential buildings on [[Roman Shukhevych|Shukhevych]] street and around the city hospital were damaged. A few bombs were dropped on the city. As a result, at least two Ukrainian civilians were killed and three were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Російські окупанти вдарили бомбами по Житомиру. Горять житлові будинки |url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rossiyskie-okkupanty-udarili-raketoy-zhitomiru-1646171763.html |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=РБК-Украина |language=ru |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310133924/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/rossiyskie-okkupanty-udarili-raketoy-zhitomiru-1646171763.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 March, shells hit the regional perinatal center and some private houses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Окупанти обстріляли Обласний перинатальний центр в Житомирі |url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/okkupanty-obstrelyali-oblastnoy-perinatalnyy-1646210189.html |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=РБК-Украина |language=ru |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308104429/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/okkupanty-obstrelyali-oblastnoy-perinatalnyy-1646210189.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==== Kupiansk civilian convoy shooting ==== |
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On 4 March, rockets hit the 25th Zhytomyr school destroying half of the school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=РОСІЙСЬКІ ОРКИ ЗАВДАЛИ ПОТУЖНОГО УДАРУ ПО ШКОЛІ ЖИТОМИРА |url=https://www.5.ua/regiony/rosiiski-orky-zavdaly-potuzhnoho-udaru-po-shkoli-zhytomyra-270133.html |access-date=10 March 2022 |archive-date=6 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220306221832/https://www.5.ua/regiony/rosiiski-orky-zavdaly-potuzhnoho-udaru-po-shkoli-zhytomyra-270133.html |url-status=live }}</ref> In the evening the "Ozerne and Zhytomyr Armored Plant" came under fire; two people were injured.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Цензор.НЕТ |title=Житомирський бронетанковий завод потрапив під російський авіаудар: двоє поранених, – голова ОВА Бунечко. ВIДЕО |url=https://censor.net/ua/video_news/3321765/jytomyrskyyi_bronetankovyyi_zavod_potrapyv_pid_rosiyiskyyi_aviaudar_dvoye_poranenyh_golova_ova_bunechko |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Цензор.НЕТ |language=uk |archive-date=5 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220305123636/https://censor.net/ua/video_news/3321765/jytomyrskyyi_bronetankovyyi_zavod_potrapyv_pid_rosiyiskyyi_aviaudar_dvoye_poranenyh_golova_ova_bunechko |url-status=live }}</ref> On 8 March, in an air assault, a dormitory was hit and the Isovat factory was damaged.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ворог наніс авіаудар по Житомиру та Київській області. Повністю зруйновано гуртожиток |url=https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vrag-nanes-avuadar-zhitomiru-kievskoy-oblasti-1646768529.html |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=РБК-Украина |language=ru |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309004744/https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/vrag-nanes-avuadar-zhitomiru-kievskoy-oblasti-1646768529.html |url-status=live }}</ref> On 9 March, the outskirts of the city (Ozerne district) came under fire.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Цензор.НЕТ |title=Війська РФ скидають авіабомби на Житомир. ВIДЕО |url=https://censor.net/ua/news/3323352/viyiska_rf_skydayut_aviabomby_na_jytomyr_video |access-date=10 March 2022 |website=Цензор.НЕТ |language=uk |archive-date=10 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220310070216/https://censor.net/ua/news/3323352/viyiska_rf_skydayut_aviabomby_na_jytomyr_video |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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[[File:Kupiansk civilian convoy shelling.jpg|thumb|Aftermath of the attack on the civilian convoy in Kupiansk]] |
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{{main|Kupiansk civilian convoy shelling}} |
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On 30 September, a convoy of six civilian cars and a van on the outskirts of the village of [[Kurylivka, Kupiansk Raion|Kurylivka]] (at that time in the so-called "gray zone" between Kupiansk and [[Svatove]]) was discovered by Ukrainian forces, with around 24 people killed, including a pregnant woman and 13 children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=1 October 2022 |title=24 killed after Ukraine evacuation convoy shelled: Governor |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/10/1/ukraine-says-russians-shell-evacuation-convoy-killing-20 |access-date=3 October 2022 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|AlJazeera]] |language=en}}</ref> Ukraine accused Russian forces of being the perpetrators.<ref>{{Cite news |date=30 September 2022 |title=Slain Ukrainian civilians found as Russians retreat from outskirts of Kupiansk |work=[[Al Arabiya English|Al Arabiya News]] |agency=[[Agence France-Presse]] |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/30/Slain-Ukrainian-civilians-found-as-Russians-retreat-from-outskirts-of-Kupiansk |access-date=3 October 2022}}</ref> Investigations suggested that the civilians were killed around 25 September.<ref name=":1" /> |
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The bodies were apparently shot and burned out, according to 7 witnesses who managed to flee to the village of [[Kivsharivka]], the convoy was ambushed by Russian forces on 25 September at around ~9:00 AM (UTC+3) while leaving for the village of [[Pishchanka Raion|Pishchane]] through the only available road at that time, after the attack, the Russian troops reportedly executed the remaining survivors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fedorkova |first=Tatyana |date=30 September 2022 |title=Російські окупанти обстріляли цивільну колону біля Куп'янська — військовий |trans-title=Russian occupiers fired at a civilian convoy near Kupyansk — a military one |url=https://suspilne.media/287388-rosijski-okupanti-obstrilali-civilnu-kolonu-bila-kupanska-vijskovij/ |website=Суспільне {{!}} Новини}}</ref> During the month, law enforcement officers identified all the victims of the convoy.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Петренко (Petrenko) |first=Роман (Roman) |last2=Тищенко (Tyshchenko) |first2=Катерина (Kateryna) |date=1 October 2022 |title=Обстріл автоколони на Харківщині: 24 загиблих, серед них вагітна і 13 дітей |trans-title=Shelling of a motorcade in Kharkiv Region: 24 dead, including a pregnant woman and 13 children |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/10/1/7369956/ |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="ukrinformkupiansk">{{Cite web |title=Розстріл автоколони під Куп'янськом: ідентифікували 12 із 26 жертв |trans-title=Shooting of a motorcade near Kupyansk: 12 out of 26 victims have been identified |url=https://www.ukrinform.ua/rubric-ato/3597700-rozstril-avtokoloni-pid-kupanskom-identifikuvali-12-iz-26-zertv.html |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.ua |date=20 October 2022 |language=uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Рощіна (Roschyna) |first=Олена (Olena) |date=12 October 2022 |title=Знайдено 25 жертву розстрілу автоколони на Харківщині: літня жінка проповзла 200 м |trans-title=The 25th victim of the motorcade shooting in Kharkiv region was found: an elderly woman crawled 200 miles |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/10/12/7371692/ |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref> 22 people managed to escape, 3 of those (including 2 children) injured.<ref name="ukrinformkupiansk" /> in the following days, 2 other bodies were found, with the final death toll being 26.<ref>{{cite web |last=Федоркова (Fedorkova) |first=Тетяна (Tatyana) |date=18 October 2022 |title=Слідчі знайшли ще одного загиблого від російського обстрілу колони під Куп'янськом і двох уцілілих дітей |trans-title=Investigators found another person killed by Russian shelling of a column near Kupyansk and two surviving children |url=https://suspilne.media/297240-slidci-znajsli-se-odnogo-zagiblogo-vid-rosijskogo-obstrilu-koloni-pid-kupanskom-i-dvoh-ucililih-ditej/ |access-date=23 October 2022 |publisher=Суспільне телебачення і радіомовлення України – Суспільне Новини (Ukrainian Public News) |language=uk}}</ref> Some of the physical evidence (the bodies of the victims and the car) was examined by French experts. They discovered signs of the use of 30 mm and 45 mm high-explosive shells, as well as [[AGS-17|VOG-17]] and [[GP-25|VOG-25]] grenades.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Тищенко (Tyshchenko) |first=Катерина (Kateryna) |date=20 October 2022 |title=Експерти визначили, з якої зброї окупанти розстріляли колону на Харківщині |trans-title=Experts have determined with which weapon the occupiers shot the convoy in the Kharkiv region |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2022/10/20/7372778/ |access-date=2 November 2022 |website=Українська правда |language=uk}}</ref> |
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===Luhansk Oblast=== |
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====Kreminna care home attack==== |
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[[Lyudmyla Denisova]], Ukraine's human rights [[Ombudsman|ombudswoman]], alleged that on 11 March over 50 elderly persons in a care home had been intentionally fired upon by a tank in the town of [[Kreminna]], calling the attack a "crime against humanity" by "racist occupation forces".<ref name="Ball-2022">{{cite news |last=Ball |first=Tom |title=Ukraine accuses Russia of killing 56 care home residents in Luhansk |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-ukraine-art-school-mariupol-6fprjwq0t |work=The Times |date=20 March 2022}}</ref> [[Serhiy Haidai]], governor of Luhansk region, made the same claim. Reportedly, 56 victims died while 15 survivors were taken to [[Svatove]] in "occupied territory". The allegations have not been independently verified so far.<ref name="Ball-2022"/> |
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==== Shooting of Andrii Bohomaz ==== |
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== Ill-treatment, torture and willful killing of civilians == |
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{{main|Shooting of Andrii Bohomaz}} |
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Other than ''prima facie'' evidence and witness statements testifying to war crimes, evidence includes Ukrainian government intercepts of Russian military conversations<ref>{{Citation |title='Kill them all, for f**k sake': Shocking intercepted audio reveals conversation between Russian soldiers - CNN Video |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/04/08/audio-intercepts-russian-soldiers-chance-vpx.cnn |access-date=2022-04-09}}</ref> and Russian government contingency planning for mass graves of civilians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-05 |title=Russian state news demands 'liquidation' of Ukrainians as evidence of war crimes mounts |url=https://inews.co.uk/news/russia-news-ria-novosti-demands-liquidation-ukraine-ukrainians-war-crimes-civilians-putin-1558378 |access-date=2022-04-09 |website=inews.co.uk}}</ref> |
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In June 2022, Russian troops fired against Andrii Bohomaz and Valeria Ponomarova, a married couple in a car in the Izium area.<ref name="cnnbohomaz">{{Cite web |last=Booth |first=Rebecca Wright, Ivan Watson, Olha Konovalova, Tom |date=21 March 2023 |title='I killed a man today': Russian soldier accused of war crimes in absentia after audio files intercepted |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/europe/russian-soldier-accused-war-crimes-audio-files-intercepted-ink-hnk/index.html |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}}</ref> The car was struck with a [[30 mm caliber|30 millimetre]] round fired from the [[Shipunov 2A42|gun]] on a [[BMP-2]] fighting vehicle.<ref>{{Citation |title=Watch: Video shows what Ukrainians are calling a war crime by Russia {{!}} CNN |date=21 March 2023 |url=https://www.cnn.com/videos/world/2023/03/21/izium-ukraine-war-crimes-investigation-russia-watson-ac360-vpx.cnn |access-date=29 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The couple fled from their damaged car after the attack, Bohomaz had been badly injured in the head, Russian troops later found him, and, incorrectly assuming he was dead, dropped him in a ditch, he woke up 30 hours later, with several injuries and shrapnels lodged in his body.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2023 |title=Унікальна рятувальна операція ЗСУ: солдата РФ звинуватили у злочинах, знятих дроном (відео) |url=https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/556210-unikalna-spasatelna-operaciya-vsu-soldata-rf-obvinili-v-prestupleniyah-snyatyh-dronom-video |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=ФОКУС |language=uk}}</ref><ref name="cnnbohomaz"/> |
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Bohomaz later managed to walk to a Ukrainian position, being rescued and given first aid by Ukrainian troops.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2023 |title=Mens mannen ligger skutt i veikanten kommer en drone med en mystisk lapp |url=https://www.tv2.no/nyheter/utenriks/mens-mannen-ligger-skutt-i-veikanten-kommer-en-drone-med-en-mystisk-lapp/15603518/ |access-date=29 March 2023 |website=TV 2 |language=no}}</ref> Ukrainian forces later liberated the region, allowing them to start an investigation about the shooting, Ukrainian police have accused Russian commander Klim Kerzhaev of the [[2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division]] for being responsible for the shooting, based on interceptions of his phone calls to his wife after the shooting.<ref name="cnnbohomaz"/> |
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=== Bucha massacre === |
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{{main|Bucha massacre}} |
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== Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property == |
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[[File:Bucha civilians massacred by Russian soldiers, c. April 2022 - 02.jpg|thumb|right|Photo distributed by the Ukrainian government showing bodies in the Bucha area in April 2022]] |
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The Geneva Convention recognizes wanton destruction of property which may include targeting of hospitals, energy infrastructure, and nuclear powerplants.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Jen |first=Gish |title=Mr. Crime and Punishment and War and Peace |date=2019 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1353/tyr.2019.0005 |journal=The Yale Review |volume=107 |issue=1 |pages=103–111 |doi=10.1353/tyr.2019.0005 |issn=1467-9736}}</ref> |
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=== Hospitals and medical facilities === |
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After Russian forces withdrew from Bucha north of Kyiv, at end of March, videos emerged showing at least nine apparently dead bodies lying in the street in the residential area of the town. Journalists who visited the area reported seeing at least twenty corpses in civilian clothing.<ref name="Stern, Kelly, Parker, April 2">{{Cite news |last1=Stern |first1=David L. |first2=Meg |last2=Kelly |first3=Claire |last3=Parker |date=April 2, 2022 |title=Bodies, rubble line the streets of Bucha following Russian retreat |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/02/bucha-bodies-russia-retreat-kyiv/ |access-date=April 2, 2022}}</ref> On 1 April, an [[Agence France-Presse|AFP]] reported that at least twenty bodies of civilians lay in the streets of Bucha, with at least one the bodies having tied hands. The mayor of the city, Anatolu Fedoruk, said that these individuals had all been shot in the back of the head. Fedoruk also said that around 270 or 280 individuals from the city had to be buried in [[mass grave]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-02 |title=War in Ukraine: Street in Bucha found strewn with dead bodies |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60967463 |access-date=2022-04-02}}</ref><ref name="Stern, Kelly, Parker, April 2"/> The Kyiv Independent reported that already on March 12 local residents buried 57 bodies in a mass grave.<ref name="Rudenko-20222" /> |
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{{See also|Russian strikes on hospitals during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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[[File:Ukrainian civilian killed during the Russian bombing of Chernihiv.jpg|thumb|Photo distributed by the Ukrainian [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Ministry of Internal Affairs]] showing a Ukrainian civilian killed during the Russian bombing of Chernihiv]] |
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As of 26 March 2022, the [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] verified 74 attacks on medical facilities, 61 of them in Government-controlled territory (e.g. air strikes on hospitals in Izium, Mariupol, [[Ovruch]], [[Volnovakha]] and Vuhledar), nine occurring in territory controlled by Russian affiliated armed groups, and four in contested settlements. Six perinatal centres, maternity hospitals, and ten children's hospitals had been hit, resulting in the complete destruction of two children's hospitals and one perinatal hospital.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> On 26 March, [[Associated Press|AP]] journalists in Ukraine claimed they had gathered sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Russia was deliberately targeting Ukrainian hospitals across the country.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 March 2022 |last1=Biesecker |first1=Michael |last2=Kinetz |first2=Erika |last3=Dupuy |first3=Beatrice |title=War Crimes Watch: Russia's onslaught on Ukrainian hospitals |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-tracker-b39137c3a96eef06f4ba1793fd694542 |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=[[AP NEWS]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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A news article published by ''The Kyiv Independent'' also included a photo and information on one man and two or three naked women under a blanket whose bodies were allegedly burned by Russian soldiers on the side of a road before fleeing.<ref name="Rudenko-20222">{{Cite web |last=Rudenko |first=Olga |date=2 April 2022 |title=Hundreds of murdered civilians discovered as Russians withdraw from towns near Kyiv (GRAPHIC IMAGES) |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/}}</ref> |
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On 30 March 2022, the [[World Health Organization]] (WHO) reported that there had been 82 verified Russian attacks on medical care in Ukraine – including attacks on healthcare facilities, patients, and healthcare workers – since 24 February. WHO estimated at least 72 were killed and 43 injured in these attacks.<ref>{{cite news |title=WHO: Attacks on health care are part of Russian strategy, with Ukrainian civilians used as "chess pieces" |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-30-22/h_bf05c0ea69c717d32dfc661e76fb134e |access-date=31 March 2022 |agency=[[CNN]] |date=30 March 2022}}</ref> By 8 April, WHO confirmed 91 attacks.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.dw.com/en/how-russia-could-get-away-with-attacks-on-ukraine-hospitals/a-61383117 |title=How Russia could get away with attacks on Ukraine hospitals |last1=Sanders IV |first1=Lewis |last2=Felden |first2=Esther |last3=Theise |first3=Eugen |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=8 April 2022 |access-date=11 April 2022}}</ref> |
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As reported by [[The Times]], in one instance the Ukrainian [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]] said they had found 18 mutilated bodies of murdered men, women and children in a basement in Zabuchchya, a village in the Bucha district. One of the interviewed Ukrainian soldiers stated there was evidence of torture: some had their ears cut-off, others had teeth pulled out.<ref name="thetimes2">{{cite news | last= Callaghan | first= Louise | title= Bodies of mutilated children among horrors the Russians left behind | date= 2022-04-02 |newspaper= [[The Times]] | url= https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/bodies-of-mutilated-children-among-horrors-the-russians-left-behind-5ddnkkwp2 |url-access=subscription |access-date= 2022-04-05 |archive-url= https://archive.today/acrwD |archive-date= 2022-04-04 |url-status=live }}</ref> In [[Vorzel]] west of Bucha, Russian soldiers killed a woman and her 14-year-old child after throwing smoke grenades into the basement in which they were hiding.<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |website=Human Rights Watch |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> |
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As of 30 May 2023, WHO has verified 1,004 attacks on medical facilities in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, resulting in at least 101 deaths among health workers and patients, and many injuries. The number of attacks verified by WHO is the highest it has ever recorded in a humanitarian emergency.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=WHO records over 1,000 attacks on Ukraine healthcare during war |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/who-records-over-1000-attacks-ukraine-healthcare-during-war-2023-05-30/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=30 May 2023 |title=WHO records more than 1000 attacks on health care in Ukraine over the past 15 months of full-scale war |url=https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/30-05-2023-who-records-1-000th-attack-on-health-care-in-ukraine-over-the-past-15-months-of-full-scale-war |website=[[WHO]]}}</ref> By 21 December 2023, the number of attacks on health care had risen to 1,422, as reported by the WHO Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) tool.<ref>{{cite report|date=21 December 2023|title=Emergency Situation Report (Ukraine-specific) |url=https://iris.who.int/bitstream/handle/10665/375234/WHO-EURO-2023-5319-45083-72745-eng.pdf?sequence=1 |publisher=[[WHO]]|docket=Issue No. 66|access-date=19 January 2024}}</ref> |
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On 4 April, Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine stated Kyiv region police found a "torture chamber" in a basement of a children's sanatorium in Bucha. The basement contained the bodies of five men with hands tied behind their backs. The announcement was accompanied by several photos posted on Facebook.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukrainian authorities discovered a 'torture chamber' in Bucha where Russian soldiers killed civilians |url=https://news.yahoo.com/ukrainian-authorities-discovered-torture-chamber-025334809.html |work=news.yahoo.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Samantha Lock (now); Maanvi |last2=Oladipo |first2=Gloria |last3=Chao-Fong |first3=Léonie |last4=Belam (earlier) |first4=Martin |title=Zelenskiy says now is the 'crucial moment' for western leaders to impose further sanctions – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-live-updates-zelenskiy-address-un-united-nations-borodyanka-atrocities-bucha |website=The Guardian |date=6 April 2022}}</ref> |
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=== Energy infrastructure === |
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On 5 April, [[Associated Press]] journalists saw charred bodies on a residential street near a playground in Bucha, including one with a bullet hole in the skull, and a burned body of a child. The journalists were unable to verify their identity or the circumstances that led to their death.<ref>{{cite web |title=Associated Press journalists witness more evidence of civilian killings, torture in Bucha |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/associated-press-journalists-bucha-civilian-killings-bucha-1.6409330 |website=CBC |date=5 April 2022}}</ref> |
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{{further|Russian strikes against Ukrainian infrastructure (2022–present)}} |
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After October 2022, Russia increased the intensity of its attacks on [[power station]]s and other civilian infrastructure in a campaign intended to [[Demoralization (warfare)|demoralize]] the Ukrainian people and threatening to leave millions of civilians without heating or water during winter.<ref name="Kramer">{{Cite news |title=Russian Barrage Targets Power, Water and Heat for Ukraine's Civilians |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-blackout-water.html |last1=Specia |first1=Megan |date=18 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |last2=Kramer |first2=Andrew E. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024063626/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/18/world/europe/ukraine-russia-blackout-water.html |archive-date=24 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Specia">{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/world/europe/ukraine-heat-winter.html |title=In Shattered Homes, Ukrainians Brace for a Cold Winter |date=21 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=[[The New York Times]] |last=Specia |first=Megan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023040714/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/21/world/europe/ukraine-heat-winter.html |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> {{As of|2022|October|20|post=,}} up to 40% of Ukraine's power grid has been attacked by Russia.<ref>{{Cite news |title=In new phase of war, Russian threatens Ukraine's utilities and infrastructure |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/in-new-phase-of-war-russian-threatens-ukraines-utilities-and-infrastructure |last=Spike |first=Justin |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |agency=[[Associated Press]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023012012/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/in-new-phase-of-war-russian-threatens-ukraines-utilities-and-infrastructure |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The government has asked citizens to conserve energy, and introduced[[rolling blackout]]s.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ukrainians urged to curb electric use as rolling power cuts begin |url=https://www.ft.com/content/57fdfbb0-647d-4a22-995f-b33c67d830fd |last=Miller |first=Christopher |date=20 October 2022 |access-date=28 October 2022 |work=[[Financial Times]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20221020155750/https://www.ft.com/content/57fdfbb0-647d-4a22-995f-b33c67d830fd |archive-date=20 October 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The [[World Health Organization]] has warned of a potential [[humanitarian crisis]], saying that "lack of access to fuel or electricity due to damaged infrastructure could become a matter of life or death if people are unable to heat their homes."<ref name="Specia" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/14-10-2022-statement---the-escalation-of-the-humanitarian-emergency-requires-an-escalation-of-the-humanitarian-response |title=Statement – The escalation of the humanitarian emergency requires an escalation of the humanitarian response |date=14 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |website=[[World Health Organization]] |last=Hans |first=Kluge |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023024718/https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/14-10-2022-statement---the-escalation-of-the-humanitarian-emergency-requires-an-escalation-of-the-humanitarian-response |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live |author-link=Hans Kluge}}</ref> [[Denise Brown (UN official)|Denise Brown]], the United Nations [[Resident Coordinator]] for Ukraine, said that the attacks could result in "a high risk of mortality during the winter months."<ref name="Kramer" /> |
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On 6 April, Ukrainian investigators said they found a mined body and three other corpses, one of whom was beheaded, at a glass factory in town.<ref>{{cite news |title=In Bucha, the scope of Russian barbarity is coming into focus |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/06/bucha-barbarism-atrocities-russian-soldiers/ |work=Washington Post |date=7 April 2022}}</ref> |
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Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]], said that "attacks targeting civilians and objects indispensable to the survival of civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law" and "amount to a war crime."<ref name="Beaumont">{{Cite news |title=Zelenskiy asks G7 for monitoring of Ukraine's border with Belarus |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/11/russia-accused-of-war-crimes-as-it-continues-to-hit-ukraine-infrastructure |last1=Beaumont |first1=Peter |date=11 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |last2=Borger |first2=Julian |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221021195146/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/oct/11/russia-accused-of-war-crimes-as-it-continues-to-hit-ukraine-infrastructure |archive-date=21 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[President of the European Commission]] [[Ursula von der Leyen]]<ref>{{Cite news |title=EU's Von Der Leyen Says Russian Attacks On Ukraine's Infrastructure Are War Crimes |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-leyen-ukraine-infrastructure-war-crimes/32091194.html |date=19 October 2022 |access-date=25 October 2022 |work=[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023093947/https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-leyen-ukraine-infrastructure-war-crimes/32091194.html |archive-date=23 October 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> and 11 members of NATO's eastern flank also called the attacks a war crime.<ref name="Beaumont" /> |
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The Kyiv Independent reported that on 4 March, Russian forces killed three unarmed Ukrainian civilians who had just delivered [[dog food]] to a [[Animal shelter|dog shelter]] in [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]], a city near Kyiv.<ref>{{cite web |last=Myroniuk |first=Anna |date=8 March 2022 |title=Russian soldiers murder volunteers helping starving animals near Kyiv |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/russian-soldiers-murder-volunteers-helping-starving-animals-near-kyiv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309020323/https://kyivindependent.com/national/russian-soldiers-murder-volunteers-helping-starving-animals-near-kyiv/ |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]]}}</ref> In another incident, Russian soldiers in an armored vehicle opened fire on civilians fleeing in cars, killing a man, woman and two children.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title='It is a war crime': two young boys among neighbours shot dead during attempted evacuation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/i-realised-my-husband-was-dead-ukrainians-tell-of-russian-army-atrocities |website=the Guardian}}</ref> According to residents of Bucha, upon entering the town, Russian tanks and military vehicles drove down the streets shooting randomly at house windows.<ref>{{Cite web |date=30 March 2022 |title=Devastation and Loss in Bucha, Ukraine: Life for Civilians in a Town Encircled by Russian Forces |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/30/devastation-and-loss-bucha-ukraine |via=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> |
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In his comprehensive analysis,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Dunlap |first1=Charles J. Jr. |title=Is attacking the electricity infrastructure used by civilians always a war crime? |url=https://sites.duke.edu/lawfire/2022/10/27/is-attacking-the-electricity-infrastructure-used-by-civilians-always-a-war-crime/ |website=Lawfire |access-date=13 December 2022 |date=27 October 2022}}</ref> [[Charles J. Dunlap Jr.|Charles J. Dunlap jr.]], executive director of [[Duke University School of Law|Duke Law School]]'s Centre on Law, Ethics and National Security and former deputy judge advocate general of the U.S. Air Force, pointed to the view that “[e]lectric power stations are generally recognized to be of sufficient importance to a State's capacity to meet its wartime needs of communication, transport, and industry so as usually to qualify as military objectives during armed conflicts”,<ref>[U.S.] Department of Defense: [https://dod.defense.gov/Portals/1/Documents/pubs/DoD%20Law%20of%20War%20Manual%20-%20June%202015%20Updated%20Dec%202016.pdf?ver=2016-12-13-172036-190 Law of Wars Manual] (Jun 2015, updated Dec 2016). ¶ 5.6.8.5.</ref> furthermore that they have been a favourite target for almost a century, and that Ukraine did resort to similar tactics in 2015.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crimea without power after pylons 'blown up' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/20151122-crimea-without-power-after-pylons-blown |website=France24 |access-date=13 December 2022 |date=22 November 2015}}</ref> |
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While Ukrainian officials called the situation "genocide", "a massacre" and "war crimes", Russia's Defense Ministry claimed simultaneously that the footage was staged and fake and at the same time accused the Ukrainian troops of killing the civilians. Numerous other countries demanded investigations and accountability, with the prime-minister of United Kingdom stating the footage in Bucha was "yet more evidence that Putin and his army are committing war crimes".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Timsit |first1=Annabelle |last2=Hassan |first2=Jennifer |title=Signs of massacre in Bucha spark calls for war-crime probes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/04/03/bucha-ukraine-graves-war-crimes-calls-icc/ |access-date=4 April 2022 |work=[[Washington Post]] |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> Several nations such as Britain, Germany, France and Spain, have called for the prosecution and punishment of Russia troops for reported atrocities in the invasion.<ref>{{cite news|work=[[LA Times]] |title=Calls grow for more sanctions on Russia after mass graves found around Kyiv |first1=Patrick J. |last1=McDonnell |first2=Jaweed |last2=Kaleem |date=4 April 2022 |url=https://news.yahoo.com/calls-grow-more-sanctions-russia-120709404.html?fr=yhssrp_catchall}}</ref> On 4 April, Joe Biden indicated that the issue of atrocities outside of Kyiv in Bucha clearly would call Putin to answer for war crimes. Boris Johnson also spoke to say that Britain would use its resources to bring Putin to justice for atrocities being uncovered in Bucha.<ref>Samantha Lock, Abené Clayton , Gloria Oladipo, Léonie Chao-Fong and Martin Belam. 4 Apr 2022. The Guardian. "Russia-Ukraine war latest: Biden calls for Putin war crimes trial; Borodyanka worse than Bucha, says Ukrainian prosecutor". [https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/04/russia-ukraine-war-latest-zelenskiy-calls-russian-forces-butchers-after-civilian-mass-graves-found-around-kyiv-live]</ref> |
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Military structures, too, typically rely on the civilian electrical grid. Also, attacks on civilian enterprises may be justified due to the Ukraine's "sizeable domestic military-industrial complex" and due to energy exports (also in the form of electricity) being one of Ukraine's main revenue sources. The distinction between military and civilian targets is still relevant but does however not preclude attacks on dual-use (military and civilian) facilities if it is not "reasonably feasible to segregate [civilian portions] out from the overall strike" - as it may be the case with Ukraine's "thoroughly integrated" electrical grid. The blurring of citizen and combatant, e.g. by calling upon citizens to report enemy positions via government apps, further complicates the picture.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Olejnik |first1=Lukasz |title=Smartphones Blur the Line Between Civilian and Combatant |url=https://www.wired.com/story/smartphones-ukraine-civilian-combatant/ |magazine=Wired |access-date=13 December 2022 |date=6 June 2022}}</ref> |
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Amnesty International stated that the killings near Bucha constituted "extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings, which must be investigated as likely war crimes". [[Agnès Callamard]], the Secretary General of Amnesty International, added that "Testimonies shows that unarmed civilians in Ukraine are being killed in their homes and streets in acts of unspeakable cruelty and shocking brutality".<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-07 |title=Ukraine: Russian forces extrajudicially executing civilians in apparent war crimes – new testimony |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/04/ukraine-russian-forces-extrajudicially-executing-civilians-in-apparent-war-crimes-new-testimony/ |access-date=2022-04-08 |website=Amnesty International}}</ref> |
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=== Nuclear power plants === |
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{{Main|Impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on nuclear power plants}} |
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{{See also|Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant crisis}} |
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[[File:ZNPP roof damage to radioactive waste storage facility.jpg|IAEA mission observing shell damage to a building housing solid radioactive waste and fresh nuclear fuel in September 2022|thumb]] |
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At 11:28 pm local time on 3 March 2022, a column of 10 Russian armored vehicles and two tanks cautiously approached the [[Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant]], Europe's largest.<ref>{{cite web |script-title=ru:Прямая трансляция пользователя Запорізька АЕС |language=ru |title=Pryamaya translyatsiya pol'zovatelya Zaporíz'ka AES |trans-title=Live broadcast of the user Zaporizka AES |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYUT36YGOh8 |website=youtube |publisher=Запорізька АЕС |access-date=3 April 2022}} |
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*{{cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=Security Council debates Russian strike on Ukraine nuclear power plant |work=UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/03/1113302 |access-date=6 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="NPR110322" /> The action commenced at 12:48am on 4 March when Ukraine forces fired anti-tank missiles and Russian forces responded with a variety of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades.<ref name="NPR110322" /> During approximately two hours of heavy fighting a fire broke out in a training facility outside the main complex, which was extinguished by 6:20am,<ref name="AlJ040322">{{cite news |title=Ukraine nuclear power plant attack: All you need to know |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/4/zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-attack-all-you-need-to-know |access-date=3 April 2022 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March"/> though other sections surrounding the plant sustained damage.<ref name="NPR110322">{{cite news |title=Video analysis reveals Russian attack on Ukrainian nuclear plant veered near disaster |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/11/1085427380/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-zaporizhzhia |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=NPR |date=11 March 2022}}</ref> That evening, the Kyiv US Embassy described the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a war crime,<ref>{{cite news |title=UN Security Council meets after Russia seizes second Ukrainian nuclear plant |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-05/russian-forces-seize-ukrainian-power-plant-as-advancement-stalls/100884702 |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] |date=5 March 2022}}</ref> though the US State Department quickly retracted this claim with the circumstances of the attack being studied<ref>{{cite news |title=US calls attack on Ukraine nuclear plant a possible 'war crime' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20220304-us-calls-attack-on-ukraine-nuclear-plant-a-possible-war-crime |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=[[France24]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> and [[the Pentagon]] declining to describe the attack as a war crime.<ref>{{cite news |title=Pentagon won't call attack at nuclear plant a war crime, yet |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/rush-hour/pentagon-wont-call-attack-at-nuclear-plant-a-war-crime-yet/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=News Nation |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> |
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing "nuclear terror" by ordering the attack on the plant<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. calls Russian attack on Ukraine nuclear power plant a "war crime" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/chernobyl-fears-ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-fire-russian-shelling/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |work=[[CBS News]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> and Ukraine regulatory authorities stated that Russian forces fired artillery shells at the plant, setting fire to the training facility.<ref>{{cite web |title=Updated information about Zaporizhzhia NPP (15:00) |url=https://snriu.gov.ua/en/news/updated-information-about-zaporizhzhia-npp-1500 |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate|State Nuclear Regulatory Inspectorate of Ukraine]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Zelenskiy says 'Europe must wake up' after assault sparks nuclear plant fire |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/ukraine-nuclear-power-plant-fire-zaporizhzhia-russian-shelling |access-date=3 April 2022 |newspaper=The Guardian |date=5 March 2022}}</ref> The Russian Ambassador to the UN responded that Russian forces were fired upon by Ukrainian "saboteurs" from the training facility, which they set fire to when they left.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia, Ukraine trade barbs at UN over nuclear plant attack |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/4/russia-ukraine-trade-barbs-at-un-over-nuclear-plant-attack |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> Later on 4 March, the Director General of the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] confirmed that the plant's safety systems had not been affected and there had been no release of radioactive materials, however, he was "... gravely concerned about the situation at Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. The main priority was to ensure the safety and security of the plant, its power supply and the people who operate it".<ref>{{cite news |title=Update 11 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-11-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine |access-date=3 April 2022 |agency=[[International Atomic Energy Agency]] |date=4 March 2022}}</ref> |
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=== Killing of civilians in Chernihiv region === |
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[[Human Rights Watch]] cited reports that in {{ill|Staryi Bykiv|uk|Старий Биків}} Russian forces rounded up at least six men and executed them at the beginning of the invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-03 |title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> |
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Attacks on nuclear power facilities are mainly governed by Article 56 of Additional [[Protocol I]] to the [[Geneva Conventions]],<ref>{{cite journal |title=Treaties, States Parties and Commentaries |journal=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]] |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/Article.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=3376730ECD9DF7B1C12563CD0051DD37 |access-date=3 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Morgandi |first1=Tibisay |last2=Betin |first2=Batuhan |date=15 April 2022 |title=Legal Implications of the Military Operations at the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plants |url=https://www.ejiltalk.org/legal-implications-of-the-military-operations-at-the-chernobyl-and-zaporizhzhya-nuclear-power-plants/ |access-date=1 August 2022 |website=[[EJIL: Talk!]] |language=English}}</ref> which generally prohibits attacks against civilian nuclear power plants.<ref name="Moore060322" /><ref name="ISAF-Dann130322" /> According to international scholars: "if it is established that Russian forces engaged in the shelling of the Zaporizhzhia plant or objectives in its vicinity in a way that risked a radioactive leak, it is almost certain that this operation violated Article 56"<ref name="Moore060322">{{cite news |last=Moore |first=George |title=How international law applies to attacks on nuclear and associated facilities in Ukraine |url=https://thebulletin.org/2022/03/how-international-law-applies-to-attacks-on-nuclear-and-associated-facilities-in-ukraine/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=[[Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists]] |date=6 March 2022}}</ref> but it is "less likely" that Russian forces have committed a war crime in this case.<ref name="ISAF-Dann130322">{{cite web |last=Dannenbaum |first=Tom |title=The Attack at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant and Additional Protocol I |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/attack-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/ |website=Lieber Institute West Point |access-date=16 March 2022 |date=13 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313184942/https://lieber.westpoint.edu/attack-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-plant/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Killing in Trostyanets === |
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After the town of Trostyanets in [[Sumy Oblast]] was liberated from Russian control, the local doctor at the morgue reported that at least one person in town was killed by Russians after being tortured, and young people were abducted. The town's hospital was also shelled; the [[New York Times]] indicated that it's unclear who hit the building, but the locals accused the Russians.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gibbons-Neff |first1=Thomas |last2=Yermak |first2=Natalia |last3=Hicks |first3=Tyler |title='This Is True Barbarity': Life and Death Under Russian Occupation |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/03/world/europe/ukraine-war-russia-trostyanets.html |website=The New York Times |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> |
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On 13 April, a report of the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] Moscow Mechanism's mission of experts concluded that Russian forces "did not attack buildings that could have released dangerous forces if damaged. They attacked and damaged, however, nearby buildings by attacks that could have affected those able to release radioactivity."<ref name="OSCE_13_April" /> |
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Reporters from The Guardian visited the town after it was liberated from Russian troops and found evidence of executions, looting and torture carried out by Russian troops. According to the mayor of the town the Russians killed between 50 and 100 civilians while they occupied the town. One local witness stated that Russian soldiers also fired at women delivering food to the elderly while shouting "Run bitches!".<ref>{{cite web |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |website=the Guardian |date=5 April 2022}}</ref> |
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=== |
=== Cultural heritage === |
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{{Main|Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion}} |
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On 7 March, a Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces drone operating near the [[European route E40|E40 highway]] outside Kyiv filmed Russian troops shooting a civilian who had his hands up.<ref name="E40BBC2">{{cite news |date=1 April 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Gruesome evidence points to war crimes on road outside Kyiv |website=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60949791 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> After Ukrainian forces recaptured the area four weeks later, a BBC news crew investigating the area found the man and his wife's bodies close to their car, all of which had been burned. More dead bodies lined the highway, some of which also showed signs of burning. During the incident, a couple in that car was killed, and their son and an elder were released. The burning of bodies may have been signs that the Russian troops tried to destroy evidence of what they had done. At least ten dead were found along the road, two of them wearing recognisable Ukrainian military uniforms. The drone footage was submitted to Ukrainian authorities and London's [[Metropolitan Police]].<ref name="E40BBC2" /> |
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[[File:Mariupol Drama Theatre Destroyed 2 (3to4).jpg|thumb|The [[Donetsk Academic Regional Drama Theater|Drama Theatre in Mariupol]] was mostly destroyed on 16 March 2022, while sheltering at least 1,300 people inside<ref>{{Cite web |first1=Victoria |last1=Butenko |first2=Olga |last2=Voitovych |first3=Andrew |last3=Carey |first4=James |last4=Frater |first5=Jeevan |last5=Ravindran |title=Survivors emerge from rubble of Mariupol theater bombed by Russia |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/17/europe/ukraine-mariupol-bombing-theater-russia-intl/index.html |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=CNN|date=17 March 2022 }}</ref>]] |
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According to the United Nations intentional attacks against building dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals not being used as military infrastructure is a War Crime.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=June 2008 |title=Law, War and Crime: War Crimes Trials and the Reinvention of International Law |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/15027570802172857 |journal=Journal of Military Ethics |volume=7 |issue=2 |pages=162–164 |doi=10.1080/15027570802172857 |s2cid=153930731 |issn=1502-7570}}</ref> |
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The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects has raised concerns about the proximity of historic monuments, works of art, churches and other cultural properties.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pevny |first=Olenka Z. |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ukraine's cultural heritage faces destruction as Russian bombing continues |url=http://theconversation.com/ukraines-cultural-heritage-faces-destruction-as-russian-bombing-continues-178563 |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]]}}</ref><ref name="Reid_Heritage">{{Cite news |last=Reid |first=Anna |date=15 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian heritage is under threat – and so is the truth about Soviet-era Russia |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/15/ukrainian-heritage-under-threat-truth-soviet-era-russia |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 March 2022 |title=Vladimir Putin's war endangers Ukraine's cultural heritage |newspaper=[[The Economist]] |url=https://www.economist.com/culture/2022/03/19/vladimir-putins-war-endangers-ukraines-cultural-heritage |access-date=2 April 2022 |issn=0013-0613}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2022 |title=Culture in the crossfire: Ukraine's key monuments and museums at risk of destruction in the war |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/25/ukraine-culture-in-peril |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> Russian forces damaged or destroyed the [[Kuindzhi Art Museum]] in Mariupol, the Soviet-era [[Shchors cinema]] and a Gothic revival library in Chernihiv,<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Museum building heavily damaged in Ukraine's battle-ravaged city of Chernihiv |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/03/15/museum-building-heavily-damaged-in-ukraines-battle-ravaged-city-of-chernihiv |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> the [[Babi Yar Holocaust Memorial Center|Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial complex]] in Kyiv,<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Babyn Yar: Anger as Kyiv's Holocaust memorial is damaged |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60588885 |access-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> the Soviet-era [[Slovo Building|Slovo building]]<ref name="Reid_Heritage" /> and the regional state administration building in Kharkiv, a 19th-century wooden church in Viazivka, Zhytomyr Region,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian invaders destroy 19th-century wooden church in Zhytomyr Region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3423396-russian-invaders-destroy-19thcentury-wooden-church-in-zhytomyr-region.html |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=[[ukrinform]]|date=8 March 2022 }}</ref> and the [[Ivankiv Historical and Local History Museum|Historical and Local History Museum in Ivankiv]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 February 2022 |title=Ukraine museum reportedly burns down in Russian invasion, destroying 25 works by folk artist Maria Prymachenko |url=https://www.theartnewspaper.com/2022/02/28/ukraine-museum-burns-down-in-russian-invasion-destroying-25-works-by-folk-artist-maria-prymachenko |access-date=2 April 2022 |website=The Art Newspaper – International art news and events}}</ref> On 24 June, [[UNESCO]] stated that at least 150 Ukrainian historical sites, religious buildings, and museums were confirmed to have sustained damage during the Russian invasion.<ref>{{Cite web |author=UNESCO World Heritage Centre |title=Ukraine: over 150 cultural sites partially or totally destroyed |url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/2453/ |access-date=25 June 2022 |website=[[UNESCO World Heritage Centre]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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=== Use of children as human shields === |
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According to witness accounts gathered by the Ukraine's attorney general, Russian units leaving the area near Kyiv used children as [[human shield]]s by forcing them to sit on top of their tanks as these withdrew. In the village of [[Novyi Bykiv]] Russians allegedly placed Ukrainian children in front of their tanks to protect themselves. In other areas of Ukraine, there were claims that Russian forces took local children hostage and threatened their parents in case they gave away the troops' coordinates. According to the Ukrainian human rights [[ombudsman]], cases of Russian soldiers using Ukrainian children as human shields have been recorded in Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian children used as 'human shields' near Kyiv, say witness reports |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/ukrainian-children-used-as-human-shields-near-kyiv-say-witness-reports |website=the Guardian}}</ref> |
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Cultural property enjoys special protection under international humanitarian law.<ref name="biicl">{{Cite web |last1=Hausler |first1=Kristin |last2=Drazewska |first2=Berenika |title=How does international law protect Ukrainian cultural heritage in war? Is it protected differently than other civilian objects? |url=https://www.biicl.org/documents/11200_how_does_international_law_protect_ukrainian_cultural_heritage_in_war.pdf |publisher=British Institute of International and Comparative Law}}</ref> Protocol I of the Geneva Convention and the [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict]] (both binding on Ukraine and Russia) prohibits state parties from targeting historic monuments in support of a military effort and from making them the objects of acts of hostility or reprisals.<ref name="biicl" /> [[Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict#Second Protocol to the Hague Convention|Protocol II of the Hague Convention]] allows attacks on a cultural property only in case of "imperative military necessity" provided that there is no feasible alternative. While Protocol II does not apply as such, as only Ukraine is a party and it applies only between parties,<ref name="OSCE_13_April" /> the provision on imperative military necessity may be applicable if it is interpreted as informing the convention, rather than adding to it.<ref name="biicl" /> Attacks against cultural heritage amount to war crimes and can be prosecuted before the [[International Criminal Court]].<ref name="biicl" /> |
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=== Abduction and torture of civilians in Kherson === |
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Dementiy Bilyi, head of the Kherson regional department of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, claimed that the Russian security forces were "beating, torturing, and kidnapping" civilians in the [[Kherson Oblast]] of Ukraine. He added that eyewitnesses had described "dozens" of arbitrary searches and detentions, resulting in an unknown amount of abducted persons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian military abducts, tortures people in Kherson region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3448166-russian-military-abducts-tortures-people-in-kherson-region.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=www.ukrinform.net}}</ref> At least 400 residents had gone missing by March 16, with the mayor and deputy mayor of the town of [[Skadovsk]] being allegedly abducted by armed men.<ref>{{Cite web |title=In A Ukrainian Region Occupied By Russian Forces, People Are Disappearing. Locals Fear It's About To Get Worse. |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-invasion-kherson-disappearances-russia-kidnapping/31756418.html |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}</ref> An allegedly leaked letter described Russian plans to unleash a "great terror" to suppress protests occurring in Kherson, stating that people would "have to be taken from their homes in the middle of the night"<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Tom Ball, Maxim |title=Russia plans kidnapping and violence in 'great terror' to end Kherson protests |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-plans-kidnapping-and-violence-in-great-terror-to-end-kherson-protests-lf32jb99k |access-date=2022-04-05 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> |
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== Torture of civilians == |
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=== Mistreatment of marauders and pro-Russian supporters === |
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{{See also|Russian occupation of Kherson Oblast|Russian occupation of Zaporizhzhia Oblast}} |
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According to the [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] (HRMMU), there were credible reports of mistreatment of people perceived to support Russian forces in territory controlled by the Ukrainian government.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-28 |title=Live: Ukrainian forces claim to retake ground in Kyiv suburb, Ukraine telecoms provider knocked offline |url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/300552353/live-ukrainian-forces-claim-to-retake-ground-in-kyiv-suburb-ukraine-telecoms-provider-knocked-offline |access-date=2022-04-04 |website=Stuff |quote=Bogner also said beatings of people believed to be so-called marauders, bootleggers, pro-Russian supporters, and curfew violators appear to be widespread in territory controlled by the government of Ukraine since the beginning of the armed attack of the Russian Federation.}}</ref> Reports and video footage documented at least 45 cases of abuse and torture by both civilians and members of the territorial defense. The majorities of these cases involved "perpetrators allegedly duct-taped individuals to electricity poles or trees, partially or fully stripped them, beat them, including with sticks and rods, and sprayed them with paint or marked their bodies with the word '[[wikt:marauder|marauder]]' ... Some of this conduct may also amount to conflict related sexual violence."<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> On 25 March, HRMMU documented at least two reported cases where civilians were killed inside Ukrainian government-controlled territory for supporting Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogner |first=Matilda |date=March 25, 2022 |title=Situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/situation-ukraine |access-date=April 4, 2022 |website=OHCHR}}</ref> |
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The International Criminal Court, based on the Geneva Convention, defines murder, cruel or degrading treatment and torture as a war crime.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court |url=https://legal.un.org/icc/statute/romefra.htm |access-date=30 July 2023 |website=legal.un.org}}</ref> The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture said in September 2023 that Russia's use of torture "is not random, aberrant behavior," but "orchestrated as part of state policy to intimidate, instill fear or punish to extract information and confessions".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gall |first=Carlotta |date=10 September 2023 |title=Ukrainian Accounts of Torture Point to Systematic Russian Policy, Expert Says |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/10/world/europe/russian-ukraine-torture.html |access-date=10 September 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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== Sexual violence == |
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{{See also|Women in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine#War crimes and violence against women}} |
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In March 2022 the [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] stressed the heightened risks of sexual violence and the risk of under-reporting by victims in the country.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> After Russian withdrawal from areas north of Kyiv, according to ''[[The Guardian]]'', there was a "mounting body of evidence" of rape, torture and summary killings by Russian forces inflicted upon Ukrainian civilians, including gang-rapes committed at gunpoint and rapes committed in front of children.<ref>{{cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |title=Rape as a weapon: huge scale of sexual violence inflicted in Ukraine emerges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/all-wars-are-like-this-used-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-ukraine |access-date=4 April 2022 |date=4 April 2022}}</ref> |
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On 22 March the non-profit organization [[Reporters Without Borders]] reported that Russian forces had captured a Ukrainian fixer and interpreter for ''[[Radio France]]'' on 5 March as he headed home to a village in [[Central Ukraine]]. He was held captive for nine days and subjected to electric shocks, beatings with an iron bar and a mock execution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Chilling account of Radio France fixer who was kidnapped and tortured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine {{!}} Reporters without borders |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/chilling-account-radio-france-fixer-who-was-kidnapped-and-tortured-russian-soldiers-ukraine |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=RSF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ott |first=Haley |date=22 March 2022 |title=Journalist reportedly kidnapped and tortured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-journalist-reportedly-kidnapped-tortured-by-russia-soldiers-rsf-says/ |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=CBS News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Le récit glaçant de ce fixeur ukrainien de Radio France arrêté par les Russes |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/ukraine-un-fixeur-de-radio-france-raconte-avoir-ete-torture-par-larmee-russe_fr_6238d72ee4b046c938df284f |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Le HuffPost |language=fr}}</ref> On 25 March Reporters Without Borders stated that Russian forces had threatened, kidnapped, detained and tortured several Ukrainian journalists in the occupied territories.<ref name="RSF_abduction">{{Cite web |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russians use abduction, hostage-taking to threaten Ukrainian journalists in occupied zones |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/russians-use-abduction-hostage-taking-threaten-ukrainian-journalists-occupied-zones |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=[[Reporters without borders]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russian forces are reportedly holding Ukrainian journalists hostage |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/25/1088808627/ukrainian-journalists-missing-detained |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> Torture is prohibited by both Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 2 of the [[United Nations Convention against Torture]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1958 |title=p. 221 Article 32 {{!}} Prohibition of Corporal Punishment, Torture, Etc. |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/COM/380-600037?OpenDocument |publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-against-torture-and-other-cruel-inhuman-or-degrading |publisher=[[United Nations]]}}</ref> |
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In late March Ukraine's Prosecutor General opened an investigation into a case of a Russian soldier who had killed an unarmed civilian and then repeatedly raped his wife. The incident is supposed to have taken place on 9 March, in a village outside of Kyiv.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rai |first=Sarakshi |date=29 March 2022 |title=Ukraine opens first investigation into claims of rape against Russian soldiers |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/600247-ukraine-opens-first-investigation-into-claims-of-rape-by-russian/ |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> The victim related that two Russian soldiers raped her repeatedly after killing her husband, while her four-year-old son hid in the house's boiler room. The account was first published by ''[[The Times]]'' of London.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Philp |first=Catherine |date=28 March 2022 |title='Russian soldiers raped me as my terrified son cried' |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/one-soldier-raped-me-then-the-other-as-my-son-cried-7xbqwzdqw |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331125808/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/one-soldier-raped-me-then-the-other-as-my-son-cried-7xbqwzdqw |archive-date=31 March 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name="NYT_sexual_violence" /> A Moscow spokesperson dismissed the allegation as a lie. Ukrainian authorities have said that numerous reports of sexual assault and rape by Russian troops have emerged since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.<ref name="NYT_sexual_violence" /> Ukrainian MP Maria Mezentseva said that these types of cases were underreported and that there are many other victims.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Harry |date=27 March 2022 |title=Russian soldiers raping and sexually assaulting women, says Ukraine MP |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/27/russian-soldiers-raping-and-sexually-assaulting-women-says-ukraine-mp?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other |journal=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> |
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In April [[Human Rights Watch]] visited 17 villages in [[Kyiv Oblast]] and [[Chernihiv Oblast]] that had been under Russian occupation from late February through March 2022. The human rights organisation investigated 22 summary executions, 9 unlawful killings, 6 enforced disappearances, and 7 cases of torture. Witnesses reported that Russian soldiers beat detainees, used electric shocks, and carried out mock executions to coerce them to provide information.<ref name="HRW_Kyiv_Chernihiv" /> Twenty-one civilians described unlawful confinement in inhuman and degrading conditions.<ref name="HRW_Kyiv_Chernihiv" /> |
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In another reported incident a Russian soldier entered a school in the village of Malaya Rohan where civilians were sheltering and raped a young Ukrainian woman. Human Rights Watch reported that the woman was threatened and repeatedly raped by a Russian soldier who cut her cheek, neck and hair.<ref name="HRWCrimes4422" /> According to witness statements, the villagers informed Russian officers in charge of the occupation of the village of the incident, who arrested the perpetrator and told them that he would be summarily executed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Kim |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian mother 'raped by teenage Russian soldier' as she sheltered in school |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-mother-sexual-assault-b2048197.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220331165310/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-mother-sexual-assault-b2048197.html |archive-date=1 April 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Ukrainian Foreign Minister [[Dmytro Kuleba]] stated that Russian soldiers had committed "numerous" rapes against Ukrainian women. According to the Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict database, sexual violence by Russian forces has been reported in three of seven years of conflict since 2014 in eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hallsdóttir |first=Esther |date=31 March 2022 |title=Are Russian troops using sexual violence as a weapon? Here's what we know. |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/russia-ukraine-military-sexual-violence-rape/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20220324184802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/russia-ukraine-military-sexual-violence-rape/ |archive-date=31 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> |
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On 4 April, Dementiy Bilyi, head of the Kherson regional department of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, said that the Russian security forces were "beating, torturing, and kidnapping" civilians in the [[Kherson Oblast]] of Ukraine. He added that eyewitnesses had described "dozens" of arbitrary searches and detentions, resulting in an unknown amount of abducted persons.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russian military abducts, tortures people in Kherson region |url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3448166-russian-military-abducts-tortures-people-in-kherson-region.html |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=www.ukrinform.net|date=4 April 2022 }}</ref> At least 400 residents had gone missing by 16 March, with the mayor and deputy mayor of the town of [[Skadovsk]] being abducted by armed men.<ref>{{Cite news |title=In A Ukrainian Region Occupied By Russian Forces, People Are Disappearing. Locals Fear It's About To Get Worse. |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-invasion-kherson-disappearances-russia-kidnapping/31756418.html |access-date=5 April 2022 |newspaper=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty|date=17 March 2022 |last1=Yankovskiy |first1=Oleksandr |last2=Mykhaylov |first2=Volodymyr |last3=Tokar |first3=Yevhenia }}</ref> A leaked letter described Russian plans to unleash a "great terror" to suppress protests occurring in Kherson, stating that people would "have to be taken from their homes in the middle of the night".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Tucker |first=Tom Ball, Maxim |title=Russia plans kidnapping and violence in 'great terror' to end Kherson protests |newspaper=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russia-plans-kidnapping-and-violence-in-great-terror-to-end-kherson-protests-lf32jb99k |access-date=5 April 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref> |
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Human Rights Watch received reports of other incidents of rape in Chernihiv region and Mariupol.<ref name="HRWCrimes4422">{{cite news |title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |access-date=4 April 2022 |publisher=Human Rights Watch |date=4 April 2022}}</ref> ''[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]]'' reported in April 2022 that "rapes, shootings and a senseless execution" had been alleged to have occured in the town of Berestyanka, noting a specific incident where a man was claimed to have been shot by Russian soldiers on 9 March after attempting to block them from raping his wife and a female friend.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rubinsztein-Dunlop |first1=Sean |last2=Hemingway |first2=Phil |title=Ukraine thought Bucha would represent the worst of Russian atrocities. New horrors awaited them in Berestyanka |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-07/fears-for-ukrainian-town-of-berestyanka/100972266 |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407033414/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-07/fears-for-ukrainian-town-of-berestyanka/100972266 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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Russian soldiers were also accused of murders, tortures, and beatings of civilians in Borodianka during the withdrawal.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Senneville |first=Frédéric |date=8 April 2022 |title=Guerre en Ukraine. À Borodianka, une situation "plus horrible" qu'à Boutcha. Le point de la nuit |language=fr |trans-title=War in Ukraine. In Borodianka, a situation "more horrible" than in Bucha. Nightly report. |work=[[Ouest-France]] |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/monde/guerre-en-ukraine/guerre-en-ukraine-a-borodianka-une-situation-plus-horrible-qu-a-boutcha-le-point-de-la-nuit-ddd95f05-5ecc-4dfd-83e0-60e2bb3de094 |access-date=8 April 2022 |issn=1760-6306}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |year=2022 |script-title=uk:Під завалами будинків у Бородянці знайшли вже 26 загиблих |title=Pid zavalamy budynkiv u Borodyantsi znayshly vzhe 26 zahyblykh |trans-title=26 dead have already been found under the rubble of houses in Borodyanka |language=uk |work=[[Focus (Ukrainian magazine)|Focus]] |url=https://focus.ua/uk/voennye-novosti/511741-pod-zavalami-domov-v-borodyanke-nashli-uzhe-26-pogibshih-venediktova-foto |access-date=14 April 2022}}</ref> |
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== Deportations == |
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According to Ukrainian officials and two witnesses, Russian forces have forcefully deported hundreds of residents from Ukraine to Russia during the [[Siege of Mariupol]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Hundreds of Ukrainians forcibly deported to Russia, say Mariupol women |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/04/hundreds-of-ukrainians-forcibly-deported-to-russia-say-mariupol-women |website=the Guardian |date=4 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=20 March 2022 |title=US decries 'disturbing' accounts of Ukrainians deported to Russia |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/20/us-decries-disturbing-accounts-of-ukrainians-deported-to-russia |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=www.aljazeera.com}}</ref><ref name="Guardian_deportations" /> On 24 March, the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]] claimed that the Russian army had forcibly deported about 6,000 Mariupol residents in order to use them as "hostages" and put more pressure on Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2022 |title=Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the forced deportation of residents of Mariupol by Russia |url=https://www.kmu.gov.ua/en/news/zayava-mzs-ukrayini-shchodo-primusovoyi-deportaciyi-rosiyeyu-meshkanciv-mariupolya |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=www.kmu.gov.ua |publisher=[[Ukrainian Government]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Vinograd |first=Cassandra |date=25 March 2022 |title=Rumors of 'filtration camps' and mass deportation in Ukraine raise old USSR fears |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-invasion-ukraine-deportations-claims-kidnapping-rcna21542 |access-date=29 March 2022 |website=NBC News}}</ref> The [[Embassy of the United States, Kyiv|US embassy in Kyiv]] cited the Ukrainian foreign ministry as claiming that 2,389 Ukrainian children had been illegally removed from the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk and taken to Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 March 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Kyiv claims Moscow forcefully deporting thousands of Ukrainian children to Russia |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-kyiv-claims-moscow-forcefully-deporting-thousands-of-ukrainian-children-to-russia-12572666 |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=Sky News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=Russia is kidnapping children in Ukraine, says US embassy |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3171461/russia-kidnapping-children-ukraine-says-us-embassy |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=South China Morning Post}}</ref> |
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Ukrainians who escaped from occupied Kherson into Ukrainian-controlled territory provided testimonies of torture, abuse and kidnapping by Russian forces in the region. One person from [[Bilozerka]] in Kherson Oblast provided physical evidence of having been tortured by Russians and described beatings, [[electrocution]]s, [[mock execution]]s, strangulations, threats to kill family members and other forms of torture.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ibtimes.com/i-would-not-have-kidneys-left-ukrainian-village-deputy-speaks-about-russian-torture-3527390 |title='I Would Not Have Kidneys Left': Ukrainian Village Deputy Speaks About Russian Torture, Threat |website=[[International Business Times]] |date=June 2022}}</ref> |
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On 24 March [[Lyudmyla Denisova]], Ukraine's human rights [[Ombudsman|ombudsperson]] said that over 402,000 Ukrainians had been forcefully taken to Russia, including around 84,000 children.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Folmar |first=Chloe |date=24 March 2022 |title=More than 400,000 Ukrainians taken to Russia against their will, official says |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/599686-over-400000-ukrainians-taken-to-russia-against-their-will |access-date=25 March 2022 |website=TheHill}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Qena |first1=Nebi |last2=Anna |first2=Cara |date=25 March 2022 |title=Moscow Has Forcibly Taken More than 400,000 Ukrainians to Russia, Ukraine Says |url=https://time.com/6160765/ukrainians-taken-to-russia/ |magazine=Time |access-date=25 March 2022}}</ref> Russian authorities said that more than 384,000 people, including over 80,000 children, had been evacuated to Russia from Ukraine and from the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=Over 384,000 people evacuated to Russia from Ukraine, LPR, DPR – Russian Defense Ministry |url=https://interfax.com/newsroom/top-stories/77276/?sphrase_id=82750 |access-date=29 March 2022 |website= |publisher=[[Interfax]]}}</ref> |
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An investigation by the BBC gathered evidence of torture, which in addition to beatings also included electrocution and burns on people's hands and feet. A doctor who treated victims of torture in the region reported: "Some of the worst were burn marks on genitals, a gunshot wound to the head of a girl who was raped, and burns from iron on a patient's back and stomach. The patient told me two wires from a car battery were attached to his groin and he was told to stand on a wet rag". In addition to the BBC, the Human Rights Watch UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported on torture and "disappearances" carried out by Russian occupation forces in the region. One resident stated: "In Kherson, now people go missing all the time (...) there is a war going on, only this part is without bombs."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61607410 |title=Ukraine war: Stories of torture emerging out of Kherson |work=[[BBC News]] |date=31 May 2022}}</ref> |
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Deportation of protected peoples such as civilians during war is prohibited by Article 49 of the [[Fourth Geneva Convention]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Michael N. |date=24 March 2022 |title=Deportation of Ukrainian Civilians to Russia: The Legal Framework |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/deportation-ukrainian-civilians-russia-legal-framework/ |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Lieber Institute West Point}}</ref> |
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Kherson's elected Ukrainian mayor has compiled a list of more than 300 people who had been kidnapped by Russian forces as of 15 May 2022. According to ''[[The Times]]'', in the building housing the Russian occupation authorities, the screams of the tortured could be frequently heard throughout the corridors.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/screams-of-the-tortured-echo-in-kherson-as-putins-puppets-prepare-to-join-russia-5hsm8l2lr |title=Screams of the tortured echo in Kherson as Putin's puppets prepare to join Russia |last1=Tucker |first1=Maxim |work=[[The Times]] |date=15 May 2022}}</ref> |
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=== Arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of civilians === |
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On 22 March the non-profit organization [[Reporters Without Borders]] reported a Ukrainian fixer and interpreter working for ''[[Radio France]]'' had been captured by Russian forces while on 5 March he was heading back to his hometown in a village in [[Central Ukraine]]. He was held captive for nine days, being subjected to electric shocks, beatings with an iron bar and a mock execution.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Chilling account of Radio France fixer who was kidnapped and tortured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine {{!}} Reporters without borders |url=https://rsf.org/en/news/chilling-account-radio-france-fixer-who-was-kidnapped-and-tortured-russian-soldiers-ukraine |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=RSF}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ott |first=Haley |date=22 March 2022 |title=Journalist reportedly kidnapped and tortured by Russian soldiers in Ukraine |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/ukraine-journalist-reportedly-kidnapped-tortured-by-russia-soldiers-rsf-says/ |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=www.cbsnews.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=21 March 2022 |title=Le récit glaçant de ce fixeur ukrainien de Radio France arrêté par les Russes |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.fr/entry/ukraine-un-fixeur-de-radio-france-raconte-avoir-ete-torture-par-larmee-russe_fr_6238d72ee4b046c938df284f |access-date=31 March 2022 |website=Le HuffPost |language=fr}}</ref> On 25 March Reporters Without Borders alleged that Russian forces had threatened, kidnapped, detained and tortured several Ukrainian journalists in the occupied territories.<ref name="RSF_abduction"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Treisman |first=Rachel |date=25 March 2022 |title=Russian forces are reportedly holding Ukrainian journalists hostage |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/25/1088808627/ukrainian-journalists-missing-detained |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> Torture is prohibited by both Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 2 of the [[United Nations Convention against Torture]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1958 |title=p.221 ARTICLE 32 {{!}} PROHIBITION OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT, TORTURE, ETC. |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/ihl/COM/380-600037?OpenDocument |publisher=[[International Committee of the Red Cross]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=1984 |title=Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-against-torture-and-other-cruel-inhuman-or-degrading |publisher=[[United Nations]]}}</ref> |
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On 22 July [[Human Rights Watch]] published a report documenting 42 cases of torture, unlawful detention and enforced disappearance of civilians in the Russian-occupied areas of Kherson and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia regions]].<ref name="HRW_South" /> Witnesses described torture through prolonged beatings and electric shocks causing injuries including broken bones, broken teeth, severe burns, concussions, cuts and bruises. They also described being kept blindfolded and handcuffed for the entire duration of the detention, and being released only after having signed statements or recorded videos in which they pledge to cooperate or urge others to cooperate with the Russian forces.<ref name="HRW_South" /> Ukrainian officials estimated that at least 600 people had been forcibly disappeared in the Kherson region since the Russian invasion.<ref name="HRW_South" /> |
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The [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] confirmed that in the first month of the invasion they had documented the arbitrary detention in Russian occupied territories of 21 journalists and civil society activists, nine of whom had already reportedly been released.<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> The Human Rights Monitoring Mission also verified the arrests and detention of 24 public officials and civil servants of local authorities, including three mayors, by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups of the self-proclaimed republics of [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] and [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk]].<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted" /><ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March" /><ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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Teachers in Russian-occupied areas were forced by the military to teach in the [[Russian language]] and were tortured for using [[Ukrainian language|Ukrainian]].<ref name="teach">{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63037713 |language=en-GB |title=Ukraine war: Tortured for refusing to teach in Russian |publisher=[[BBC News]] |date=1 October 2022 |access-date=1 October 2022 |last1=Bezpiatchuk |first1=Zhanna |last2=Bettiza |first2=Sofia}}</ref> |
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International humanitarian law allows the internment of civilians in armed conflict only when they individually pose a security threat,<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Goodman |first=Ryan |date=2009 |title=The Detention of Civilians in Armed Conflict |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20456721 |journal=The American Journal of International Law |volume=103 |issue=1 |pages=53 |doi=10.2307/20456721 |issn=0002-9300 |jstor=20456721 |s2cid=145124847}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sassòli |first=Marco |title=Internment |url=https://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e313 |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Oxford Public International Law}}</ref> and all detained persons whose prisoners of war (PoW) status is in doubt must be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention until their status has been determined.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Dörr |first=Oliver |title=Detention, Arbitrary |url=https://opil.ouplaw.com/view/10.1093/law:epil/9780199231690/law-9780199231690-e776 |access-date=27 March 2022 |website=Oxford Public International Law}}</ref> |
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=== Russian torture chambers === |
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== Treatment of prisoners of war == |
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{{main|Russian torture chambers in Ukraine}} |
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{{Summary too long|Russian torture chambers in Ukraine|date=August 2023}} |
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=== |
==== Kyiv region ==== |
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On 4 April, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine stated police in the Kyiv region found a "torture chamber" in the basement of a children's sanatorium in Bucha. The basement contained the bodies of five men with hands tied behind their backs. The announcement was accompanied by several photos posted on Facebook.<ref>{{cite news |last=Tangalakis-Lippert |first=Katherine |others=Translations by Nikita Ilyich Angarski |date=4 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian authorities discovered a 'torture chamber' in Bucha where Russian soldiers killed civilians |work=[[Business Insider]] |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/officials-discover-torture-room-where-ukrainian-civilians-were-killed-2022-4 |access-date=27 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Singh |first1=Samantha Lock (now); Maanvi |last2=Oladipo |first2=Gloria |last3=Chao-Fong |first3=Léonie |last4=Belam (earlier) |first4=Martin |title=Zelenskiy says now is the 'crucial moment' for western leaders to impose further sanctions – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/apr/05/russia-ukraine-war-latest-news-live-updates-zelenskiy-address-un-united-nations-borodyanka-atrocities-bucha |website=The Guardian |date=6 April 2022}}</ref> |
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==== Sumy region ==== |
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In mid-April 2022 ''[[The Independent]]'' obtained two testimonies of survivors of a Russian torture chamber in Trostyanets, Sumy oblast. According to the witnesses, at least eight civilians were held in a basement of a train station, where they were tortured, starved, subject to [[mock execution]]s, forced to sit in their own excrement, electrocuted, stripped, and threatened with rape and genital mutilation. At least one prisoner was beaten to death by Russian guards who told the prisoners "All Ukrainians must die". Two were still missing at the time of the report. One prisoner was given electric shocks to his head until he begged the Russian soldiers to kill him. Numerous bodies, mutilated to the point where they were unrecognizable, were discovered by investigators in the area around the town.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-torture-chamber-killing-murder-b2059421.html |title='He never came back': Horrors of kidnap, torture, murder in Russian torture chamber |work=[[The Independent]] |date=17 April 2022}}</ref> |
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Since 27 February, the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has shared on social media photos and videos of killed Russian soldiers,<ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=The gory online campaign Ukraine hopes will sow anti-Putin dissent probably violates the Geneva Conventions |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2022/03/03/telegram-russian-war-dead-ukraine-pows/ |access-date=22 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> soon followed by dozens of videos of prisoners of war under interrogation, sometimes blindfolded or bound, revealing their names and personal information, and expressing regret over their involvement in the invasion.<ref name="HRW_RespectPOW" /><ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |date=4 March 2022 |title=Demoralised Russian soldiers tell of anger at being 'duped' into war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/russian-soldiers-ukraine-anger-duped-into-war |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309010713/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/russian-soldiers-ukraine-anger-duped-into-war |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Rousseau |first=Daphne |date=7 March 2022 |title=Ukraine parades Russian troops captured during invasion before cameras |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-parades-russian-troops-captured-during-invasion-before-cameras/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309142445/https://www.timesofisrael.com/ukraine-parades-russian-troops-captured-during-invasion-before-cameras/ |archive-date=9 March 2022 |access-date=8 March 2022 |publisher=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref> The videos have raised concerns about potential violations of Article 13 [[Third Geneva Convention]], which states that prisoners of war should be protected "against insults and public curiosity."<ref>{{cite web |title=Russian Prisoners and Ukrainian Soldiers Describe Two Sides of the Conflict |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/ukraine-russia-soldiers-war.html |first=Andrew E. |last=Kramer |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=5 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=9 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220309095053/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/05/world/europe/ukraine-russia-soldiers-war.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Prisoners of war: What the Geneva convention rules are on how they should be treated and their rights |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/prisoners-war-what-geneva-convention-23274468 |first=Tom |last=Blackburn |publisher=[[Wales Online]] |date=3 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308005230/https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/world-news/prisoners-war-what-geneva-convention-23274468 |url-status=live }}</ref> On 7 March, [[Amnesty International]] released a statement saying that "it is essential that all parties to the conflict fully respect the rights of prisoners of war," and saying that filmed prisoners of war and their families could be put at risk of reprisals following repatriation to Russia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Russia/Ukraine: Prisoners of war must be protected from public curiosity under Geneva Convention |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-ukraine-prisoners-of-war-must-be-protected-from-public-curiosity-under-geneva-convention/ |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308224159/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-ukraine-prisoners-of-war-must-be-protected-from-public-curiosity-under-geneva-convention/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==== Kharkiv region ==== |
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On 16 March, [[Human Rights Watch]] described the videos as intentional humiliation and shaming, and urged the Ukrainian authorities to stop posting them on social media and messaging apps.<ref name="HRW_RespectPOW" /> Analogous concerns were expressed by various Western newspapers<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Khurshudyan |first1=Isabelle |last2=Westfall |first2=Sammy |date=9 March 2022 |title=Ukraine puts captured Russians on stage. It's a powerful propaganda tool, but is it a violation of POW rights? |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=8 March 2022 |title=Guerre en Ukraine : a-t-on le droit de diffuser des images de prisonniers russes ? |language=fr-FR |work=La Croix |url=https://www.la-croix.com/Monde/Guerre-Ukraine-droit-diffuser-images-prisonniers-russes-2022-03-08-1201203827 |access-date=26 March 2022 |issn=0242-6056}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 March 2022 |title=Ukraine : le témoignage de prisonniers russes est-il contraire au droit de la guerre ? |url=https://www.lefigaro.fr/international/ukraine-le-temoignage-de-prisonniers-russes-est-il-contraire-au-droit-de-la-guerre-20220315 |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=LEFIGARO |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=tagesschau.de |title=Ukraine zeigt Gefangene: Verstoß gegen Genfer Abkommen? |url=https://www.tagesschau.de/faktenfinder/ukraine-soldaten-genfer-konvention-101.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=tagesschau.de |language=de}}</ref> A spokeswoman for the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN High Commissioner for Human Rights]], Elizabeth Throssell, said that the videos, if genuine, were likely to be incompatible with human dignity and current [[international humanitarian law]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 March 2022 |title=Pourquoi les images de prisonniers de guerre russes peuvent constituer une violation du droit international |url=https://www.nouvelobs.com/guerre-en-ukraine/20220308.OBS55428/pourquoi-les-images-de-prisonniers-de-guerre-russes-sont-une-violation-du-droit-international.html |access-date=26 March 2022 |website=L'Obs |language=fr}}</ref> Interviewed by ''[[Der Spiegel]]'', international law expert Daniel-Erasmus Khan said that "letting POWs call home is actually a good thing, filming it and putting it online however is not," as it was incompatible with the Geneva Convention on the treatment of prisoners of war.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hipp |first=Dietmar |date=16 March 2022 |title=(S+) Ukraine-Krieg: Völkerrechtler Daniel-Erasmus Kahn über das Leid der Zivilisten |language=de |work=Der Spiegel |url=https://www.spiegel.de/panorama/justiz/ukraine-krieg-voelkerrechtler-daniel-erasmus-kahn-ueber-das-leid-der-zivilisten-a-94ad668d-b1b2-406d-a1a5-c5f0c7bd8b8b |access-date=26 March 2022 |issn=2195-1349}}</ref> According to ''[[The Guardian]]'', while it was likely that Ukraine was using the discomfort of captured soldiers for propaganda purposes, still the videos succeeded in showing the Russian servicemen's "authentic sense" of regret for having come to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |last=Harding |first=Luke |author-link=Luke Harding |date=4 March 2022 |title=Demoralised Russian soldiers tell of anger at being 'duped' into war |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/04/russian-soldiers-ukraine-anger-duped-into-war |access-date=22 March 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |location=Lviv}}</ref> |
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After the successful [[2022 Kharkiv counteroffensive|Kharkiv counteroffensive by Ukraine]] which liberated a number of settlements and villages in the [[Kharkiv]] region from Russian occupation,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hendrix |first1=Steve |last2=Korolchuk |first2=Serhii |last3=Dixon |first3=Robyn |date=11 September 2022 |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Amid Ukraine's startling gains, liberated villages describe Russian troops dropping rifles and fleeing |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/11/kharkiv-liberated-retreat-izyum-russia/}}</ref> authorities discovered torture chambers which had been used by Russian troops during their time in control of the area. |
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In the town of [[Balakliya]], which the Russians occupied for six months, forensics specialists, human rights activists, criminal law experts, and Ukrainian investigators found extensive evidence of war crimes and torture. During the Russian occupation, the troops used a two-story building named "BalDruk" (after a former publishing company which had an office there before the war) as a prison and a torture center. The Russians also used the police station building across the street for torture. Ukrainian officials say that around 40 people were held in the torture chambers during the occupation and subject to various forms of violence, including electrocution, beatings and mutilation.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sarovic |first1=Alexander |last2=Dondyuk |first2=Maxim |date=27 September 2022 |work=Spiegel |title=The Torture Chambers of Balakliya |url=https://www.spiegel.de/international/world/russian-war-atrocities-in-ukraine-the-torture-chambers-of-balakliya-a-4b785964-a60b-430b-9ee8-f59f464a6c49}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Yang |first1=Maya |last2=Ho |first2=Vivian |last3=Belam |first3=Martin |last4=Farrer |first4=Martin |date=14 September 2022 |work=The Guardian |title=Ukraine's officials claim to have discovered 'torture chamber' used by Russian troops – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/sep/14/russia-ukraine-war-latest-kyiv-aims-to-consolidate-gains-in-kharkiv-biden-says-war-will-be-long-haul-live}}</ref> Two torture chambers specifically for children were also found in the city, one of the kids who had been held there described being cut with a knife, burnt with heated metal and subjected to mock executions.<ref>{{Cite news |date=15 December 2022 |title=Ukraine accuses Russia of torturing children in Kharkiv as missile attack thwarted |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-12-15/ukraine-drones-thwarted-as-accused-russia-torturing-children/101774890 |access-date=10 February 2023}}</ref> |
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==== Kneecapping of Russian soldiers ==== |
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On 27 March a video purportedly showing Ukrainian soldiers shooting Russian prisoners in the knees was uploaded on Telegram.<ref name="CNN_Ukraine_promises" /><ref name="BBC_POW_shot" /> The video was likely shot in Malaya Rohan, to the south east of [[Kharkiv]], in an area which had recently been recaptured by Ukrainian troops.<ref name="BBC_POW_shot"/> The footage purports to depict a number of captured soldiers lying on the ground; many appear to be bleeding from leg wounds and are questioned by their captors. At one point, three prisoners are brought out of a vehicle and shot in the legs with a rifle. The accents and the uniforms of the captors are consistent with them being Ukrainians from the east of the country.<ref name="BBC_POW_shot" /><ref name="HRW_PW_Abuse" /> |
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Another Russian torture chamber was found in the liberated village of [[Kozacha Lopan]], located at the local railway station.<ref name="Euronews">{{cite news |last=Askew |first=Joshua |date=19 September 2022 |work=Euronews |title= Ukraine war: Russian 'torture chambers', Kherson 'provocations', fears on Ukraine-Russia border Access to the comments |url=https://www.euronews.com/2022/09/18/ukraine-war-russian-torture-chambers-kherson-provocations-fears-on-ukraine-russia-border}}</ref><ref name="NZ Herald">{{cite news |last=Backhouse |first=Andrew |date=19 September 2022 |work=NZ Herald |title=Russia-Ukraine war: Horror photos of Russian torture chambers |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/russia-ukraine-war-horror-photos-of-russian-torture-chambers/YAIZ2LIYF3PCGYFUYIM2MKZ5HM/}}</ref> Ukrainian President [[Volodymyr Zelenskyy]] stated that more than ten torture chambers, along with mass graves, had been discovered in the Kharkiv areas liberated by Ukrainian troops.<ref name="Euronews"/><ref>{{cite news |last=Tangalakis-Lippert |first=Katherine |date=19 September 2022 |work=Business Insider |title=Zelenskyy says Russian chambers containing 'tools for electric torture' were found in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine along with mass graves containing at least 450 bodies |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/zelenskyy-chambers-with-tools-for-electric-torture-found-kharkiv-izium-2022-9}}</ref> Zelenskyy also said: "As the occupiers fled they also dropped the torture devices".<ref name="NZ Herald"/> Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office stated that "Representatives of the Russian Federation created a pseudo-law enforcement agency, in the basement of which a torture chamber was set up, where civilians were subjected to inhumane torture."<ref name="NZ Herald"/> Ukrainian prosecutors have opened investigations into Russia's use of torture chambers.<ref>{{cite news |author=France 24 staff |date=22 September 2022 |work=France 24 |title=Ukrainian prosecutors investigate evidence of Russian torture chambers |url=https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20220922-ukrainian-prosecutors-investigate-evidence-of-russian-torture-chambers}}</ref> |
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On 29 March the Head of the [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] Matilda Bogner said she was "very concerned".<ref name="BBC_POW_shot"/><ref> |
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{{Cite tweet|number=1508862074004426759|user=amanpour|title=Video has emerged of Ukrainian soldiers shooting Russian prisoners of war in the knees. Ukrainian officials say they're investigating. Head of UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Matilda Bogner tells me she's "very concerned... That's not the only video… on both sides."|first=Christiane|last=Amanpour|author-link=Christiane Amanpour|date=29 March 2022|access-date=31 March 2022|ref=Amanpour tweet}}</ref> She called on Russia and Ukraine to launch investigations on the alleged ill-treatment of prisoners of both sides, and reminded the two countries of their obligations to treat POWs humanely and ensure they "are not exposed to public curiosity and are treated with dignity."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kennedy |first=Niamh |date=28 March 2022 |title=UN calls on Russia and Ukraine to investigate videos of mistreated POWs |url=https://edition.cnn.com/europe/live-news/ukraine-russia-putin-news-03-28-22/h_7c613bb9cd56b6d34e5d6f3fa544bf40 |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref> Human Rights Watch said that the video, if confirmed, showed serious violations of international humanitarian law, and urged the Ukrainian authorities to ensure an effective investigation into actions that could qualify as war crime.<ref name="HRW_PW_Abuse" /> [[Oleksiy Arestovych]], adviser to the Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, said that the case is taken "very serious" and that it will be immediately investigated, since it would be "absolutely unacceptable behavior".<ref name="UAstatemts"/> The chairman of the [[Investigative Committee of Russia|investigative committee]] of the Russian Federation, [[Alexander Bastrykin]], also said that an investigation will be launched. The Ukrainian armed forces chief, [[Valerii Zaluzhnyi]], released a statement saying that the Russians had made fake videos in order to discredit Ukraine's defense forces.<ref name="CNN_Ukraine_promises" /><ref name="UAstatemts">{{Cite web |title=Ukraine To Investigate Reports Of War Crimes Against Russian Troops |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-investigating-torture-video/31774747.html |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty}}</ref> |
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In Izium, journalists for the [[Associated Press]] found ten torture sites. An investigation found that both Ukrainian civilians and POWs were "routinely" subject to torture. At least eight men were killed while under torture.<ref>{{Cite news |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=2 October 2022|title=10 torture sites in 1 town: Russia sowed pain, fear in Izium |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/10-torture-sites-in-1-town-russia-sowed-pain-fear-in-izium}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Mutch |first=Tom |date=25 September 2022 |work=Daily Beast |title=Shocking New Torture Methods Revealed in Russian Horror Chamber |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-torture-chambers-exposed-in-ukrainian-city-of-balakliya}}</ref> |
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==== Execution of captured Russian soldiers ==== |
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On 6 April a video showing Ukrainian troops of the [[Georgian Legion (Ukraine)|Georgian Legion]] executing captured Russian soldiers was posted on Telegram.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shull |first=Abbie |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian soldiers executing Russian soldier captured in an ambush outside Kyiv, New York Times reports |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-appears-to-show-ukrainian-soldiers-executing-captured-russian-soldier-nyt-2022-4 |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> The video was verified by the New York Times.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Evan |date=2022-04-06 |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian troops killing captured Russian soldiers. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/06/world/ukraine-russia-war-news |access-date=2022-04-07 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> A wounded Russian soldier was shot twice by a Ukrainian soldier while lying on the ground. Three deceased russian soldiers, including one with a head wound, were seen near the soldier. The video was filmed on a road north of the village of Dmytrivka, 7 miles south of Bucha.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Times |first=The Moscow |date=2022-04-07 |title=Graphic Video Appears to Show Ukrainian Troops Killing Russian Soldiers Outside Kyiv – NYT |url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/04/07/graphic-video-shows-ukrainian-troops-killing-russian-soldiers-outside-kyiv-nyt-a77256 |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=The Moscow Times}}</ref> The incident occurred on 2 April according to the date that it was posted. In it one soldier can be heard saying "Glory to Ukraine" and another "Glory to the Heroes".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Video appears to show execution of Russian prisoner by Ukrainian forces |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/07/europe/ukraine-execution-russian-prisoner-intl/index.html |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=cnn.com}}</ref> |
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Between late September and early October, [[Human Rights Watch]] interviewed over 100 residents of Izium. Almost all of them reported having family members or friends who had been tortured, and fifteen people said they had been tortured themselves; survivors described torture by administration of electric shocks, [[waterboarding]], severe beatings, threats with firearms and being forced to hold [[stress position]]s for long periods.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 October 2022 |title=Ukraine: Russian Forces Tortured Izium Detainees |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/10/19/ukraine-russian-forces-tortured-izium-detainees |access-date=24 October 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref> Residents stated that the Russians targeted specific individuals and that they already had lists of those locals who were in the military, the families of military people, or the people who were veterans of the [[war in Donbas]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Tondo |first1=Lorenzo |last2=Koshiw |first2=Isobel |date=14 September 2022 |title='People disappeared': Izium's residents on Russia's occupation |work=[[The Guardian]] |location=[[Izium]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/14/people-disappeared-iziums-residents-on-russias-occupation |access-date=16 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220916013941/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/sep/14/people-disappeared-iziums-residents-on-russias-occupation |archive-date=16 September 2022}}</ref> They also said that in selecting victims they would terrorize the townspeople by publicly strip searching them.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rosjanie rozbierali Ukraińców na ulicach. Wiadomo, czego szukali|author=Tomasz Gdaniec|url=https://www.onet.pl/informacje/onetwiadomosci/inwazja-rosji-na-ukraine-rosjanie-rozbierali-mieszkancow-na-ulicach-izium/rygrtge,79cfc278|publisher=[[onet.pl]]|language=pl|trans-title=The Russians were stripping Ukrainians on the streets. It's known what they were looking for|date=17 September 2022|access-date=17 September 2022|archive-date=18 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918054719/https://www.onet.pl/informacje/onetwiadomosci/inwazja-rosji-na-ukraine-rosjanie-rozbierali-mieszkancow-na-ulicach-izium/rygrtge,79cfc278|url-status=live}}</ref> |
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=== Ukrainian prisoners of war === |
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The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine expressed worries about the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war held by forces of Russia and the Donetsk and Luhansk Republics. Videos showing Ukrainian war prisoners being forced to sing pro-Russian songs or carrying bruises have attracted concerns about their treatment.<ref name=":1" /> |
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By October, no less than 10 torture sites had been identified in the town of approximately 46,000 inhabitants.<ref name="iziumtorture">{{Cite web |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/10-torture-sites-in-1-town-russia-sowed-pain-fear-in-izium |title=10 torture sites in 1 town: Russia sowed pain, fear in Izium |last1=Hinnant |first1=Lori |last2=Maloletka |first2=Evgeniy |last3=Stepanenko |first3=Vasilisa |publisher=[[PBS]] |work=[[PBS NewsHour]] |date=2 October 2022 |access-date=3 October 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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On 4 April 2022, Ukrainian [[ombudsman]] [[Lyudmyla Denisova]] said that Ukrainian prisoners of war had launched complaints about their mistreatment by Russian authorities, accusing their captors of inhumane living conditions, asserting that they had been repeatedly intimidated and threatened by their captors. Denisova stated that the prisoners "were periodically taken out one at a time: they [Russian authorities] beat them to make examples of them, fired near their ears and intimidated them."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-04 |title=Ukrainian POWs complain of mistreatment by Russia |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraines-ombudswoman-says-russias-treatment-pows-may-break-geneva-conventions-2022-04-04/ |access-date=2022-04-04}}</ref> Dmytro Lubinets, head of the Ukrainian parliament's human rights committee, claimed that Russians forcibly shaved heads of female Ukrainian prisoners.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-03 |title=Highlights: 410 civilian bodies recovered from Kyiv region, says Ukrainian official |work=Hindustan Times |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-april-3-101648944096508.html |access-date=2022-04-09}}</ref> |
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==== Zaporizhzhia region ==== |
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In July 2022, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported on torture chambers in the Russian-occupied [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast|Zaporizhzhia region]] based on the testimony of a 16-year-old boy who was held in one of them, beginning in April. The boy was arrested by Russian soldiers while trying to leave the occupied city of [[Melitopol]] because he had a video on his phone from social media, which featured Russian soldiers expressing defeatist attitudes towards Russia's invasion. He was held in a make shift prison in [[Vasylivka]]. According to his testimony, he saw rooms where torture took place, as well as bloodstains and soaked bandages, and heard the screams of the people being tortured. The torture involved electric shocks and beatings and could last for several hours.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Beaumont |first=Peter |date=19 July 2022 |title= Ukrainian boy held hostage by Russia tells of cleaning up torture rooms |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/19/ukrainian-boy-held-hostage-by-russia-tells-of-cleaning-up-torture-rooms}}</ref> |
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==== Kherson region ==== |
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After the [[liberation of Kherson]] by Ukrainian forces from Russian occupation, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that investigators had discovered Russian torture chambers established especially for children. According to local testimony revealed by Lubinets, the children were denied food and given water only every other day, were told their parents had abandoned them and forced to clean up the blood resulting from torture in adjacent torture cells for adults.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-children-torture-chamber-b2245605.html | title=Ukrainian investigators uncover children's cell in Russian 'torture chamber' | website=[[Independent.co.uk]] | date=15 December 2022 }}</ref><ref name="reuters">{{cite news | url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/russians-mistreated-kherson-youngsters-childrens-cell-says-ukraine-official-2022-12-14/ | title=Russians mistreated Kherson youngsters in 'children's cell,' says Ukraine official | newspaper=Reuters | date=14 December 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/5787 | title=Chamber Used by Russians to Torture Children Found in Kherson }}</ref> Lubinets reported that a total of ten torture chambers were discovered by Ukrainian investigators in Kherson region, four of them in the city itself.<ref name=reuters/> |
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A Russian makeshift prison that functioned as an [[Federal Security Service|FSB]] torture chamber was discovered in the city, Ukrainian authorities estimated the number of people who had been imprisoned there at some point to be in the thousands. Among other instruments of torture, FSB officials used electric shocks against the victims.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Witnesses recount detentions, torture, disappearances in occupied Kherson |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/14/kherson-disappearances-detentions-torture-occupation/ |access-date=10 February 2023 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> |
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== Civilians as human shields == |
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===Russia=== |
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The International Criminal Court classifies using civilians as a human shield as a grave violation of the Geneva Convention and thus a war crime.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Bufacchi |first=Vittorio |date=26 July 2022 |title=War crimes in Ukraine: is Putin responsible? |journal=Journal of Political Power |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=1–6 |doi=10.1080/2158379x.2022.2105495 |s2cid=251124184 |issn=2158-379X|doi-access=free |hdl=10468/13459 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> On 29 June, the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] expressed concern about Russian armed forces and pro-Russian armed groups as well as Ukrainian forces taking up positions close to civilian objects without taking measures for protecting the civilians.<ref name="OHCHR_June_Human_Shields">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=23 July 2022 |at=para. 34}}</ref> The human rights agency received reports of the use of [[human shield]]s, which involves the deliberate use of civilians to render certain military objectives immune from attack.<ref name="OHCHR_June_Human_Shields" /> |
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[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] and ''[[The Economist]]'' reported Russian soldiers using over 300 Ukrainian civilians as human shields in [[Yahidne, Chernihiv Oblast|Yahidne]] from 3 to 31 March. Russian forces were using the village as a base to attack the nearby city of [[Chernihiv]] and had established a major military camp in the local school. For 28 days, 360 Ukrainian civilians, including 74 children and 5 persons with disabilities, were held captive in inhumane conditions in the basement of the school while the nearby areas were under attack by the Ukrainian forces.<ref name="HRW_Endangering" /> The basement was overcrowded, with no toilet facilities, water and ventilation. Ten elderly people died as a consequence of the poor detention conditions. Witness accounts report cases of torture and killings.<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 April 2022 |title=Russia's unspeakable horrors in northern Ukraine: Torture, murder and cluster bombs |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-18/the-horrors-of-russian-occupation-in-ukrainian-villages/100994262 |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=11 April 2022 |title=A Ukrainian village tries to make sense of Russian occupation |newspaper=The Economist |url=https://www.economist.com/europe/2022/04/11/a-ukrainian-village-tries-to-make-sense-of-russian-occupation |access-date=30 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="HRW_Kyiv_Chernihiv" /> According to the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]] what happened in the school of Yahidne suggests that the Russian armed forces were using civilians to render their base immune from military attacks while also subjecting them to inhuman and degrading treatment.<ref>{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=11 July 2022 |at=para. 37}}</ref> |
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The ''[[BBC]]'' and ''[[The Guardian]]'' found "clear evidence" of the use of Ukrainian civilians as human shields by Russian troops in the area near Kyiv after the Russian withdrawal on 1 April, citing eyewitness accounts from inhabitants of [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]] and the nearby village of [[Ivankiv]], and of residents of the village of Obukhovychi, near the [[Belarus]]ian border, Russian troops were accused of using civilians as human shields as they came under attack by Ukrainian soldiers. Multiple witnesses reported that, on 14 March, the Russian soldiers went door-to-door, rounded about 150 civilians and locked them up in the local school, where they were used as protection for the Russian forces.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bowen |first=Jeremy |date=7 April 2022 |title=Ukraine War: 'Russian soldiers held us as human shields' |language=en |website=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61020565 |access-date=29 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Boffey |first1=Daniel |date=2 April 2022 |title=Ukrainian children used as 'human shields' near Kyiv, say witness reports |language=en |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/ukrainian-children-used-as-human-shields-near-kyiv-say-witness-reports |url-status=live |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402202810/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/02/ukrainian-children-used-as-human-shields-near-kyiv-say-witness-reports |archive-date=2 April 2022}}</ref> |
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United Nations [[Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities]] stated that it had received reports of disabled people being used as "human shields" by Russian armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukraine: UN committee 'gravely concerned' over treatment of people with disabilities |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1126371 |publisher=[[United Nations]] |date=9 September 2022 |access-date=25 March 2023 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Russia's use of nuclear power plants for active military operations as tantamount to the use of human shields, citing reports that Russian forces were firing on Ukrainians from nuclear sites.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blinken says Russia is using Ukraine nuclear plant as "equivalent of a human shield" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blinken-russia-ukraine-nuclear-plant-zaporizhzhia-equivalent-of-a-human-shield/ |access-date=5 August 2022 |website=CBS News |date=August 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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===Ukraine=== |
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Since the beginning of the invasion,<ref>{{Cite web|date=29 March 2022 |title=Invasion of the Russian army|url=https://www.uawarexplained.com/russian-invasion/?version=sixty-minutes/|access-date=29 March 2022 |website=UaWarExplained |language=en}}</ref> Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of using human shields, a claim which has been rejected by scholars [[Michael N. Schmitt]], [[Neve Gordon]], and Nicola Perugini as an attempt to shift blame for civilian deaths to Ukraine.<ref name="Lieber_Human_Shields" /><ref name="alj0304222">{{cite news |date=3 April 2022 |title=Why we need to challenge Russia's human shields narrative |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Media Network|Al Jazeera]] |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2022/4/3/why-we-need-to-challenge-russias-human-shields-narrative |access-date=29 April 2022}}</ref> |
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On 7 March 2022, the Ukrainian armed forces reportedly occupied a care house in the village of Stara Krasnianka, near [[Kreminna]], [[Luhansk region]], and set up a firing position there without first evacuating the residents. On 11 March 2022, [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist forces]] [[Stara Krasnianka care house attack|attacked the care house]] with heavy weapons while 71 patients with disabilities and 15 members of staff were still inside. A fire broke out and approximately fifty people died. On 29 June 2022, the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]] published a report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine disclosing more information on the attack.<ref name="OHCHR_June" /> According to the report, Ukraine’s armed forces bear a significant responsibility for what happened because "a few days before the March 11 attack, Ukrainian soldiers took up positions inside the nursing home, effectively making the building a target."<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.N. Says Ukraine Bears Share of Blame for Nursing Home Attack |url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/ukraine-shares-blame-nursing-home-attack/ |access-date=2022-07-11 |website=FRONTLINE |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine partly responsible for attack on nursing home, UN says |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-10/un-report-finds-ukraine-russia-responsible-for-attack/101224672 |website=ABC News |language=en-AU |date=10 July 2022}}</ref> On 4 August 2022, [[Amnesty International]] expressed concern that "Ukrainian fighting tactics endanger civilians".<ref>{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Ukrainian fighting tactics endanger civilians |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/08/ukraine-ukrainian-fighting-tactics-endanger-civilians/ |website=Amnesty International |language=en |date=4 August 2022}}</ref> |
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== Sexual violence == |
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{{Main|Sexual violence in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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{{See also|Women in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#War crimes and violence against women}} |
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{{Summary too long|Sexual violence in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|date=August 2023}} |
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According to experts and Ukrainian officials, there are indications that sexual violence was tolerated by the Russian command and used in a systematic way as a weapon of war.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=John |first1=Tara |last2=Ochman |first2=Oleksandra |last3=Sidhu |first3=Sandi |date=22 April 2022 |title=Russian troops use rape as 'an instrument of war' in Ukraine, rights groups allege |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/22/europe/ukraine-sexual-violence-allegations-russia-cmd-intl/index.html |access-date=7 May 2022 |website=CNN}}</ref><ref name="NPR_Rape" />{{better source needed|reason=CNN and NPR quote Denisova who was dismissed in June 2022 for falsifications, so a more up-to-date source is needed|date=October 2023}} After the Russian withdrawal from areas north of Kyiv, there was "a mounting body of evidence" of rape, torture and summary killings by Russian forces inflicted upon Ukrainian civilians, including gang rapes committed at gunpoint and rapes committed in front of children.<ref name="Guardian_Rape" /> |
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In March 2022, the [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] stressed the heightened risks of sexual violence and the risk of under-reporting by victims in the country.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> At the beginning of June, the Monitoring Mission received reports of 124 episodes of conflict-related sexual violence committed against women, girls, men and boys in various Ukrainian cities and regions. The alleged perpetrators were from the ranks of Russian and pro-Russian separatist armed forces in 89 cases and from civilians or unidentified individuals in territory controlled by Russian armed forces in 2 cases.<ref name="OHCHR_June">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=4 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702112851/https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |archive-date=2 July 2022 |url-status=live |at=para. 96-102}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sexual Violence 'Most Hidden Crime' Being Committed against Ukrainians, Civil Society Representative Tells Security Council {{!}} Meetings Coverage and Press Releases |url=https://www.un.org/press/en/2022/sc14926.doc.htm |access-date=1 July 2022 |website=www.un.org}}</ref> |
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In late March, Ukraine's Prosecutor General opened an investigation into a case of a Russian soldier who was accused of killing an unarmed civilian and then repeatedly raping the dead man's wife. The incident allegedly took place on 9 March in [[Shevchenkove, Brovary Raion, Kyiv Oblast|Shevchenkove]], a village outside of Kyiv.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rai |first=Sarakshi |date=29 March 2022 |title=Ukraine opens first investigation into claims of rape against Russian soldiers |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/600247-ukraine-opens-first-investigation-into-claims-of-rape-by-russian/ |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> The wife related that two Russian soldiers raped her repeatedly after killing her husband and the family's dog while her four-year-old son hid in the house's boiler room. The account was first published by ''[[The Times]]'' of London.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Philp |first=Catherine |date=28 March 2022 |title='Russian soldiers raped me as my terrified son cried' |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/one-soldier-raped-me-then-the-other-as-my-son-cried-7xbqwzdqw |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331125808/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/one-soldier-raped-me-then-the-other-as-my-son-cried-7xbqwzdqw |archive-date=31 March 2022 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name="NYT_sexual_violence" /> Russian spokesperson [[Dmitry Peskov]] dismissed the allegation as a lie.<ref>{{cite news |title=Reports of sexual violence involving Russian soldiers are multiplying, Ukrainian officials say. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html |access-date=19 April 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]] |date=29 March 2022}}</ref> Ukrainian authorities have said that numerous reports of sexual assault and rape by Russian troops have emerged since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.<ref name="NYT_sexual_violence" /> Ukrainian MP [[Maria Mezentseva]] said that these types of cases were underreported and that there are many other victims.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Taylor |first=Harry |date=27 March 2022 |title=Russian soldiers raping and sexually assaulting women, says Ukraine MP |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/27/russian-soldiers-raping-and-sexually-assaulting-women-says-ukraine-mp?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> ''[[Meduza]]'' published an in-depth account of the same case in Bogdanivka and of other events.<ref>{{cite news |title='I can do whatever I want to you' Russian soldiers raped and murdered Ukrainian civilians in the village of Bogdanivka |date=18 April 2022 |newspaper=[[Meduza]] |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/04/18/i-can-do-whatever-i-want-to-you |access-date=19 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419164550/https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/04/18/i-can-do-whatever-i-want-to-you |archive-date=19 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In another reported incident, a Russian soldier entered a school in the village of [[Mala Rohan]] where civilians were sheltering and raped a young Ukrainian woman. Human Rights Watch reported that the woman was threatened and repeatedly raped by a Russian soldier who cut her cheek, neck and hair.<ref name="HRWCrimes4422" /> According to witness statements, the villagers informed Russian officers in charge of the occupation of the village of the incident, who arrested the perpetrator and told them that he would be summarily executed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sengupta |first=Kim |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukrainian mother 'raped by teenage Russian soldier' as she sheltered in school |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-mother-sexual-assault-b2048197.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331165310/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-russia-mother-sexual-assault-b2048197.html |archive-date=31 March 2022 |access-date=1 April 2022 |work=[[The Independent]]}}</ref> Ukrainian Foreign Minister [[Dmytro Kuleba]] stated that Russian soldiers had committed "numerous" rapes against Ukrainian women. According to the Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict database, sexual violence by Russian forces has been reported in three of seven years of conflict since 2014 in eastern Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hallsdóttir |first=Esther |date=31 March 2022 |title=Are Russian troops using sexual violence as a weapon? Here's what we know. |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/russia-ukraine-military-sexual-violence-rape/ |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220324184802/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/03/24/russia-ukraine-military-sexual-violence-rape/ |archive-date=24 March 2022 |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> |
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A report published by ''[[The Kyiv Independent]]'' included a photo and information about one man and two or three naked women under a blanket whose bodies Russian soldiers tried to burn on the side of a road before fleeing.<ref name="KyivIndependent03April">{{cite web |last=Rudenko |first=Olga |date=2 April 2022 |title=Hundreds of murdered civilians discovered as Russians withdraw from towns near Kyiv (graphic images) |url=https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |access-date=3 April 2022 |website=[[The Kyiv Independent]] |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220403022637/https://kyivindependent.com/national/hundreds-of-murdered-civilians-discovered-as-russians-withdraw-from-towns-near-kyiv-graphic-images/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Ukrainian officials said the [[Wartime sexual violence|women had been raped]] and the bodies burnt.<ref name="accuses">{{cite news |last1=Swinford |first1=Steven |last2=Waterfield |first2=Bruno |last3=Ames |first3=Jonathan |date=3 April 2022 |title=Zelensky accuses Russia of genocide in Irpin and Bucha |language=en |work=[[The Times]] |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-butchery-in-the-new-srebrenica-fuels-war-crimes-plea-vt7r5w8fl |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 April 2022 |archive-date=3 April 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220403131238/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/russian-butchery-in-the-new-srebrenica-fuels-war-crimes-plea-vt7r5w8fl |url-status=live}}</ref> Human Rights Watch received reports of other incidents of rape in Chernihiv region and Mariupol.<ref name="HRWCrimes4422">{{cite news |title=Ukraine: Apparent War Crimes in Russia-Controlled Areas |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/04/03/ukraine-apparent-war-crimes-russia-controlled-areas |access-date=4 April 2022 |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=4 April 2022}}</ref> [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] reported in April 2022 that "rapes, shootings and a senseless execution" have occurred in the village of Berestyanka near Kyiv, noting a specific incident where a man was reportedly shot by Russian soldiers on 9 March after attempting to block them from raping his wife and a female friend.<ref name="ABCBerestyanka">{{cite news |last1=Rubinsztein-Dunlop |first1=Sean |last2=Hemingway |first2=Phil |title=Ukraine thought Bucha would represent the worst of Russian atrocities. New horrors awaited them in Berestyanka |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-07/fears-for-ukrainian-town-of-berestyanka/100972266 |access-date=7 April 2022 |work=[[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] |date=7 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407033414/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-07/fears-for-ukrainian-town-of-berestyanka/100972266 |archive-date=7 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On 12 April 2022, ''[[BBC News]]'' interviewed a 50-year-old woman from a village 70 km west of Kyiv, who said that she was raped at gunpoint by a Chechen allied with the Russian Armed Forces. A 40-year-old woman was raped and killed by the same soldier, according to neighbours, leaving what ''BBC News'' described as a "disturbing crime scene". Police exhumed the 40-year-old's body the day after the visit by ''BBC News''.<ref name="BBC_RU_soldiers_raped_me">{{cite news |last1=Limaye |first1=Yogita |title=Ukraine conflict: 'Russian soldiers raped me and killed my husband' |date=12 April 2022 |newspaper=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-61071243 |access-date=16 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220416185632/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61071243 |archive-date=16 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> A report by ''The New York Times'' related that a Ukrainian woman was kidnapped by Russian soldiers, kept in a cellar as a sex slave and then executed.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Berehulak |first1=Daniel |last2=Gall |first2=Carlotta |date=11 April 2022 |title=Bucha's Month of Terror |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/11/world/europe/bucha-terror.html |access-date=26 June 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> On 3 June, the [[United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict]], [[Pramila Patten]], told the U.N. Security Council that dozens of violent sexual attacks against women and girls have been reported to the U.N. human rights office, and many more cases likely have not been reported. She also said the country is turning into “a human trafficking crisis.”<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 June 2022 |title=Live updates {{!}} Russia: we've destroyed artillery from West |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/russia-ap-moscow-kyiv-mark-milley-b2095574.html |access-date=16 June 2022 |website=[[The Independent]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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As of 5 July 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine had verified 28 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, torture, forced public stripping, and threats of sexual violence. OHCHR reported that 11 cases, including rape and gang rape, were committed by Russian armed forces and law enforcement.<ref name="OHCHR_July" /><ref name="OHCHR_June" /> In addition, due to the limited communication, especially with areas under [[Russian-occupied territories|Russian or separatist control]] (such as Mariupol) and contested cities, a major barrier to verification of cases remain access, the exact number of sexual violence cases have been difficult to track or respond to in a timely manner.<ref name="wapo1">{{Cite news |title=She was raped in Ukraine. How many others have stories like hers? |language=en-US |newspaper=[[Washington Post]] |publication-date=8 June 2022 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/08/ukraine-rape-sexual-violence/ |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220617162020/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/08/ukraine-rape-sexual-violence/ |archive-date=17 June 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |url-status=live }}</ref> Reports of sexual violence have been reported to Ukrainian and international authorities, law enforcement officials and media personnel as Russian troops have withdrawn.<ref>{{cite web |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |date=4 April 2022 |title=Rape as a weapon: huge scale of sexual violence inflicted in Ukraine emerges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/all-wars-are-like-this-used-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-ukraine |access-date=11 April 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> |
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A 52-year-old woman was taken by Russian soldiers in occupied Izyum and repeatedly raped while her husband was beaten. She, along with her husband, was arrested on 1 July and was taken to a small shed which served as a torture room. The Russian soldiers put bags over their heads and threatened them, afterwards, they forcibly undressed her, groped her, and told her that they would send photos of the activity to her family members to humiliate her and them. The woman was then raped repeatedly by the commander of the unit for the next three days, while simultaneously the other Russian soldiers beat her husband in a nearby garage. The rapist would then describe the assault to the husband. She attempted suicide by hanging, but failed. Subsequently, the Russian soldiers tortured her with electric shocks and humiliated her. The Russian commander also obtained the woman's bank number and stole the funds out of her account. The woman and her husband were released on 10 July when they were dumped blindfolded by the Russians at a nearby gas station. They managed to escape to Ukrainian territory, and, after Izyum was liberated in September, returned home.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Siobhán O'Grady |first1=Siobhan |last2=Galouchka |first2=Anastacia |last3=Shefte |first3=Whitney|title=In Russian-occupied Izyum, she was raped and tortured |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/10/09/izyum-rape-torture-occupation-russia/|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|date=10 October 2022}}</ref> |
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In late September 2022, a panel of investigators from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine released a statement which said that the commission has "documented cases in which children have been raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined" and labeled these as war crimes.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/hr-bodies/hrc/iicihr-ukraine/index | title=OHCHR | Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine }}</ref> The same report also referenced children being killed and injured by Russia's indiscriminate attacks as well as forced separation from family and kidnapping.<ref name="nytimes.com"/> |
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Doctors at a maternity clinic in [[Poltava]] reported cases of women who had been raped by Russian soldiers and then had window sealant injected into their sexual organs so that they could never have children.<ref name=times/> |
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== Looting == |
== Looting == |
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[[File:Kherson museum looted by Russian forces (05).jpg|thumb|Kherson Local History Museum after being looted by Russian troops]] |
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[[Looting]] is a war crime under Rule 52 of the Geneva Convention.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pillage is prohibited |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule52 |website=Customary IHL Database |publisher=(ICRC)/[[Cambridge University Press]]}}</ref> Survivors of [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]] and the [[Bucha massacre]] raised accusations that Russian soldiers looted the town taking jewelry, electronics, kitchen appliances, clothing and vehicles of evacuees, deceased and those still in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz |first=Sam |date=2022-04-07 |title=War in Ukraine: Russia leaves behind massacres in liberated towns |url=https://dailycampus.com/2022/04/07/war-in-ukraine-russia-leaves-behind-massacres-in-liberated-towns/ |access-date=2022-04-07 |website=The Daily Campus}}</ref> ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' journalist [[Yaroslav Trofimov]] reported hearing testimonies of Russian soldiers looting food and valuables during his visit to southern Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-03-16 |title='WSJ' reporter describes the looting and killing of civilians in southern Ukraine |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/16/1087028278/wsj-reporter-describes-the-looting-and-killing-of-civilians-in-southern-ukraine |access-date=2022-04-06}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' journalists visiting [[Trostianets]] after month-long Russian occupation found evidence of "systematic looting".<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-04-05 |first=Shaun |last=Walker |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=2022-04-06}}</ref> |
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{{main|Sacking by Russian forces during the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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{{See also|2022 Russian theft of Ukrainian grain|Art theft and looting by Russia during the invasion of Ukraine|Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion}} |
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[[Looting]] is a war crime under several treaties.<ref>{{cite web |title=Pillage is prohibited |url=https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docs/v1_rul_rule52 |website=Customary IHL Database |publisher=(ICRC)/[[Cambridge University Press]]}}</ref> Survivors of the [[Bucha massacre]], talking to [[Human Rights Watch]] (HRW) following the retreat of the Russian forces, described the treatment of people in the city during the occupation: Russian soldiers went door to door, questioning people and destroying their possessions. They also said that Russian soldiers looted the town, and took clothing, jewelry, electronics, kitchen appliances and vehicles of evacuees, the deceased, and those still in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Katz |first=Sam |date=7 April 2022 |title=War in Ukraine: Russia leaves behind massacres in liberated towns |url=https://dailycampus.com/2022/04/07/war-in-ukraine-russia-leaves-behind-massacres-in-liberated-towns/ |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=The Daily Campus}}</ref> ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' journalist [[Yaroslav Trofimov]] reported hearing of Russian soldiers looting food and valuables during his visit to southern Ukraine.<ref>{{Cite news |date=16 March 2022 |title='WSJ' reporter describes the looting and killing of civilians in southern Ukraine |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/03/16/1087028278/wsj-reporter-describes-the-looting-and-killing-of-civilians-in-southern-ukraine |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'' journalists visiting [[Trostianets]] after a month-long Russian occupation found evidence of "systematic looting".<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 April 2022 |first=Shaun |last=Walker |title='Barbarians': Russian troops leave grisly mark on town of Trostianets |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/05/barbarians-russian-troops-leave-grisly-mark-on-ukraine-town-of-trostianets |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref> Similarly, villagers in Berestyanka near Kyiv told [[ABC News (Australia)|ABC News]] that before the village returned to Ukrainian control, Russian soldiers looted clothes, household appliances and electronics from homes.<ref name="ABCBerestyanka" /> |
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Videos have been posted on Telegram, reportedly showing Russian soldiers sending stolen Ukrainian goods home through courier |
Videos have been posted on Telegram, reportedly showing Russian soldiers sending stolen Ukrainian goods home through courier services in Belarus. Items visible in videos included air conditioning units, alcohol, car batteries, and bags from [[Epicentr K]] stores.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 April 2022 |title=New footage shows Russian troops sending stolen Ukrainian items home through Belarus |work=[[Meduza]] |url=https://meduza.io/en/feature/2022/04/06/new-footage-shows-russian-troops-sending-stolen-ukrainian-items-home-through-belarus |access-date=6 April 2022}}</ref> News aggregator Ukraine Alert posted video showing stolen goods found in an abandoned Russian armored personnel carrier, and an image reportedly showing a damaged Russian military truck carrying three washing machines. Intercepted telephone calls have also made mention of looting; a call by a Russian soldier released by the [[Security Service of Ukraine]] included the soldier telling his girlfriend: "I stole some cosmetics for you" to which the girlfriend responded "What Russian person doesn't steal anything?"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wasiura |first=Michael |date=5 April 2022 |title=From clothes to children's toys to washing machines: Ukraine accuses Russian soldiers of looting |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ukraine-says-russian-army-looting-it-redeploys-east-south-1694543 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[Newsweek]]}}</ref> The Russian company [[CDEK]] postal service stopped live streaming its CCTV in early April. CDEK live-streams video from its delivery offices as a courtesy to customers to show them how busy the offices are, before customers visit the branches. This live stream was used by Lithuania-based exiled Belarusian dissident Anton Motolko as evidence of looting. Some of the items came from the [[Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant|Chernobyl nuclear power plant]] and were radioactive or [[radioactive contamination|contaminated with radioactivity]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2022 |title=Photos Indicate Russian Looting of Radioactive Materials from Ukraine's Chernobyl s |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/photos-indicate-russian-looting-of-radioactive-materials-from-ukraine-s-chernoby/6526620.html |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=[[Voice of America]]}}</ref> |
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There were reports of bazaars set up by Russian forces in Belarus to trade in looted goods, such items as "washing machines and dishwashers, refrigerators, jewelry, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, dishes, carpets, works of art, children's toys, cosmetics". Russian soldiers sought payment in euros and US dollars, however, and due to currency restrictions this was difficult for locals.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title='Bazaar' for looted Ukrainian property allegedly opened in Belarus |url=https://www.jpost.com/international/article-703211 |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=JPost}}</ref> |
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==Claims of intent== |
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===Genocidal intent=== |
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{{see also|Disinformation in the 2021–2022 Russo-Ukrainian crisis#Removing neo-Nazis from power}} |
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On 8 April 2022, historian [[Timothy D. Snyder]] described a 3 April "handbook" published by Timofey Sergeytsev on ''[[RIA Novosti]]'',<ref name="RIA_Novosti_what_RU_should_do_with_UA" /> [[What Russia should do with Ukraine]], as "an explicit program for the complete elimination of the Ukrainian nation as such".<ref name="Snyder_Russias_genocide_handbook" /> According to Snyder, Sergeytsev presents the Russian definition of "[[Nazi]]" as being "a Ukrainian who refuses to admit being a Russian", and any "affinity for Ukrainian culture or for the European Union" is seen as "[[Nazism]]". Thus, per Snyder, the document defines Russians as not being Nazis, and justifies using the methods of [[fascism]] against Ukrainians while calling the methods "denazification". Snyder describes the document as "one of the most openly genocidal documents [that he had] ever seen", stating that the document calls for the majority of Ukrainians, twenty million people, to be killed or sent to [[labor camps|labour camps]]. Snyder argues that Sergeytsev's document, published two days after information about the [[Bucha massacre]] became widely known, makes the establishment of [[genocidal intent]] much easier to prove legally than in other cases of mass killing.<ref name="Snyder_Russias_genocide_handbook" /> ''[[The Guardian]]'' also described Russian media, including ''RIA Novosti'', as encouraging genocide on the basis that Ukrainian resistance to the invasion was evidence of their Nazism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Fears genocidal language in Russian media may prompt more war crimes |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/07/russian-media-coverage-ukraine-genocidal-streak |website=the Guardian |date=7 April 2022}}</ref> |
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Widespread claims of [[Ukrainian cultural heritage during the 2022 Russian invasion#Damage|looting and other damage by Russian troops to cultural institutions]] were raised by Ukrainian officials with a majority of the accusations coming from the areas of Mariupol and [[Melitopol]]. Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces seized more than 2,000 artworks and [[Scythian art|Scythian gold]] from various museums and moved them into the Donbas region.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kinsella |first=Eileen |date=2 May 2022 |title=Ukrainian Officials Accuse Russian Forces of Looting Thousands of Priceless Gold Artifacts and Works of Art |url=https://news.artnet.com/art-world/ukraine-art-theft-scythian-gold-2107258 |access-date=22 May 2022 |website=Artnet News |language=en-US}}</ref> Experts in Ukraine and elsewhere who track Russian looting and destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine cite evidence that state-sponsored and systematic conducted by specialists began with the invasion of Crimea in 2014.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Salam |first1=Yasmine |last2=De Luce |first2=Dan |date=6 April 2023 |title='Just the way the Nazis did': Evidence suggests Russians are stealing art from Ukraine on a World War II scale |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russia-stealing-art-ukraine-nazi-level-world-war-2-rcna77879 |access-date=6 April 2023 |website=NBC News |language=en}}</ref> |
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==Legal proceedings== |
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== Forced conscription == |
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===International Criminal Court=== |
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At the end of February, Ukrainian civilians were reportedly forced to join the [[Russian separatist forces in Donbas|pro-Russian separatist forces]] in the self-proclaimed [[Luhansk People's Republic|Luhansk]] and [[Donetsk People's Republic|Donetsk people's republics]].<ref name="OHCHR_June_Conscription">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=28 July 2022 |at=para. 109–110}}</ref> The [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] documented cases of people forcefully taken to assembly points where they were recruited and immediately sent to the front line. They were men working in the public sector, including schools, and also people stopped on the street by representatives of local "commissariats".<ref name="OHCHR_June_Conscription" /> As recalled by the OHCHR, compelling civilians to serve in armed groups affiliated with a hostile power may constitute a serious breach of the laws and customs of international humanitarian law, and it constitutes a war crime under Article 8 of the [[Rome Statute]] of the ICC. The OHCHR also expressed concern about the case of some forced conscripts who have been prosecuted by Ukrainian authorities notwithstanding their combatant immunity under the law of armed conflict.<ref name="OHCHR_June_Conscription" /> |
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{{main|International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine}} |
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On 25 April 2014, the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC) started a preliminary examination of [[crimes against humanity]] that may have occurred in Ukraine in the 2014 [[Euromaidan]] protests and civil unrest, the 2014 [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]], and the [[Humanitarian situation during the war in Donbas#War crimes|war in Donbas]]. On 11 December 2020, the [[Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court|ICC Prosecutor]] found that "there was a reasonable basis to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed", that the "alleged crimes identified would [as of December 2020] be admissible", and that there was "a reasonable basis for investigation, subject to judicial authorisation".<ref name="ICC_preliminary_examination_UA" /><ref name="HRW_RU_UA_international_law" /> |
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== Mistreatment of prisoners of war == |
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On 25 February 2022, ICC Prosecutor [[Karim Ahmad Khan]] stated that the ICC could "exercise its jurisdiction and investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within Ukraine."<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_may_investigate" /> Khan stated on 28 February that he would launch [[International Criminal Court investigations|a full ICC investigation]] and that he had requested his team to "explore all evidence preservation opportunities". He stated that it would be faster to officially open the investigation if an ICC member state referred the case for investigation. Lithuanian prime minister [[Ingrida Simonyte]] stated on the same day that Lithuania had requested that the ICC investigation be opened.<ref name="Guardian_ICC_to_investigate" /> |
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{{main|Treatment of prisoners of war in the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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{{See also|Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War#Prisoners of war}} |
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{{Summary too long|Treatment of prisoners of war in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|date=August 2023}} |
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As of November 2022, the [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] (HRMMU) conducted 159 interviews with prisoners of war held by the [[Russian Armed Forces|Russian]] and [[Russian people's militias in Ukraine|Russian-affiliated forces]], and 175 interviews with prisoners of war held by Ukraine.<ref name="HRMMU_Prisoners of war" /> The vast majority of Ukrainian prisoners reported that they had been held in dire conditions of internment and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings, threats, [[mock execution]]s, [[Electrical injury#Torture|electric]] and [[Stress position|positional torture]]. Several women prisoners were threatened with sexual violence and subjected to degrading treatments and enforced nudity. The UN agency also collected information about nine possible cases of death during the "[[Russian filtration camps for Ukrainians|admission procedures]]" to the internment camps.<ref name="HRMMU_Prisoners of war">{{Cite web |date=15 November 2022 |title=Ukraine / Russia: Prisoners of war |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-briefing-notes/2022/11/ukraine-russia-prisoners-war |access-date=25 November 2022 |website=[[OHCHR]] |language=en}}</ref> According to HRMMU report, Russian prisoners of war made credible allegations of [[summary execution]]s, torture and ill-treatment by members of the Ukrainian forces. In several cases Russian prisoners were stabbed and subjected to electric torture.<ref name="HRMMU_Prisoners of war" /> Ukraine launched criminal investigations into allegations of mistreatment of prisoners of war.<ref name="HRMMU_Prisoners of war" /> |
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On 2 March, 39 states had already referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC Prosecutor, who could then open an investigation into past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards.<ref name="ICC_Khan_receipt_referral" /><ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Russia faces war crimes investigation |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60597751 |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303151338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60597751 |archive-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> On 11 March two additional referrals were submitted to the ICC Prosecutor, and the Prosecutor declared that investigations would begin.<ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2"/> The Prosecutor's office set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators,<ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2"/> and a team of investigators, lawyers and other professionals was sent to Ukraine to begin collecting evidence.<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_team_leaves_to_Ukraine2"/><ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2"/> |
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=== Mistreatment of Russian POWs === |
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Neither Ukraine nor Russia are parties to the [[Rome Statute]], the legal basis of the ICC. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate because Ukraine signed two declarations consenting to ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed in Ukraine from 21 November 2013 onwards.<ref name="icc-cpi.int"/><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |date=28 February 2022 |title=The ICC says it will open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/28/1083598057/icc-ukraine-investigation |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=ICC prosecutor: Team leaves to investigate war crimes in Ukraine |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03/ |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> Articles 28(a) and 28(b) of the [[:wikisource:Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court|Rome Statute]] define the relation between command responsibility and superior responsibility of the [[Order of battle for the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|chain of command structures of the armed forces]] involved.<ref name="CILRAP_int_crim_law_command_responsibility" /> |
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[[File:Military_of_the_Russian_Federation_captured_during_the_Battle_of_Sumy.jpg|thumb|Captured Russian soldiers during the [[Battle of Sumy]].]] |
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As of 31 July 2022, [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]] documented 50 cases of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners of war in the power of Ukraine, including cases of beating, shooting, stabbing, [[Stress position|positional]] and [[Electrical injury#Torture|electric torture]].<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> One prisoner of war was reportedly suffocated by Ukrainian policemen of the Kharkiv [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] during his interrogation.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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==== Torture of Russian POWs in Mala Rohan ==== |
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===International Court of Justice=== |
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{{ |
{{See also|Torture of Russian soldiers in Mala Rohan}} |
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According to a report by the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN High Commissioner for Human Rights]] (OHCHR), members of [[Armed Forces of Ukraine|Ukrainian armed forces]] shot the legs of three captured Russian soldiers and tortured Russian soldiers who were wounded.<ref name="Report_OHCHR">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=27 July 2022|at=para. 105}}</ref> The incident is likely to have occurred on the evening of 25 March 2022 in [[Mala Rohan]], south-east of [[Kharkiv]], in an area recently recaptured by Ukrainian troops,<ref name="Le Monde">{{Cite news |date=13 May 2022 |title=Prisonniers russes torturés: des vidéos vérifiées par " Le Monde " mettent en cause un bataillon de volontaires ukrainiens |language=fr |trans-title=Russian prisoners tortured: videos verified by "Le Monde" implicate a battalion of Ukrainian volunteers |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/video/2022/05/13/prisonniers-russes-tortures-des-videos-verifiees-par-le-monde-mettent-en-cause-un-bataillon-de-volontaires-ukrainiens_6125904_3210.html |access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref><ref name="BBC_POW_shot" /> and was first reported following the publication on social media accounts of a video of unknown authorship between 27 and 28 March.<ref name="HRW">{{Cite web |date=2 April 2022 |title=Ukraine: Apparent POW Abuse Would Be War Crime |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/ukraine-apparent-pow-abuse-would-be-war-crime |access-date=9 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> One of the video's versions depicts a number of soldiers lying on the ground; many appear to be bleeding from leg wounds. Three prisoners are brought out of a vehicle and shot in the leg by someone off-camera.<ref name=":5">{{Cite report |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/documents/country-reports/situation-human-rights-ukraine-context-armed-attack-russian-federation |title=The situation of human rights in Ukraine in the context of the armed attack by the Russian Federation, 24 February to 15 May 2022 |date=29 June 2022 |publisher=[[OHCHR]] |access-date=27 July 2022 |at=para. 105}}</ref> |
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==== Alleged execution of captured Russian soldiers ==== |
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On 27 February, Ukraine filed a petition with the [[International Court of Justice]] arguing that Russia violated the [[Genocide Convention]] using an unsubstantiated accusation of genocide in order to justify its aggression against Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deutsch |first1=Anthony |last2=Sterling |first2=Toby |title=Ukraine rejects Russia's genocide claim, asks U.N. court to halt invasion |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lodges-case-against-russia-world-court-zelensky-2022-02-27/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227134729/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lodges-case-against-russia-world-court-zelensky-2022-02-27/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Milanovic |first=Marko |title=Ukraine Files ICJ Claim against Russia |url=https://www.ejiltalk.org/ukraine-files-icj-claim-against-russia/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=EJIL: Talk! |date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303230727/https://www.ejiltalk.org/ukraine-files-icj-claim-against-russia/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On 6 April 2022 a video allegedly showing Ukrainian troops of the [[Georgian Legion (Ukraine)|Georgian Legion]] executing captured Russian soldiers was posted on Telegram.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shull |first=Abbie |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian soldiers executing Russian soldier captured in an ambush outside Kyiv, New York Times reports |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/video-appears-to-show-ukrainian-soldiers-executing-captured-russian-soldier-nyt-2022-4 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=Business Insider}}</ref> The video was verified by ''[[The New York Times]]'' and by [[Reuters]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hill |first=Evan |date=6 April 2022 |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian troops killing captured Russian soldiers. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/04/06/world/ukraine-russia-war-news |access-date=7 April 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="Reuters_killing_POWS" /> A wounded Russian soldier was seemingly shot twice by a Ukrainian soldier while lying on the ground. Three dead Russian soldiers, including one with a head wound and hands tied behind his back, were shown near the soldier. The video appeared to have been filmed on a road north of the village of Dmytrivka, seven miles south of [[Bucha, Kyiv Oblast|Bucha]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 April 2022 |title=Graphic Video Appears to Show Ukrainian Troops Killing Russian Soldiers Outside Kyiv|url=https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/04/07/graphic-video-shows-ukrainian-troops-killing-russian-soldiers-outside-kyiv-nyt-a77256 |access-date=7 April 2022 |website=[[The Moscow Times]]}}</ref> Ukrainian authorities promised an investigation.<ref name=Grynszpan&Vincent>{{Cite news |date=9 April 2022 |title=Ukraine's military accused of war crimes against Russian troops |language=en |work=Le Monde.fr |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2022/04/09/ukraine-s-military-accused-of-war-crimes-against-russian-troop_5980121_4.html |access-date=18 May 2022}} |
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*{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Nathan |last2=Eoin |first2=McSweeney |last3=Kennedy |first3=Niamh |title=Video appears to show execution of Russian prisoner by Ukrainian forces |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/07/europe/ukraine-execution-russian-prisoner-intl/index.html |work=CNN}}</ref> |
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==== Disputed surrender of Russian soldiers in Makiivka ==== |
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On 1 March, the ICJ officially called on Russia to "act in such a way" that would make it possible for a decision on ''provisional measures'' to become effective.<ref name="ICJ_UAvsRU_request_provisional_measures" /> Initial hearings in the case took place on 7 March 2022 at [[Peace Palace]] in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]—the seat of the court—to determine Ukraine's entitlement to provisional relief.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/international-court-of-justice-to-fast-track-ruling-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraines |title=International court of justice to fast-track ruling on Russian invasion |date=7 March 2022 |first=Patrick |last=Wintour |author-link=Patrick Wintour |access-date=7 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307181739/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/international-court-of-justice-to-fast-track-ruling-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> The Russian delegation did not appear for these proceedings,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |date=7 March 2022 |title=Russian representatives skip UN court hearing on Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/597124-russian-representatives-skip-un-court-hearing-on-ukraine |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307200551/https://thehill.com/policy/international/597124-russian-representatives-skip-un-court-hearing-on-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> but submitted a written statement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/182 |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) |website=[[International Court of Justice]] |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313101013/https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/182 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{main|Makiivka surrender incident}} |
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On 12 November 2022, a video appeared on pro-Ukrainian websites showing the bodies of soldiers in Russian uniforms lying on the ground in a farmyard in the [[Makiivka]] area.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web |date=18 November 2022 |title=Ukraine war: Were Russian soldiers shot after surrendering? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63676446 |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=20 November 2022 |title=Videos Suggest Captive Russian Soldiers Were Killed at Close Range |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/world/europe/russian-soldiers-shot-ukraine.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120200007/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/world/europe/russian-soldiers-shot-ukraine.html |archive-date=20 November 2022 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> On 17 November, more footage emerged, taken from the ground by a person at the scene. The video shows the Russian soldiers as they exit a building, surrender, and lay face down on the ground. Then another Russian soldier emerges from the same building and opens fire on the Ukrainian soldiers who are surprised.<ref name=":02" /><ref name=":12" /> An aerial video from the site documents the aftermath, with at least 12 bodies of Russian soldiers, most positioned as they were when they surrendered, bleeding from gunshot wounds to the head.<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2022 |title=Russia says Ukrainian soldiers executed prisoners of war in Donbas region |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/18/russia-says-ukrainian-soldiers-executed-prisoners-of-war-in-donbas-region |access-date=21 November 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> |
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On 16 March 2022, the court ruled 13–2 that Russia must "immediately suspend the military operations" it commenced on 24 February 2022 in Ukraine,<ref name="ICJ-2022.3.16">{{Cite press release |date=16 March 2022 |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation): The Court indicates provisional measures |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220316-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |publisher=[[International Court of Justice]] |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> with Vice-president [[Kirill Gevorgian]] of Russia and Judge [[Xue Hanqin]] of China dissenting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quell |first=Molly |title=International Court of Justice orders Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-world-court-to-rule-on-emergency-measures-sought-by-ukraine-in-case/ |date=16 March 2022 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> The court also unanimously called for "[b]oth Parties [to] refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.<ref name="ICJ-2022.3.16" /> |
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The authenticity of the videos was verified by ''The New York Times.<ref name=":12" />'' Russia and Ukraine accused each other of war crimes, with Russia accusing Ukraine of "mercilessly shooting unarmed Russian P.O.W.s," and Ukraine accusing the Russians of opening fire while surrendering.<ref name=":12" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=22 November 2022 |title=Moscow claims this footage shows the 'murder' of 'immobilised' Russian soldiers. Here's what we know |language=en-AU |work=ABC News |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-22/ukraine-videos-alleged-war-crimes-russia-prisoners-makiivka/101682018 |access-date=22 November 2022}}</ref> Ukraine's officials said the [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine|Prosecutor General]]'s office would investigate the video footage as the incident may qualify as a crime of "[[perfidy]]" committed by the Russian troops in feigning surrender.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Ukrainian AG's office investigates Russian POW execution video, suspects Makiivka captives of feigning surrender |url=https://meduza.io/en/news/2022/11/22/ukrainian-ag-s-office-investigates-russian-pow-execution-video-suspects-makiivka-captives-of-feigning-surrender |access-date=22 November 2022 |website=Meduza |language=en}}</ref> On 25 November the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|UN High Commissioner for Human Rights]] [[Volker Türk]] said "Our Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has conducted a preliminary analysis indicating that these disturbing videos are highly likely to be authentic in what they show" and called on the Ukrainian authorities to investigate the allegations of summary executions of Russian prisoners of war "in a manner that is – and is seen to be – independent, impartial, thorough, transparent, prompt and effective."<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 November 2022 |title=Missile strikes on Ukraine and alleged POW executions underscore why international law must be respected - UN Human Rights Chief |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/11/missile-strikes-ukraine-and-alleged-pow-executions-underscore-why |access-date=25 November 2022 |website=[[OHCHR]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Ukrainian chief federal prosecutors investigation=== |
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=== Mistreatment of Ukrainian POWs === |
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Ukraine's chief prosecutor has announced that he is building 2,500 war crimes cases against Vladimir Putin's invasion.<ref name="Telegraph_2500_warcrimes_cases">{{cite news |last1=Farmer |first1=Ben |last2=Kozyreva |first2=Tanya |last3=Townsley |first3=Simon |title=I'm building 2,500 war crimes cases against Vladimir Putin's invasion, says Ukraine's chief prosecutor |date=30 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-21st-century-war-criminal-ukraines-chief-prosecutor-investigate |access-date= 2 April 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220331190405/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-21st-century-war-criminal-ukraines-chief-prosecutor-investigate |archive-date= 31 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine)|Ukrainian foreign minister]] [[Dmytro Kuleba]] stated on 25 February that Russia was committing war crimes, and that the ministry and the [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine]] were collecting evidence, including attacks on kindergartens and orphanages, which would be "immediately transfer[red]" to the ICC.<ref name="TheHill_UA_minister_decries" /> |
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{{See also|Olenivka prison massacre}} |
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As of 31 July 2022, OHCHR said that of 35 interviewed, 27 Ukrainian prisoners of war had been tortured by Russian and pro-Russian armed forces or policemen. Victims reported being punched, kicked, beaten with police batons and wooden hammers, electrocuted, threatened with execution or sexual violence, and shot in the legs.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> OHCHR had also received information about the deaths of two Ukrainian prisoners as a result of torture, one beaten and electrocuted on 9 May at the Melitopol airfield, the other beat to death at the Volnovakha penal colony near Olenivka, Donetsk region, on 17 April.<ref name="HRMMU_Report_March" /> |
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==== Execution of surrendering Ukrainian soldiers ==== |
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===International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine=== |
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At an [[Arria formula meeting|Arria-formula meeting]] of the UN Security Council, [[United States Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice|US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice]] [[Beth Van Schaack]] said that US authorities have evidence that surrendering Ukrainian soldiers were executed by the Russian army in [[Donetsk]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ankel |first=Sophia |title=US has evidence that Russian troops in the Donbas are executing Ukrainians even as they surrender, official says |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/evidence-russia-executing-ukrainians-trying-to-surrender-us-official-2022-4 |access-date=29 April 2022 |website=[[Business Insider]] |language=en-US}} |
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{{main|International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine}} |
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*{{cite news |last1=Coote |first1=Darryl |date=28 April 2022 |title=Surrendering Ukrainians were executed by Russia, U.S. says in U.N. war crimes meeting |url=https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2022/04/28/Ukrainians-executed-Russian-war-crimes/7051651120048/ |access-date=28 April 2022 |work=[[United Press International|UPI]]}}</ref> A Ukrainian soldier shown among prisoners in a Russian video on 20 April, was confirmed dead days later.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ukrainian prisoner of war confirmed dead days after Russian capture |url=https://edition.cnn.com/videos/world/2022/05/02/ukrainian-war-prisoner-death-dnt-rivers-newday-intl-ldn-vpx.cnn |date=2 May 2022 |website=[[CNN]] |language=en |access-date=2 May 2022}}</ref> |
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On 4 March 2022, the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] voted 32 in favour versus 2 against and 13 absentions to create the [[International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine]], an independent international committee of three [[human rights]] experts with a mandate to investigate violations of human rights and of [[international humanitarian law]] in the context of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="Jurist_UNHRC_establishes" /><ref name="UNHRC_establishes_commission_RU_aggression" /> |
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Eyewitness accounts and a security camera video show that on 4 March Russian paratroopers executed at least eight Ukrainian prisoners of war in Bucha. The victims were local inhabitants joined the defense forces shortly before they were killed.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |last1=Al-Hlou |first1=Yousur |last2=Froliak |first2=Masha |last3=Hill |first3=Evan |last4=Browne |first4=Malachy |last5=Botti |first5=David |date=19 May 2022 |title=New Evidence Shows How Russian Soldiers Executed Men in Bucha |language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/world/europe/russia-bucha-ukraine-executions.html |access-date=18 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528185253/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/19/world/europe/russia-bucha-ukraine-executions.html |archive-date=28 May 2022 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> |
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===UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine=== |
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{{main|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine}} |
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The [[UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] (HRMMU), whose monitoring of human rights violations by all parties in Ukraine started in 2014,<ref name="Hromadske_UNHRMMU" /> continued its monitoring during the 2022 Russian invasion, retaining 60 monitors in Ukraine.<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes" /> On 30 March 2022, HRMMU had recorded 24 "credible allegations" of Russian use of [[cluster munition]]s and 77 incidents of damage to medical facilities during the invasion. [[Michelle Bachelet]] stated, "The massive destruction of civilian objects and the high number of civilian casualties strongly indicate that the fundamental principles of [[distinction (law)|distinction]], proportionality and precaution have not been sufficiently adhered to."<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes" /> |
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====Torture and castration of Ukrainian prisoners==== |
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=== EU Joint Investigation Team === |
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In June 2023 ''[[The Times]]'' reported on two former Ukrainian soldiers who had been tortured by Russians while in captivity and castrated with a knife, before being freed in a prisoner of war swap. A psychologist who was treating the men reported that she had heard of many other similar cases from her colleagues.<ref name=times>{{Cite news |last=Lamb |first=Christina |date=17 June 2023 |title=She thought she was unshockable, then two castrated Ukrainian soldiers arrived |work=The Times |url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ukraine-soldiers-castrated-russia-war-0hflzhzlv}}</ref> |
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In the aftermath of the [[Bucha massacre]], the EU established a [[Joint investigation team|Joint Investigation Team]] with Ukraine to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity. Within the framework of the Join Investigation Team, a pool of investigators and legal experts by [[Eurojust]] and [[Europol]] is made available for providing assistance to the Ukrainian Prosecution Services.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her phone call with President Zelenskyy on the Commission's reactions to the atrocities in Bucha |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=2022-04-05 |website=European Commission – European Commission}}</ref> On 6 April 2022, [[United States]] [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Merrick Garland]] announced that the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] was assisting Eurojust and Europol prosecutors with their investigation, and that the Justice and [[United States Department of State|State Departments]] were also making efforts to support the Ukrainian prosecutor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=6 April 2022 |title=Garland: DOJ assisting international war crimes investigations in Ukraine |work=Politico |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/06/doj-war-crimes-investigations-ukraine-00023393}}</ref> |
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==== Illegal trials of Ukrainian prisoners ==== |
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===International legal task force=== |
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Russia has prosecuted multiple Ukrainian prisoners for being members of the [[Azov Brigade]], which it considers a terrorist organisation. [[Human Rights Watch]] noted that as the defendants' alleged actions were not illegal in the time and place they were committed, such prosecutions violated the Third Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as they appeared to be retaliation against the prisoners for their participation in the defence of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/07/06/russias-sham-trial-ukrainian-prisoners-war|title=Russia’s Sham Trial of Ukrainian Prisoners of War|website=Human Rights Watch|author=Kseniya Kvitka|date=6 July 2023}}</ref> |
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{{main|Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine}} |
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In late March 2022, the [[Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine]], a ''[[pro bono]]'' international group of lawyers, was created to help [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine|Ukrainian prosecutors]] coordinate legal cases for war crimes and other crimes related to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="DoughtySt_gov_UA_announces" /><ref name="Telegraph_2500_warcrimes_cases" /> |
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===== Death sentence against foreign soldiers serving in the Ukrainian armed forces ===== |
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===Universal jurisdiction=== |
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Following a trial by the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic, three foreign-born members of the Ukrainian armed forces, [[Aiden Aslin]], [[Shaun Pinner]], and [[Brahim Saadoune|Brahim Saadoun]] were declared [[mercenaries]] and sentenced to [[execution by firing squad]].<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Crisp |first1=James |last2=Vasilyeva |first2=Nataliya |last3=Penna |first3=Dominic |date=9 June 2022 |title=Captured British fighters Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner sentenced to death |language=en-GB |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/09/british-fighters-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner-sentenced-death-russian/ |access-date=11 June 2022 |issn=0307-1235}}</ref> Aslin and Pinner, originally from England, had been serving in the Ukrainian military since 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 June 2022 |title=Aiden Aslin: Ukraine Briton told execution will go ahead |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-61900291 |access-date=15 September 2022}}</ref> while Saadoun had come in 2019 from Morocco to study in Kyiv,<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 June 2022 |title=Moroccan sentenced to death is a victim of Russian 'games', friends say |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/12/moroccan-sentenced-to-death-is-a-victim-of-russian-games-friends-say |access-date=15 September 2022 |work=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> having enlisted in November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Jenipher Camino |last1=Gonzales |title=Moroccan fighter sentenced to death is 'victim of this war,' friend says |url=https://p.dw.com/p/4CY47 |access-date=15 September 2022 |work=[[Deutsche Welle]] |date=10 June 2022 |language=English}}</ref> The ruling was described as illegal because the defendants qualify as [[Prisoner of war|prisoners of war]] under the Geneva Conventions and have not been accused of committing any war crimes.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hill-Cawthorne |first=Lawrence |date=9 June 2022 |title=British POWs sentenced to death after 'show trial' which appears to violate Geneva Conventions |url=http://theconversation.com/ukraine-british-pows-sentenced-to-death-after-show-trial-which-appears-to-violate-geneva-conventions-184777 |access-date=12 June 2022 |work=[[The Conversation (website)|The Conversation]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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{{main|Universal jurisdiction investigations of war crimes in Ukraine}} |
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Several states, including Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine, announced in March and April 2022 that they would conduct investigations of war crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine under the [[universal jurisdiction]] principle of international humanitarian law.<ref name="FletcherSchool_war_crimes_Putin" /> |
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On 10 June 2022 the [[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights]] condemned the death sentences and the trial. A spokesperson of the organisation declared that "such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime",<ref name="Death_sentence" /> and highlighted that according to the chief command of Ukraine, all the defendants were part of the Ukrainian armed forces and therefore should not have been considered mercenaries. The OHCHR spokesperson also expressed concern about procedural fairness, stating that "since 2015, we have observed that the so-called judiciary within these self-contained republics has not complied with essential fair trial guarantees, such as public hearings, independence, impartiality of the courts and the right not to be compelled to testify".<ref name="Death_sentence">{{Cite web |date=10 June 2022 |title=Death sentence for Ukraine foreign fighters is a war crime: UN rights office |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/06/1120102 |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=UN News |language=en}}</ref> |
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===Other legal aspects=== |
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[[Gyunduz Mamedov]], a former deputy Prosecutor General of Ukraine, stated on 25 February 2022 that he was gathering evidence of war crimes.<ref name="Newsweek_ExUA_prosecutor_stockpiling_evidence" /> Several journalists and photojornalists are independently documenting war crimes perpetrated in the invasion. |
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The [[International Bar Association]] issued a statement saying "that any implementation of the ‘pronounced’ death penalty will be an obvious case of plain murder of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saaudun and deemed an international war crime. Any perpetrators (anyone engaged in the so-called DPR ‘court’ and anyone who conspired to execute this decision) will be regarded as war criminals", also pointing out that neither Russian nor Ukrainian law allows the death penalty.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IBA and IBAHRI strongly condemn the illegal 'trial' and sentencing to death of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saaudun |url=https://www.ibanet.org/IBA-and-IBAHRI-strongly-condemn-the-illegal-trial-and-sentencing-to-death-of-Aiden-Aslin-Shaun-Pinner-and-Brahim-Saaudun |access-date=16 June 2022 |publisher=International Bar Association |language=en}}</ref> |
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== International reactions == |
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During a debate in the [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] on 24 February 2022, UK Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] said that "anyone who sends a Russian into battle to kill innocent Ukrainians" could face charges, comparing Putin to [[Slobodan Milošević]]. Johnson also expressed support for the formation of an international tribunal to try the perpetrators of war crimes committed during the war. [[Chris Bryant]], a MP for the opposition [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]], said that Putin "must be brought to a court of law and end his days in prison".<ref>{{cite news |title=PM suggests Putin 'could face war crimes charges' over Ukraine |url=https://news.stv.tv/world/boris-johnson-signals-vladimir-putin-could-face-war-crime-charges-over-ukraine |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=[[STV News]] |date=24 February 2022 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225004321/https://news.stv.tv/world/boris-johnson-signals-vladimir-putin-could-face-war-crime-charges-over-ukraine |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On 12 June, Donetsk People's Republic leader [[Denis Pushilin]] reiterated that the separatists did not see the trio as prisoners of war, but rather as people who came to Ukraine to kill civilians for money, adding that he saw no reason to modify or mitigate the sentences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pro-Russian Separatists Uphold Foreigners' Death Sentences |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/pro-russian-separatists-uphold-foreigners-death-sentences/6614629.html |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=[[Voice of America]] |date=12 June 2022 |language=en}}</ref> Russian State Duma Chairman [[Vyacheslav Volodin]] accused the trio of fascism, reiterating that they deserved the death penalty. He added that the Ukrainian armed forces were committing crimes against humanity and were being controlled by a neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kasraoui |first=Safaa |title=Russia's Duma Speaker: Brahim Saadoun, 2 Britons Deserve Death Penalty |url=https://www.moroccoworldnews.com/2022/06/349734/russias-duma-speaker-brahim-saadoun-2-britons-deserve-death-penalty |access-date=16 June 2022 |work=Morocco World News |language=en}}</ref> |
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On 15 March 2022, the [[United States Senate]] unanimously declared Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] to be a war criminal.<ref>{{cite news |title=U.S. Senate unanimously condemns Putin as war criminal |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-unanimously-condemns-putin-war-criminal-2022-03-15 |access-date=16 February 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=15 February 2022 |archive-date=16 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220316011755/https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-senate-unanimously-condemns-putin-war-criminal-2022-03-15/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The next day, [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Joe Biden]] called Putin a war criminal, and a day later [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Antony Blinken]] stated that in his personal opinion, he agreed that war crimes had been committed in Ukraine. He stated, "Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime." On 23 March, Blinken announced that the United States formally declared that the Russian military had committed war crimes in Ukraine, stating, "based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/23/politics/us-russia-war-crimes/index.html | title=US formally declares Russian military has committed war crimes in Ukraine | publisher=[[CNN]] | date=23 March 2022 | access-date=23 March 2022 |last=Hansler |first=Jennifer}}</ref> A week later the US State Department issued a formal assessment that Russia has committed war crimes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/599419-us-determines-russia-has-committed-war-crimes-in-ukraine/|title=US determines Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine|date=23 March 2022}}</ref> |
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On 17 June, the [[European Court of Human Rights]] issued an emergency stay of Saadoun Brahim's<!-- names are in the opposite order above, need to figure out which is right --> execution. It stressed that Russia was still obliged to follow the court's rulings.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 June 2022 |title=Civilian evacuation from Sievierodonetsk plant 'impossible', says governor – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jun/16/russia-ukraine-war-european-leaders-expected-to-meet-in-kyiv-us-pledges-further-1bn-arms-package-live |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=ECHR orders Russia to prevent execution of Moroccan who fought for Ukraine |url=https://www.aa.com.tr/en/russia-ukraine-war/echr-orders-russia-to-prevent-execution-of-moroccan-who-fought-for-ukraine/2615799 |access-date=17 June 2022 |work=Anadolu Agency}}</ref> Earlier in June, the Russian State Duma passed a law to end the jurisdiction of the court in Russia, but it had not yet been signed into law.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Russian State Duma Votes To Quit European Court Of Human Rights |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-duma-votes-to-quit-european-court-human-rights/31887853.html |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |language=en}}</ref> |
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On 3 April 2022, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described abuses by Russian forces in Ukrainian towns, particularly Bucha as possible war crimes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia 'must answer for crimes' in Ukraine says French president |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220403-russia-must-answer-for-crimes-in-ukraine-says-france-s-macron-eu-atrocities-bucha |access-date=7 April 2022 |publisher=rfi |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> On 7 April, French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] described the alleged killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were "very probably war crimes."<ref>{{cite news |title=French President Macron says killings in Bucha were 'very probably' war crimes |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/french-president-macron-says-killings-183946778.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS5hdS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADe0FArQS8VDR3sQ7ufUZS86GzLeX1HP46uEMwbf7jF0uUxYftxq85DoOsSRpCLRlQA-RmEbOo9rTqMgRqSTzma4vZ2tr7wmYtJNEwdN0z9HNGmw3__GjM0fz_7uiLX9DOuET5PQEZgWxBZtuAeQbpCJ5_YWTMUuXMor_uDoGrgE |access-date=7 April 2022 |publisher=Yahoo news |date=7 April 2022}}</ref> |
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On 8 July the DPR lifted a moratorium on the death penalty.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/7/8/separatist-run-donetsk-lifts-suspension-on-the-death-sentences|title=Ukraine: Russia-backed separatists lift death penalty moratorium|work=Al Jazeera}}</ref> On 21 September five British citizens held by [[Russian people's militias in Ukraine|pro-Russian separatists]] were released, including those sentenced to death,<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 September 2022 |title=Emotional reunions for British POWs as they return to Heathrow after being held on death row by Russian forces |url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/british-nationals-reunited-family-released-russia/ |access-date=25 November 2022 |work=LBC |language=en}}</ref> and also the Moroccan citizen Saadoun Brahim was freed after a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 September 2022 |title=Freed Moroccan prisoner of war Brahim Saadoun speaks of Ukraine struggle |url=https://english.alarabiya.net/News/world/2022/09/25/Freed-Moroccan-prisoner-of-war-Brahim-Saadoun-speaks-of-Ukraine-struggle |access-date=26 November 2022 |website=Al Arabiya English |language=en}}</ref> |
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The United Nations General Assembly voted on 7 April 2022 to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council over "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights". The measure needed members to vote in favor by two-thirds of the countries present and voting not counting abstentions. The measure passed with a result of 93 in favor, 24 against and 58 abstentions. After the suspension, Russia's deputy U.N. Ambassador Gennady Kuzmin announced that Russia had decided to quit the Human Rights Council altogether.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Michelle |date=2022-04-07 |title=U.N. suspends Russia from human rights body, Moscow then quits |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/un-vote-suspending-russia-human-rights-council-over-ukraine-2022-04-07/ |access-date=2022-04-07}}</ref> |
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==== Execution of Oleksandr Matsievskyi ==== |
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==See also== |
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{{main|Execution of Oleksandr Matsievskyi}} |
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* [[Legality of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]] |
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In early March 2023 a video emerged showing the execution of an unarmed Ukrainian POW who is murdered after he says "Glory to Ukraine", while smoking a cigarette.<ref name="yahoomarch">{{Cite web |last=Mazurenko |first=Alona |date=6 March 2023 |title=Russian soldiers execute Ukrainian PoW after he says "Glory to Ukraine" |url=https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/03/6/7392206/ |access-date=27 December 2023 |website=[[Ukrainska Pravda]] |language=en-US}}</ref> The Russian officer in charge of the prisoner (off camera) shouts "Die Bitch!" and fires multiple rounds from a machine gun into him. The President of Ukraine's office called the execution a "brutal murder".<ref name=yahoomarch/> |
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* [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War]] |
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* [[Russian war crimes]] |
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* [[War crimes in Donbas]] |
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==== Torture of captured Ukrainian soldiers ==== |
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==References== |
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On 22 July 2022, [[Human Rights Watch]] documented the torture of three Ukrainian prisoners of war, members of the [[Territorial Defense Forces (Ukraine)|Territorial Defense Forces]], and the death of two of them in the occupied areas of [[Kherson Oblast|Kherson]] and [[Zaporizhzhia Oblast]]s.<ref name="HRW_South" /> |
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{{reflist|4|refs= |
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===== Castration and murder of a Ukrainian POW in Pryvillia ===== |
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<ref name="HRW_RU_UA_international_law">{{cite web |title=Russia, Ukraine & International Law: On Occupation, Armed Conflict and Human Rights |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=23 February 2022 |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/23/russia-ukraine-international-law-occupation-armed-conflict-and-human-rights |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224100221/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/23/russia-ukraine-international-law-occupation-armed-conflict-and-human-rights |archive-date=24 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Main|Torture and castration of a Ukrainian POW in Pryvillia}} |
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On 28 July 2022, a video was posted on Russian social media which shows a Russian soldier castrating a Ukrainian prisoner of war, who is tied up and gagged, with a box cutter.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.yahoo.com/horrifying-footage-appears-to-show-russian-captors-castrating-a-ukrainian-prisoner-of-war-221414554.html |title=Horrifying footage appears to show Russian captors castrating a Ukrainian prisoner of war |first1=Michael |last1=Weiss |first2=Niamh |last2=Cavanagh |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |date=28 July 2022 |access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> On the next day, a continuation video was posted with possibly the same soldiers where they taped the POW's mouth with black tape, placed his head in front of his cut genitals, and shot him in the head. After that, the Russian soldiers started grabbing the POW's corpse with ropes connected to his legs.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://hromadske.ua/posts/rosiyani-poshirili-video-katuvannya-vijskovogo-v-ukrayinskij-formi-prokuratura-rozpochala-provadzhennya |title=The Russians shared a video of the torture of a military man in Ukrainian uniform. The prosecutor's office started proceedings |first1=Denis |last1=Bulavin |work=[[Hromadske]] |date=29 July 2022 |access-date=29 July 2022 |language=Ukrainian}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=29 July 2022 |title=Video with the torture of a Ukrainian prisoner of war – proceedings have been initiated |language=Ukrainian |work=[[Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine]] |url=https://www.gp.gov.ua/ua/posts/video-z-katuvannyam-ukrayinskogo-viiskovopolonenogo-rozpocato-provadzennya |access-date=29 July 2022}}</ref> |
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On 5 August, the [[Bellingcat]] group reported that the videos were geolocated to the Pryvillia Sanatorium, located in [[Pryvillia]], [[Luhansk Oblast]], and interviewed the apparent perpetrator by telephone.<ref name="Bell">{{cite news |title=Tracking the Faceless Killers who Mutilated and Executed a Ukrainian POW |url=https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/08/05/tracking-the-faceless-killers-who-mutilated-and-executed-a-ukrainian-pow |newspaper=[[Bellingcat]] |date=5 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805185800/https://www.bellingcat.com/news/2022/08/05/tracking-the-faceless-killers-who-mutilated-and-executed-a-ukrainian-pow|archive-date=5 August 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> A white car marked with a [[Z (military symbol)|''Z'']] – a designation marking Russian military vehicles and a militarist symbol used in Russian propaganda – can also be seen in the video; the same car can also be seen in earlier, official videos released by Russian channels, of the ''Akhmat'' fighters at the Azot plant during the Russian capture of [[Sievierodonetsk|Sieverodonetsk]].<ref name="Bell"/> Pryvillia had been captured and occupied by Russians since early July.<ref>{{cite news |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/06/footage-appears-show-head-ukrainian-pow-stuck-pole |last=Harding |first=Luke |author-link=Luke Harding |title=Footage appears to show fresh atrocity against Ukrainian PoW |department=Ukraine |date=6 August 2022 |access-date=17 August 2022 |archive-date=18 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818071505/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/06/footage-appears-show-head-ukrainian-pow-stuck-pole |url-status=live }}</ref> Bellingcat identified the soldiers involved, including the main perpetrator (an inhabitant of [[Tuva]]), who wore a distinctive wide brimmed black hat, as members of the ''Akhmat'' unit, a Chechen Kadyrovite paramilitary formation fighting for the Russians in the war in Ukraine. The investigation also indicated that the video contained no evidence of tampering or editing.<ref name="Bell"/><ref>{{cite web |date=5 August 2022 |title=Дело в шляпе. Cадистом, истязавшим украинского военнопленного, оказался наемник из батальона 'Ахмат' Очур-Суге Монгуш |url=https://theins.ru/politika/253767 |access-date=13 August 2022 |website=[[The Insider (website)|The Insider]] |language=ru |archive-date=12 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220812175101/https://theins.ru/politika/253767 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="ICC_preliminary_examination_UA">{{cite web |title=Preliminary examination – Ukraine |website=[[International Criminal Court]] |year=2020 |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/ukraine |access-date=24 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220224100315/https://www.icc-cpi.int/ukraine |archive-date=24 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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==== Beheading and mutilations ==== |
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<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks">{{cite web |title=Russian military commits indiscriminate attacks during the invasion of Ukraine |website=[[Amnesty International]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225151333/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In April 2023, two videos surfaced which appeared to show beheaded and mutilated Ukrainian soldiers.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/apr/12/ukraine-zelenskiy-urges-world-leaders-act-over-russia-pow-beheading-video |title=Zelenskiy urges world leaders to act over PoW beheading video |last=Harding |first=Luke |newspaper=The Guardian |date=12 April 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> One video purportedly filmed by [[Wagner Group]] mercenaries showed the bodies of two Ukrainian soldiers next to a destroyed military vehicle, their heads and hands missing, with a voice commenting in Russian in the background.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/04/11/europe/beheading-videos-ukraine-intl-hnk-ml/index.html |title=Zelensky slams 'beasts' who purportedly beheaded Ukrainian soldiers after video emerges |last1=Cotovio |first1=Vasco |last2=Carey |first2=Andrew |last3=Pennington |first3=Josh |last4=Kesaieva |first4=Yulia |website=CNN |date=12 April 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> The second video appeared to show Russian soldiers decapitating a Ukrainian prisoner of war using a knife. The U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said that “Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident.”<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kyiv-compares-russia-islamic-state-after-beheading-video-2023-04-12/ |title=Kyiv compares Russia to Islamic State after beheading video |website=Reuters |date=12 April 2022 |access-date=12 April 2022}}</ref> |
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== Genocide == |
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<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_may_investigate">{{cite news |title=ICC says may investigate possible war crimes after Russian invasion of Ukraine |date=25 February 2022 |newspaper=[[Thomson Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-says-may-investigate-possible-war-crimes-after-russian-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-25 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220225082825/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-says-may-investigate-possible-war-crimes-after-russian-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-25 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Main|Allegations of genocide of Ukrainians in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|Accusations of genocide in Donbas}} |
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Several national parliaments, including those of Ukraine,<ref name="Interfax_UA_parliament_genocide" /> Canada, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Ireland<ref name="IR_parliament_genocide">{{cite web|title=Irish Parliament recognizes the acts carried out by the Russian military in Ukraine meet the criteria for genocide |url=https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/parliamentaryBusiness/orderPaper/seanad/2022/2022-06-01_seanad-order-paper-wed_en.pdf |
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<ref name="Newsweek_ExUA_prosecutor_stockpiling_evidence">{{cite news |last=Khaled |first=Fatma |title=Ex-Ukrainian Prosecutor Says He's Stockpiling Evidence of Russian War Crimes |date=25 February 2022 |newspaper=[[Newsweek]] |url=https://www.newsweek.com/ex-ukrainian-prosecutor-says-hes-stockpiling-evidence-russian-war-crimes-1682775 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225192422/https://www.newsweek.com/ex-ukrainian-prosecutor-says-hes-stockpiling-evidence-russian-war-crimes-1682775 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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|date=1 June 2022 |access-date=24 September 2022 |website=Houses of the Oireachtas}} |
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*{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/28/1095272683/canada-russia-genocide-ukraine |
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|title=Canada's House backs a motion recognizing Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide |first=Rachel |last=Treisman |
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|date=28 April 2022 |work=[[NPR]] |
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}} |
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*{{Cite news|author=ERR |
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|date=21 April 2022 |title=Latvian Saeima: Russia committing genocide in Ukraine |url=https://news.err.ee/1608571486/latvian-saeima-russia-committing-genocide-in-ukraine |access-date=21 April 2022 |work=[[Eesti Rahvusringhääling|ERR]] |language=en}} |
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*{{Cite news |
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|author=ERR |
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|date=21 April 2022 |title=Latvian Saeima: Russia committing genocide in Ukraine |url=https://news.err.ee/1608571486/latvian-saeima-russia-committing-genocide-in-ukraine |
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|access-date=21 April 2022 |work=[[Eesti Rahvusringhääling|ERR]] |language=en}} |
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*{{cite news|title=Lithuanian lawmakers brand Russian actions in Ukraine as 'genocide', 'terrorism' |
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|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/lithuanian-lawmakers-brand-russian-actions-ukraine-genocide-terrorism-2022-05-10/ |date=10 May 2022 |access-date=11 May 2022 |work=[[Reuters]]}} |
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*{{cite web|title=Czech Republic lawmakers brand Russian actions in Ukraine as genocide. |url=https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/rus/news/2022/05/11/7139239/ |date=11 May 2022 |access-date=11 May 2022 |website=Европейская Правда}}</ref> declared that the invasion was [[genocide]]. Genocide scholars like [[Evgeny Finkel|Eugene Finkel]],<ref name="Indep_killings_UA_genocide" /><ref name="WashPost_whats_happening_UA_genocide" /> [[Timothy D. Snyder]],<ref name="Snyder_Russias_genocide_handbook" /> [[Norman M. Naimark]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hoover.org/research/ukraine-and-cloud-genocide|title=Ukraine And The Cloud Of Genocide|website=Hoover Institution}}</ref> and [[Gregory Stanton]],<ref name="BBC_Stanton_RU_genocidal_intent" /> and legal experts {{Interlanguage link|Otto Luchterhandt|de}}<ref name="DW_Luchterhandt" /> and [[Zakhar Tropin]]<ref name="WSJ_RU_forces_kill_civilians" /> said that the definition required certain acts<ref name="OHCHR_genocide_convention_1948" /> and also [[genocidal intent]], to establish genocide. A report by 30 scholars concluded that Russia is guilty of inciting genocide in Ukraine by committing acts prohibited by the [[Genocide Convention]]. The report further stated that a serious risk of more genocide exists, triggering an obligation for foreign parties to take action.<ref>{{cite news |author=Julian Borger |
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|date=27 May 2022 |title=Russia is guilty of inciting genocide in Ukraine, expert report concludes |work=The Guardian |
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|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/27/russia-guilty-inciting-genocide-ukraine-expert-report |
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|access-date=29 May 2022}} |
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*{{cite web |date=27 May 2022 |title=Independent Legal Analysis of the Russian Federation's Breaches of the Genocide Convention in Ukraine and the Duty to Prevent |url=https://newlinesinstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/English-Report.pdf |access-date=22 July 2022 |work=New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy; Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights}}</ref><ref name="Onet_Sejm_called_it_genocide"/> |
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== National legal proceedings == |
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<ref name="HRW_UA_RU_cluster_munition">{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Russian Cluster Munition Hits Hospital – 4 Civilians Killed, 10 Wounded |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-russian-cluster-munition-hits-hospital |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220226170208/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-russian-cluster-munition-hits-hospital |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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=== Ukraine === |
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<ref name="TheHill_UA_minister_decries">{{cite news |last=Folmar |first=Chloe |title=Ukraine minister decries Russian 'war crimes' on schools, orphanages |date=25 February 2022 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] | url= https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/595900-ukraine-minister-decries-russian-war-crimes-on-schools-orphanages |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220226113538/https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/595900-ukraine-minister-decries-russian-war-crimes-on-schools-orphanages |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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The [[Minister of Foreign Affairs (Ukraine)|Ukrainian foreign minister]] [[Dmytro Kuleba]] stated on 25 February that Russia was committing war crimes, and that the ministry and the [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine]] were collecting evidence on events including attacks on kindergartens and orphanages, which would be "immediately transfer[red]" to the ICC.<ref name="TheHill_UA_minister_decries" /> On 30 March, Ukraine's chief prosecutor announced that she was building 2,500 war crimes cases against the Russian invasion.<ref name="Telegraph_2500_warcrimes_cases">{{cite news |last1=Farmer |first1=Ben |last2=Kozyreva |first2=Tanya |last3=Townsley |first3=Simon |title=I'm building 2,500 war crimes cases against Vladimir Putin's invasion, says Ukraine's chief prosecutor |date=30 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-21st-century-war-criminal-ukraines-chief-prosecutor-investigate |access-date=2 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331190405/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/global-health/terror-and-security/putin-21st-century-war-criminal-ukraines-chief-prosecutor-investigate |archive-date=31 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> On 13 May the first war crimes trial began in Kyiv, of a Russian soldier who was ordered to shoot an unarmed civilian.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61441907 |title=Ukraine begins first war crimes trial of Russian soldier |work=[[BBC]] |date=13 May 2022 |access-date=13 May 2022}}</ref> The soldier, [[Trial of Vadim Shishimarin|Vadim Shishimarin]], soon pleaded guilty to this crime.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 May 2022 |title=Russian soldier pleads guilty in first Ukraine war crimes trial since invasion |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/18/russian-soldier-pleads-guilty-first-ukraine-war-crimes-trial-since-invasion |access-date=19 May 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=18 May 2022 |title=Russian soldier pleads guilty in first war crimes trial of Ukraine conflict |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61496428 |access-date=19 May 2022}}</ref> Shortly after Shishimarin pleaded guilty, two other low-ranked Russian soldiers, [[trial of Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov|Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov, were tried]] on war crimes charges for firing missiles at a residential tower block in Kharkiv.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://graty.me/news/ponimanie-prihodit-posle-dvuh-rossijskih-voennyh-sudyat-za-pervyj-artillerijskij-obstrel-harkovskoj-oblasti/ |script-title=ru:"Понимание приходит после". Двух российских военных судят за первый артиллерийский обстрел Харьковской области |title="Ponimaniye prikhodit posle". Dvukh rossiyskikh voyennykh sudyat za pervyy artilleriyskiy obstrel Khar'kovskoy oblasti |trans-title="Understanding comes after." Two Russian soldiers are on trial for the first shelling of the Kharkiv region |language=ru |website=Graty |last=Sokolova |first=Ganna |date=19 May 2022}}</ref> They also pleaded guilty.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/world/more-russian-soldiers-plead-guilty-to-war-crimes-in-ukraine/ar-AAXwLrX?ocid=uxbndlbing |title=More Russian soldiers plead guilty to war crimes in Ukraine |website=Microsoft News |last=Binns |first=Daniel |date=20 May 2022}}</ref> |
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Several international legal teams were formed to support the Ukrainian prosecutors.<ref name="EC_statement_vdLeyen" /><ref name="DoughtySt_gov_UA_announces" /><ref name="USStateDept_ACA" /> |
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<ref name="Amnesty_UA_cluster_munitions_kill_child">{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Cluster munitions kill child and two other civilians taking shelter at a preschool |website=[[Amnesty International]] |date=27 February 2022 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/ukraine-cluster-munitions-kill-child-and-two-other-civilians-taking-shelter-at-a-preschool |access-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227214717/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/ukraine-cluster-munitions-kill-child-and-two-other-civilians-taking-shelter-at-a-preschool |archive-date=27 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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; EU Joint Investigation Team |
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<ref name="Guardian_ICC_to_investigate">{{cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |title=ICC prosecutor to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine |date=28 February 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/ukraine-russia-belarus-war-crimes-investigation-the-hague |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228223054/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/ukraine-russia-belarus-war-crimes-investigation-the-hague |archive-date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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In the aftermath of the [[Bucha massacre]], the EU established a [[Joint investigation team|Joint Investigation Team]] (JIT) with Ukraine to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity. Within the framework of the Joint Investigation Team, a pool of investigators and legal experts by [[Eurojust]] and [[Europol]] is made available for providing assistance to Ukrainian prosecutors.<ref name="EC_statement_vdLeyen">{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Statement from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen following her phone call with President Zelenskyy on the Commission's reactions to the atrocities in Bucha |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/home/en |access-date=5 April 2022 |website=[[European Commission]]}}</ref> On 6 April 2022, [[United States]] [[United States Attorney General|Attorney General]] [[Merrick Garland]] announced that the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] was assisting Eurojust and Europol prosecutors with their investigation, and that the Justice and [[United States Department of State|State Departments]] were also making efforts to support the Ukrainian prosecutor.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Forgey |first=Quint |date=6 April 2022 |title=Garland: DOJ assisting international war crimes investigations in Ukraine |work=[[Politico]] |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/06/doj-war-crimes-investigations-ukraine-00023393}}</ref> |
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In April 2023, the Eurojust JIT agreed to add the crime of genocide to their war crimes investigation in Ukraine.<ref name=":22">{{Cite web |last=Heinemann |first=Patrick |date=11 August 2023 |title=Report: Russia commits genocide in Ukraine |url=https://www.lto.de/recht/hintergruende/h/report-raoul-wallenberg-centre-for-human-rights-russia-genocide-in-ukraine/ |access-date=13 August 2023 |website=Legal Tribune Online |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=14 April 2023 |title=The joint investigation team garners further support for the ICPA and agrees to investigate genocide crimes in Ukraine |url=https://www.eurojust.europa.eu/news/joint-investigation-team-garners-further-support-icpa-and-agrees-investigate-genocide-crimes |access-date=13 August 2023 |website=Eurojust {{!}} European Union Agency for Criminal Justice Cooperation |language=en}}</ref> |
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<ref name="ICJ_UAvsRU_request_provisional_measures">{{cite web |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) – Request for the indication of provisional measures |website=[[International Court of Justice]] |date=1 March 2022 |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301233442/https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220301-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |access-date=2 March 2022 |archive-url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220301-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |archive-date=1 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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;Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine |
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<ref name="CILRAP_int_crim_law_command_responsibility">{{cite web | title= International Criminal Law Guidelines: Command Responsibility | website= Case Matrix Network, Centre for International Law Research and Policy |year = 2016 | url = https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/7441a2/pdf | access-date = 20 March 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151644/https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/7441a2/pdf |archive-date= 8 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Main|Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine}} |
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In late March 2022, the [[Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine]], a ''[[pro bono]]'' international group of lawyers, was created to help [[Prosecutor General of Ukraine|Ukrainian prosecutors]] coordinate legal cases for war crimes and other crimes related to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="DoughtySt_gov_UA_announces" /><ref name="Telegraph_2500_warcrimes_cases" /><ref name="USStateDept_ACA" /> |
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;Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group |
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<ref name="Jurist_UNHRC_establishes">{{cite news | last= Johnson | first= Heidi | title= UN Human Rights Council establishes commission to investigate Russian human rights violations against Ukraine | date= 4 March 2022 |newspaper= [[JURIST]] | url= https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/03/un-human-rights-council-establishes-commission-to-investigate-russian-human-rights-violations-against-ukraine |access-date= 25 March 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220307192848/https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/03/un-human-rights-council-establishes-commission-to-investigate-russian-human-rights-violations-against-ukraine |archive-date= 7 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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On 25 May 2022, the EU, US, and the UK announced the creation of the [[Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group]] (ACA) to help coordinate their investigations and to support the War Crimes Units of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine (OPG).<ref name="USStateDept_ACA">{{cite news|title=The European Union, the United States, and the United Kingdom establish the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) for Ukraine |work=US State Department |date=25 May 2022 |access-date=25 May 2022 |url=https://www.state.gov/creation-of-atrocity-crimes-advisory-group-for-ukraine/}}</ref> |
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=== Russia === |
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<ref name="UNHRC_establishes_commission_RU_aggression">{{cite web | title= Human Rights Council establishes an Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged violations of human rights in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine | website= [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] |date = 4 March 2022 | url = https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/human-rights-council-establishes-independent-international-commission | access-date = 25 March 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220319184122/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/human-rights-council-establishes-independent-international-commission |archive-date= 19 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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As of February 2023, Russia claimed to have charged 680 Ukrainians with war crimes, including 118 soldiers and Defence Ministry officials.<ref name ="Russia's first">{{cite web|url=https://theprint.in/world/charges-for-cruel-treatment-russias-first-criminal-case-against-ukraines-forces-go-to-court/1389805/|title=Charges for ‘cruel treatment’ –– Russia’s first criminal case against Ukraine’s forces go to court|website=The Print|date=22 February 2023|first=Lidia|last=Kelly}}</ref> The [[Investigative Committee of Russia]] told [[TASS]] that it had opened over two thousand criminal cases since the start of the [[Russo–Ukrainian War]] in 2014, including for crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://easternherald.com/2023/02/22/russian-court-to-hear-for-first-time-case-against-ukrainian-armed-forces-over-mistreatment-of-civilians/|title=Russian court to hear for first time case against Ukrainian Armed Forces over mistreatment of civilian|newspaper=The Eastern Herald|date=22 February 2023}}</ref> The first criminal case against a Ukrainian serviceman was that of [[Anton Cherednik]], a Marine accused of murder, terrorism and cruel treatment of civilians.<ref name ="Russia's first"/> Cherednik was sentenced to nineteen years' imprisonment in November 2023; at the time of his sentencing, cases were reportedly pending against 42 other Ukrainian prisoners.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://kyivindependent.com/russia-sentences-ukrainian-soldier-to-19-years/|title=Russia sentences Ukrainian soldier to 19 years in prison|newspaper=The Kyiv Independent|date=9 November 2023|last=Fornusek|first=Martin}}</ref> |
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;Occupied territories |
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<ref name="ICC_Khan_receipt_referral">{{cite web | last = Khan | first = Karim Ahmad |author-link=Karim Ahmad Khan | title= Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: Receipt of Referrals from 39 States Parties and the Opening of an Investigation | website= [[International Criminal Court|ICC]] |date = 2 March 2022 | url = https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=2022-prosecutor-statement-referrals-ukraine | access-date = 4 March 2022 |archive-url= https://archive.today/QkVev |archive-date= 4 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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The ''[[Kyiv Post]]'' reported in November 2023 that Russian-controlled courts in occupied areas of Ukraine had convicted multiple Ukrainian soldiers of war crimes.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kyivpost.com/post/23841|title=Russia Hands Captive Ukrainian Soldiers Heavy Sentences|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=8 November 2023|quote=On Tuesday, Russian-installed authorities in eastern Ukraine sentenced four other captive Ukrainian soldiers to long sentences for alleged violence against civilians during last year's battle for Mariupol.}}</ref> |
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=== Other countries === |
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<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes">{{cite news | title= Russia may be committing war crimes in Ukraine, UN human rights chief says | date=30 March 2022 |newspaper= [[The Guardian]] | url= https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/30/un-human-rights-council-has-strong-indication-russia-committing-war-crimes-in-ukraine-says-top-official-michelle-bachelet |access-date= 30 March 2022 |archive-url= https://archive.today/r8Yiw |archive-date= 30 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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{{Main|Universal jurisdiction investigations of war crimes in Ukraine}} |
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Several states, including Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden, announced in March and April 2022 that they would conduct investigations of war crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine under the [[universal jurisdiction]] principle of international humanitarian law.<ref name="FletcherSchool_war_crimes_Putin" /> |
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On 5 December 2023, US Attorney-General [[Merrick Garland|Merrick B. Garland]] announced war crime charges against four Russian-affiliated military personnel accused of the abduction and torture of an American citizen in Ukraine: Russian military commanders Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan and Dmitry Budnik and two lower-ranking officers identified as Valeri and Nazar (both last names unknown).<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 December 2023 |title=US files war crime charges against Russians accused of torturing an American in the Ukraine invasion |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-justice-department-7f3121ee3beb54bbe5084553a4fd7ca8 |access-date=8 December 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}} |
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<ref name="Hromadske_UNHRMMU">{{cite news | title= The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission In Ukraine, Explained | date= 22 December 2016 |newspaper= [[Hromadske]] | url= https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/un_human_rights_in_ukraine |access-date= 31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/a0t9J |archive-date= 30 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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*{{Cite web |date=6 December 2023 |title=Office of Public Affairs {{!}} Attorney General Merrick B. Garland Delivers Remarks Announcing Four Russia-Affiliated Military Personnel Charged with War Crimes in Connection with Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine {{!}} United States Department of Justice |url=https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-delivers-remarks-announcing-four-russia-affiliated |access-date=8 December 2023 |website=www.justice.gov |language=en}}</ref> |
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== International legal proceedings == |
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International courts that have jurisdiction over cases originating from the Russian invasion of Ukraine include the [[International Criminal Court]], the [[International Court of Justice]] and the [[European Court of Human Rights]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Quell |first=Molly |date=24 February 2022 |title=Ukraine has few legal options to hold Russia accountable for invasion |work=[[Courthouse News Service]] |url=https://www.courthousenews.com/ukraine-has-few-legal-options-to-hold-russia-accountable-for-invasion |url-status=live |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220226121559/https://www.courthousenews.com/ukraine-has-few-legal-options-to-hold-russia-accountable-for-invasion/ |archive-date=26 February 2022}}</ref> |
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Because of the backload of cases in Ukrainian courts, which as of June 2022 have more than 15,000 pending cases, and the number of international bodies and foreign countries cooperating in the investigations of war crimes in Ukraine, there were calls to create a special hybrid court to centralize domestic and international efforts.<ref name="fpjune" /> In May, the idea of establishing a [[Ad hoc international criminal tribunals|special international tribunal]] was formally endorsed by a group of members of the [[European Parliament]].<ref name="fpjune" /> The establishment of a special tribunal within the framework of the [[United Nations]] could be hampered by Russia's position as a [[Permanent members of the United Nations Security Council|permanent member of the Security Council]] and by the difficulty of gathering the necessary two-thirds majority in the [[United Nations General Assembly|General Assembly]].<ref name="fpjune" /> |
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=== International Criminal Court === |
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{{Main|International Criminal Court investigation in Ukraine}} |
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[[File:Vladimir Putin in Patriot Park (2018-09-19) 02.jpg|thumb|Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine war: Putin should face trial this year, says top lawyer |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64138851 |work=BBC News |date=1 January 2023}}</ref> and Russian Defense Minister [[Sergei Shoigu]] were both labeled as war criminals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Evidence of Russian crimes mounts as war in Ukraine drags on |url=https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-crimes-government-international-criminal-court-a6edd7e6ed0de527b42a1790dccc33ea |work=Associated Press |date=30 December 2022}}</ref>]] |
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On 25 February 2022, ICC Prosecutor [[Karim Ahmad Khan]] stated that the ICC could "exercise its jurisdiction and investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within Ukraine."<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_may_investigate" /> Khan stated on 28 February that he would launch [[International Criminal Court investigations|a full ICC investigation]] and that he had requested his team to "explore all evidence preservation opportunities". He stated that it would be faster to officially open the investigation if an ICC member state referred the case for investigation. Lithuanian prime minister [[Ingrida Simonyte]] stated on the same day that Lithuania had requested that the ICC investigation be opened.<ref name="Guardian_ICC_to_investigate" /> |
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On 2 March 2022, 39 states had already referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC Prosecutor, who could then open an investigation into past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards.<ref name="ICC_Khan_receipt_referral" /><ref>{{cite news |date=3 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Russia faces war crimes investigation |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60597751 |url-status=live |access-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303151338/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-60597751 |archive-date=3 March 2022}}</ref> On 11 March two additional referrals were submitted to the ICC Prosecutor, and the Prosecutor declared that investigations would begin.<ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2">{{Cite web |date=11 March 2022 |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: Additional Referrals from Japan and North Macedonia; Contact portal launched for provision of information |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220311-prosecutor-statement-ukraine |access-date=23 March 2022 |website=[[International Criminal Court]]}}</ref> The Prosecutor's office set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators,<ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2" /> and a team of investigators, lawyers and other professionals was sent to Ukraine to begin collecting evidence.<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_team_leaves_to_Ukraine2" /><ref name="ICC_additional_referrals2" /> |
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Neither Ukraine nor Russia is parties to the [[Rome Statute]], the legal basis of the ICC. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate because Ukraine signed two declarations consenting to ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed in Ukraine from 21 November 2013 onwards.<ref name="icc-cpi.int" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Sullivan |first=Becky |date=28 February 2022 |title=The ICC says it will open an investigation into alleged war crimes in Ukraine |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/02/28/1083598057/icc-ukraine-investigation |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=4 March 2022 |title=ICC prosecutor: Team leaves to investigate war crimes in Ukraine |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-prosecutor-advance-team-has-left-begin-work-ukraine-investigation-2022-03-03/ |access-date=23 March 2022}}</ref> Articles 28(a) and 28(b) of the [[:wikisource:Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court|Rome Statute]] define the relation between command responsibility and superior responsibility of the [[Order of battle for the Russian invasion of Ukraine|chain of command structures of the armed forces]] involved.<ref name="CILRAP_int_crim_law_command_responsibility" /> |
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As of 10 June, the ICC investigation had dispatched more than 40 investigators, the largest effort ever in ICC history, and there are calls to create a special court or international tribunal to handle the casework.<ref name="fpjune">{{Cite web |last1=Gramer |first1=Robbie |last2=Mackinnon |first2=Amy |title=Ukraine's 'Nuremberg Moment' Amid Flood of Alleged Russian War Crimes |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/10/ukraines-nuremberg-moment-amid-flood-of-alleged-russian-war-crimes/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220611170602/https://foreignpolicy.com/2022/06/10/ukraines-nuremberg-moment-amid-flood-of-alleged-russian-war-crimes/ |archive-date=11 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |website=[[Foreign Policy]] |date=10 June 2022 |language=en-US |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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In mid-June, according to the Dutch [[General Intelligence and Security Service]], an alleged [[GRU (Russian Federation)|GRU]] officer, who was a student of prominent genocide professor [[Evgeny Finkel|Eugene Finkel]], attempted to gain entry into the Netherlands under an assumed identity. The purpose was to infiltrate the ICC via an internship, which would have given him to access and potentially influence the pending criminal war crimes case.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Alleged Russian spy studied at Johns Hopkins, won ICC internship |language=en-US |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/16/russian-spy-infiltrate-icc-netherlands/ |access-date=17 June 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220616221911/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/06/16/russian-spy-infiltrate-icc-netherlands/ |archive-date=16 June 2022 |issn=0190-8286 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 June 2022 |title=Russian spy caught trying to infiltrate war crimes court, says Netherlands |url=https://www.theguardian.com/law/2022/jun/16/russian-spy-caught-trying-to-infiltrate-war-crimes-court-says-netherlands |access-date=17 June 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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As of April 2024, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for four Russian suspects. President Putin and [[Maria Lvova-Belova]] were indicted in March 2023 for their involvement in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children,<ref name="International Criminal Court 2023"/> and Russian military officials [[Viktor Sokolov (naval officer)|Viktor Sokolov]] and [[Sergey Kobylash]] were indicted in 2024 for ordering missile strikes against civilian infrastructure.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/05/world/europe/international-court-russia-ukraine.html|title=International Court Accuses 2 Russian Officers of War Crimes in Ukraine|newspaper=The New York Times|date=5 March 2024|first=Marlise|last=Simons}}</ref> |
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=== International Court of Justice === |
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{{Main|Ukraine v. Russian Federation (2022)}} |
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On 27 February, Ukraine filed a petition with the [[International Court of Justice]] arguing that Russia violated the [[Genocide Convention]] using an unsubstantiated accusation of genocide in order to justify its aggression against Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Deutsch |first1=Anthony |last2=Sterling |first2=Toby |title=Ukraine rejects Russia's genocide claim, asks U.N. court to halt invasion |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lodges-case-against-russia-world-court-zelensky-2022-02-27/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=[[Reuters]] |date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227134729/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-lodges-case-against-russia-world-court-zelensky-2022-02-27/ |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Milanovic |first=Marko |title=Ukraine Files ICJ Claim against Russia |url=https://www.ejiltalk.org/ukraine-files-icj-claim-against-russia/ |access-date=27 February 2022 |work=[[EJIL: Talk!]] |date=27 February 2022 |archive-date=3 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220303230727/https://www.ejiltalk.org/ukraine-files-icj-claim-against-russia/ |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On 1 March, the ICJ officially called on Russia to "act in such a way" that would make it possible for a decision on ''provisional measures'' to become effective.<ref name="ICJ_UAvsRU_request_provisional_measures" /> Initial hearings in the case took place on 7 March 2022 at [[Peace Palace]] in [[The Hague]], [[Netherlands]]—the seat of the court—to determine Ukraine's entitlement to provisional relief.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/international-court-of-justice-to-fast-track-ruling-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraines |title=International court of justice to fast-track ruling on Russian invasion |date=7 March 2022 |first=Patrick |last=Wintour |author-link=Patrick Wintour |access-date=7 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307181739/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/07/international-court-of-justice-to-fast-track-ruling-on-russian-invasion-of-ukraine |url-status=live}}</ref> The Russian delegation did not appear for these proceedings,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schnell |first=Mychael |date=7 March 2022 |title=Russian representatives skip UN court hearing on Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/597124-russian-representatives-skip-un-court-hearing-on-ukraine |access-date=7 March 2022 |website=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |archive-date=7 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307200551/https://thehill.com/policy/international/597124-russian-representatives-skip-un-court-hearing-on-ukraine |url-status=live}}</ref> but submitted a written statement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/182 |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) |website=[[International Court of Justice]] |access-date=14 March 2022 |archive-date=13 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220313101013/https://www.icj-cij.org/en/case/182 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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On 16 March 2022, the court ruled 13–2 that Russia must "immediately suspend the military operations" it commenced on 24 February 2022 in Ukraine,<ref name="ICJ-2022.3.16">{{Cite press release |date=16 March 2022 |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation): The Court indicates provisional measures |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220316-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |publisher=[[International Court of Justice]] |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> with Vice-president [[Kirill Gevorgian]] of Russia and Judge [[Xue Hanqin]] of China dissenting.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quell |first=Molly |title=International Court of Justice orders Russia to cease hostilities in Ukraine |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/world/article-world-court-to-rule-on-emergency-measures-sought-by-ukraine-in-case/ |date=16 March 2022 |work=[[The Globe and Mail]] |access-date=16 March 2022}}</ref> The court also unanimously called for "[b]oth Parties [to] refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.<ref name="ICJ-2022.3.16" /> |
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===Proposed specialised court for the crime of aggression=== |
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{{main|Special international tribunal for the crime of aggression (Russian invasion of Ukraine)}} |
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The [[Council of Europe]] called for the establishment of an [[international criminal tribunal]] to "investigate and prosecute the [[crime of aggression]]" committed by "the political and military leadership of the [[Russian Federation]]."<ref name=coe>{{cite web |title=PACE calls for an ad hoc international criminal tribunal to hold to account perpetrators of the crime of aggression against Ukraine |url=https://www.coe.int/en/web/portal/-/pace-calls-for-an-ad-hoc-international-criminal-tribunal-to-investigate-war-crimes-in-ukraine |publisher=[[Council of Europe]]|access-date=17 September 2022}}</ref> Under the Council of Europe's proposal, the tribunal should be located in [[Strasbourg]], "apply the definition of the crime of aggression" established in customary international law and "have the power to issue international arrest warrants and not be limited by State immunity or the immunity of heads of State and government and other State officials."<ref name=coe /> Similarly, other international bodies such as the [[European Commission]] and the [[NATO Parliamentary Assembly]], and several governments, including the [[Government of Ukraine]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine calls for international tribunal to bring Putin to justice more quickly |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/21/ukraine-calls-for-international-tribunal-to-bring-putin-to-justice-more-quickly |access-date=17 September 2022 |work=The Guardian}} |
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*{{Cite web|url=https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ato/3624632-president-zelensky-we-are-doing-everything-to-create-special-tribunal-for-russian-crimes.html|title=President Zelensky: We are doing everything to create Special Tribunal for Russian crimes|website=www.ukrinform.net|date=30 November 2022 }}</ref> supported the establishment of a specialised court to try the crime of aggression. |
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In November 2022 the [[NATO Parliamentary Assembly]] designated the Russian Federation as a [[terrorist organization]] and called upon the international community to "take collective action towards the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression committed by Russia with its war against Ukraine."<ref>{{cite web |title=Resolution 479 |url=https://www.nato-pa.int/download-file?filename=/sites/default/files/2022-11/RESOLUTION%20479%20-%20%20NATO%20POST%20MADRID%20.pdf |publisher=NATO}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://euromaidanpress.com/2022/11/21/nato-parliamentary-assembly-recognizes-russia-as-terrorist-state-calls-for-tribunal/ | title=NATO Parliamentary Assembly designates Russia as a terrorist state, calls for Tribunal | date=21 November 2022 }}</ref> In November 2022 the [[European Commission]] said that the European Union would work to establish a specialised court to investigate and prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression.<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement by President von der Leyen on Russian accountability and the use of Russian frozen assets |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/statement_22_7307 |publisher=[[European Commission]] |access-date=1 December 2022}} |
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*{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Commission presents options to make sure that Russia pays for its crimes |url=https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_22_7311 |publisher=[[European Commission]] |access-date=1 December 2022}} |
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*{{cite news |title=EU Explores New Steps to Probe Russian Crimes, Use Frozen Assets |newspaper=Bloomberg.com |date=30 November 2022 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-11-30/eu-proposes-special-court-to-probe-russian-actions-in-ukraine |publisher=Bloomberg |access-date=1 December 2022}} |
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*{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/11/30/world/russia-ukraine-war-news|title=Russia-Ukraine War: Top E.U. Official Calls for Tribunal for War Crimes in Ukraine|first1=Carly|last1=Olson|first2=Matt|last2=Surman|work=The New York Times |date=30 November 2022|via=NYTimes.com}} |
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*{{cite news |title=E.U. proposes special tribunal to investigate Russian crimes in Ukraine |date=30 November 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206172336/https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/30/eu-russia-ukraine-tribunal-war-crimes/ |archive-date=6 February 2023 |url-status=live |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/11/30/eu-russia-ukraine-tribunal-war-crimes}} |
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</ref> |
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== Other international organisations == |
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=== International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine === |
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{{Main|Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine}} |
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On 4 March 2022, the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] voted 32 to 3, with 13 abstentions to create the [[Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine]], an independent international committee of three [[human rights]] experts with a mandate to investigate violations of human rights and of [[international humanitarian law]] in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.<ref name="Jurist_UNHRC_establishes" /><ref name="UNHRC_establishes_commission_RU_aggression" /> On 23 September 2022, the Commission confirmed violations of human rights by Russian forces,<ref name="hr">{{Cite web |
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|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/09/1127691 |
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|title=War crimes have been committed in Ukraine conflict, top UN human rights inquiry reveals |
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|date=23 September 2022 |access-date=25 September 2022 |language=en |
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|publisher=[[United Nations]] |
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}}</ref> with instances of indiscriminate killing, sexual violence against children, and torture in dozens of locations in Ukraine. They said that explosive weapons with wide-area effects had caused immense harm and suffering to civilians in populated areas, and confirmed victims had been found with visible signs of execution. They documented cases of children raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined. Children were also killed and injured in indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons<ref name="iciuupdate">{{Cite web |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/09/update-chair-independent-international-commission-inquiry-ukraine-51st-session |date=23 September 2022 |language=en |access-date=25 September 2022 |title=Update by the Chair of the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, at the 51st session of the Human Rights Council |last=Møse |first=Erik |publisher=[[International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine]] |
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}}</ref> |
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=== UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine === |
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{{Main|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine}} |
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The [[United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine|UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine]] (HRMMU), whose monitoring of human rights violations by all parties in Ukraine started in 2014,<ref name="Hromadske_UNHRMMU" /> continued its monitoring during the 2022 Russian invasion, retaining 60 monitors in Ukraine.<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes" /> On 30 March 2022, HRMMU had recorded 24 "credible allegations" of Russian use of [[cluster munition]]s and 77 incidents of damage to medical facilities during the invasion. [[Michelle Bachelet]] stated, "The massive destruction of civilian objects and the high number of civilian casualties strongly indicate that the fundamental principles of [[distinction (law)|distinction]], proportionality and precaution have not been sufficiently adhered to."<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes" /> |
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=== Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe === |
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A report released by the [[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe|OSCE]] [[Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights]] (ODIHR) on 12 April 2022 stated that while a detailed assessment of most allegations had not been possible, the mission had found clear patterns of war crimes by the Russian forces.<ref name="OSCE_13_April" /> According to the OSCE Report, had the Russian army refrained from [[Indiscriminate attack|indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks]], the number of civilians casualties would have remained much lower and fewer houses, hospitals, schools and cultural properties would have been damaged or destroyed.<ref name="OSCE_13_April" /> The Report denounced the violation of international humanitarian law on military occupation and the violation of international human rights law (right to life, prohibition of torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment) mostly in the areas under the direct or indirect control of Russia.<ref name="OSCE_13_April" /> |
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== International reactions == |
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{{Main|Government and intergovernmental reactions to the Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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[[File:Putin, the Hague is waiting for you banner (52625526430).jpg|thumb|Banner raised by the [[Vilnius]] City Municipality.]] |
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During [[House of Commons of the United Kingdom|House of Commons]] commentary in February 2022, British Prime Minister [[Boris Johnson]] stated that "anyone who sends a Russian into battle to kill innocent Ukrainians" could face charges. He remarked in addition, "Putin will stand condemned in the eyes of the world and of history."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/world-news/ukraine-boris-johnson-announces-sanctions-on-russia-and-suggests-vladimir-putin-could-face-war-crimes-charges-41380222.html |title=Ukraine: Boris Johnson announces sanctions on Russia and suggests Vladimir Putin could face war crimes charges |newspaper=[[Belfast Telegraph]] |date=24 February 2022 |first1=Christopher |last1=Leebody |first2=Niamh |last2=Campbell}}</ref> |
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On 16 March, [[President of the United States|U.S. President]] [[Joe Biden]] called Putin a war criminal. On 23 March, [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] [[Antony Blinken]] announced that "based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/03/23/politics/us-russia-war-crimes/index.html |title=US formally declares Russian military has committed war crimes in Ukraine |publisher=[[CNN]] |date=23 March 2022 |access-date=23 March 2022 |last=Hansler |first=Jennifer}}</ref> A week later the US State Department issued a formal assessment that Russia has committed war crimes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/599419-us-determines-russia-has-committed-war-crimes-in-ukraine/ |title=US determines Russia has committed war crimes in Ukraine |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=23 March 2022 |first1=Brett |last1=Samuels |first2=Laura |last2=Kelly}}</ref> On 12 April 2022, Biden described Russia's war crimes in Ukraine as constituting genocide.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biden says Putin committing "genocide half a world away" |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/biden-putin-actions-genocide/ |access-date=12 April 2022 |website=[[CBS News]]|date=12 April 2022 }}</ref> He added that Putin "is trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian".<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 April 2022 |title=Remarks by President Biden Before Air Force One Departure |url=https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2022/04/12/remarks-by-president-biden-before-air-force-one-departure-13/ |access-date=13 April 2022 |website=The White House}}</ref> |
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On 3 April 2022, French Foreign Minister [[Jean-Yves Le Drian]] described abuses by Russian forces in Ukrainian towns, particularly Bucha, as possible war crimes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Russia 'must answer for crimes' in Ukraine says French president |url=https://www.rfi.fr/en/international/20220403-russia-must-answer-for-crimes-in-ukraine-says-france-s-macron-eu-atrocities-bucha |access-date=7 April 2022 |publisher=[[Radio France Internationale]] |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> On 7 April, French President [[Emmanuel Macron]] said the killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were "very probably war crimes."<ref>{{cite news |title=French President Macron says killings in Bucha were 'very probably' war crimes |url=https://news.yahoo.com/french-president-macron-says-killings-183946778.html |work=[[Yahoo! News]] |agency=[[Reuters]] |date=7 April 2022 |access-date=30 August 2022}}</ref> |
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The United Nations General Assembly voted on 7 April 2022 to suspend Russia from the [[United Nations Human Rights Council]] over "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights".<ref name="Nichols-2022-04-07">{{Cite news |last=Nichols |first=Michelle |date=7 April 2022 |title=U.N. suspends Russia from human rights body, Moscow then quits |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/un-vote-suspending-russia-human-rights-council-over-ukraine-2022-04-07/ |access-date=7 April 2022}}</ref> |
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== See also == |
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{{Portal|Crime|Genocide|History|Russia|Ukraine}} |
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* [[Atrocity crimes during the Russo-Ukrainian War]] |
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* [[Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War]] |
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* [[Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Denial of Russian war crimes]] |
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* [[Use of incendiary weapons in the Russo-Ukrainian war]] |
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{{clear}} |
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== References == |
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{{reflist|refs= |
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<ref name="AI_RU_military_indiscriminate_attacks">{{cite web |title=Russian military commits indiscriminate attacks during the invasion of Ukraine |website=[[Amnesty International]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220225151333/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="ThomReut_ICC_may_investigate">{{cite news |title=ICC says may investigate possible war crimes after Russian invasion of Ukraine |date=25 February 2022 |newspaper=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-says-may-investigate-possible-war-crimes-after-russian-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-25 |access-date=25 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220225082825/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/icc-says-may-investigate-possible-war-crimes-after-russian-invasion-ukraine-2022-02-25 |archive-date=25 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<!-- <ref name="HRW_UA_RU_cluster_munition">{{cite web |title=Ukraine: Russian Cluster Munition Hits Hospital – 4 Civilians Killed, 10 Wounded |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |date=25 February 2022 |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-russian-cluster-munition-hits-hospital |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220226170208/https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/02/25/ukraine-russian-cluster-munition-hits-hospital |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> --> |
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<ref name="TheHill_UA_minister_decries">{{cite news |last=Folmar |first=Chloe |title=Ukraine minister decries Russian 'war crimes' on schools, orphanages |date=25 February 2022 |newspaper=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/595900-ukraine-minister-decries-russian-war-crimes-on-schools-orphanages |access-date=26 February 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220226113538/https://thehill.com/policy/international/russia/595900-ukraine-minister-decries-russian-war-crimes-on-schools-orphanages |archive-date=26 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Guardian_ICC_to_investigate">{{cite news |last=Borger |first=Julian |title=ICC prosecutor to investigate possible war crimes in Ukraine |date=28 February 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/ukraine-russia-belarus-war-crimes-investigation-the-hague |access-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220228223054/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/ukraine-russia-belarus-war-crimes-investigation-the-hague |archive-date=28 February 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="ICJ_UAvsRU_request_provisional_measures">{{cite web |title=Allegations of Genocide under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Ukraine v. Russian Federation) – Request for the indication of provisional measures |website=[[International Court of Justice]] |date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301233442/https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220301-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |access-date=2 March 2022 |url=https://www.icj-cij.org/public/files/case-related/182/182-20220301-PRE-01-00-EN.pdf |archive-date=1 March 2022 }}</ref> |
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<ref name="CILRAP_int_crim_law_command_responsibility">{{cite web |title=International Criminal Law Guidelines: Command Responsibility |website=Case Matrix Network, Centre for International Law Research and Policy |year=2016 |url=https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/7441a2/pdf |access-date=20 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308151644/https://www.legal-tools.org/doc/7441a2/pdf |archive-date=8 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Jurist_UNHRC_establishes">{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Heidi |title=UN Human Rights Council establishes commission to investigate Russian human rights violations against Ukraine |date=4 March 2022 |newspaper=[[JURIST]] |url=https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/03/un-human-rights-council-establishes-commission-to-investigate-russian-human-rights-violations-against-ukraine |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220307192848/https://www.jurist.org/news/2022/03/un-human-rights-council-establishes-commission-to-investigate-russian-human-rights-violations-against-ukraine |archive-date=7 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="UNHRC_establishes_commission_RU_aggression">{{cite web |title=Human Rights Council establishes an Independent International Commission of Inquiry to investigate all alleged violations of human rights in the context of the Russian Federation's aggression against Ukraine |website=[[United Nations Human Rights Council]] |date = 4 March 2022 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/human-rights-council-establishes-independent-international-commission |access-date=25 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319184122/https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2022/03/human-rights-council-establishes-independent-international-commission |archive-date=19 March 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="ICC_Khan_receipt_referral">{{cite web |last=Khan |first=Karim Ahmad |author-link=Karim Ahmad Khan |title=Statement of ICC Prosecutor, Karim A.A. Khan QC, on the Situation in Ukraine: Receipt of Referrals from 39 States Parties and the Opening of an Investigation |website=[[International Criminal Court|ICC]] |date=2 March 2022 |url=https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=2022-prosecutor-statement-referrals-ukraine |access-date=4 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220304183718/https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=2022-prosecutor-statement-referrals-ukraine |archive-date=4 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="Guardian_RU_maybe_war_crimes">{{cite news |title=Russia may be committing war crimes in Ukraine, UN human rights chief says |date=30 March 2022 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/30/un-human-rights-council-has-strong-indication-russia-committing-war-crimes-in-ukraine-says-top-official-michelle-bachelet |access-date=30 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220330215008/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/30/un-human-rights-council-has-strong-indication-russia-committing-war-crimes-in-ukraine-says-top-official-michelle-bachelet |archive-date=30 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="Hromadske_UNHRMMU">{{cite news |title=The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission In Ukraine, Explained |date=22 December 2016 |newspaper=[[Hromadske]] |url=https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/un_human_rights_in_ukraine |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220330225925/https://en.hromadske.ua/posts/un_human_rights_in_ukraine |archive-date=30 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March">{{Cite web |last=Bogner |first=Matilda |date=25 March 2022 |title=Situation in Ukraine. Statement delivered by the Head of Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine on the situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/situation-ukraine |publisher=[[Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref> |
<ref name="HRMMU_Statement_March">{{Cite web |last=Bogner |first=Matilda |date=25 March 2022 |title=Situation in Ukraine. Statement delivered by the Head of Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine on the situation in Ukraine |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/03/situation-ukraine |publisher=[[Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights]]}}</ref> |
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<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted">{{Cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=Ukraine War: Civilians abducted as Russia tries to assert control |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60858363 |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> |
<ref name="BBC_Civilians_abducted">{{Cite news |date=25 March 2022 |title=Ukraine War: Civilians abducted as Russia tries to assert control |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-60858363 |access-date=27 March 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name=" |
<!-- <ref name="HRW_RespectPOW">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Respect the Rights of Prisoners of War |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/16/ukraine-respect-rights-prisoners-war |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> --> |
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<ref name="HRW_RespectPOW">{{Cite web |date=16 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Respect the Rights of Prisoners of War |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/16/ukraine-respect-rights-prisoners-war |access-date=19 March 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> |
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<ref name="NYT_sexual_violence">{{Cite news |last=Engelbrecht |first=Cora |date=29 March 2022 |title=Reports of sexual violence involving Russian soldiers are multiplying, Ukrainian officials say. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url= |
<ref name="NYT_sexual_violence">{{Cite news |last=Engelbrecht |first=Cora |date=29 March 2022 |title=Reports of sexual violence involving Russian soldiers are multiplying, Ukrainian officials say. |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html |access-date=1 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329184716/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/29/world/europe/russian-soldiers-sexual-violence-ukraine.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur |archive-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="BBC_POW_shot">{{Cite news |date=30 March 2022 |title=Does video show Russian prisoners being shot? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/60907259 |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331103912/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/60907259 |archive-date=31 March 2022}}</ref> |
<ref name="BBC_POW_shot">{{Cite news |date=30 March 2022 |title=Does video show Russian prisoners being shot? |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/60907259 |access-date=31 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220331103912/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/60907259 |archive-date=31 March 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRW_PW_Abuse">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Apparent POW Abuse Would Be War Crime |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/ukraine-apparent-pow-abuse-would-be-war-crime |access-date=1 April 2022 |
<!-- <ref name="HRW_PW_Abuse">{{Cite web |date=31 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Apparent POW Abuse Would Be War Crime |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/31/ukraine-apparent-pow-abuse-would-be-war-crime |access-date=1 April 2022 |publisher=[[Human Rights Watch]]}}</ref> --> |
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<ref name="DoughtySt_gov_UA_announces">{{cite web |title=Government of Ukraine Announces the Creation of a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine |website=[[Doughty Street Chambers]] |date= |
<ref name="DoughtySt_gov_UA_announces">{{cite web |title=Government of Ukraine Announces the Creation of a Legal Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine |website=[[Doughty Street Chambers]] |date=29 March 2022 |url=https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/government-ukraine-announces-creation-legal-task-force-accountability-crimes-committed-ukraine |access-date=2 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329194901/https://www.doughtystreet.co.uk/news/government-ukraine-announces-creation-legal-task-force-accountability-crimes-committed-ukraine |archive-date=29 March 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="FletcherSchool_war_crimes_Putin">{{cite web |last1=Stephenson |first1=Heather |last2=Dannenbaum |first2=Tom |date=29 March 2022 |title=What are War Crimes—and Will Putin Be Tried for Them? |publisher=[[The Fletcher School at Tufts University]] |url=https://sites.tufts.edu/fletcherrussia/what-are-war-crimes-and-will-putin-be-tried-for-them |access-date=5 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220405183346/https://sites.tufts.edu/fletcherrussia/what-are-war-crimes-and-will-putin-be-tried-for-them |archive-date=5 April 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRW_Mykolaiv">{{Cite web |date=17 March 2022 |title=Ukraine: Cluster Munitions Repeatedly Used on Mykolaiv |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/03/17/ukraine-cluster-munitions-repeatedly-used-mykolaiv |access-date=28 March 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch}}</ref> |
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<ref name=" |
<ref name="Snyder_Russias_genocide_handbook">{{cite web |last=Snyder |first=Timothy D. |author-link=Timothy D. Snyder |date=8 April 2022 |title=Russia's genocide handbook |website=[[Substack]] |url=https://snyder.substack.com/p/russias-genocide-handbook |access-date=9 April 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408194801/https://snyder.substack.com/p/russias-genocide-handbook |archive-date=8 April 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name=" |
<ref name="OHCHR_genocide_convention_1948">{{cite web |title=Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide |website=[[Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights|OHCHR]] |date=9 December 1948 |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-prevention-and-punishment-crime-genocide |access-date=18 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220413091325/https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-prevention-and-punishment-crime-genocide |archive-date=13 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Indep_killings_UA_genocide">{{cite news |last=Buncombe |first=Andrew |title=Killings in Ukraine amount to genocide, Holocaust expert says |date=5 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Independent]] |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-bucha-war-crimes-genocide-b2050897.html |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409165511/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-bucha-war-crimes-genocide-b2050897.html |archive-date=9 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<!-- disclaimer: this reference is used for completeness; it calls for genocide of Ukrainians --> |
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<ref name="RIA_Novosti_what_RU_should_do_with_UA">{{cite web |last=Sergeytsev |first=Timofey |script-title=ru:Что Россия должна сделать с Украиной |trans-title=What should Russia do with Ukraine? |language=ru |website=[[RIA Novosti]] |date=2022-04-03 |url=https://ria.ru/20220403/ukraina-1781469605.html |access-date=2022-04-09 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220408205341/https://ria.ru/20220403/ukraina-1781469605.html |archive-date=2022-04-08}}</ref> |
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<ref name="WashPost_whats_happening_UA_genocide">{{cite news |last=Finkel |first=Eugene |author-link=Evgeny Finkel |title=Opinion: What's happening in Ukraine is genocide. Period. |date=5 April 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/05/russia-is-committing-genocide-in-ukraine |access-date=12 April 2022 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220412180205/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2022/04/05/russia-is-committing-genocide-in-ukraine/ |archive-date=12 April 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="Onet_Sejm_called_it_genocide">{{Cite web |date=23 March 2022 |title=Sejm określił działania Rosji w Ukrainie mianem ludobójstwa i zbrodni wojennych |trans-title=The Sejm described Russia's actions in Ukraine as genocide and war crimes |url=https://wiadomosci.onet.pl/kraj/sejm-okreslil-dzialania-rosji-w-ukrainie-mianem-ludobojstwa-i-zbrodni-wojennych/820t6sw |access-date=17 April 2022 |website=Onet Wiadomości |language=pl}}</ref> |
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<ref name="...">{{cite news |last1= |first1= |last2= |first2= |pages= |date= |title= |trans-title= |language= |publisher= |newspaper= |url= |access-date=2022... |url-status=live |archive-url= |archive-date=2022...}}</ref> |
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<ref>{{cite |
<ref name="BBC_Stanton_RU_genocidal_intent">{{cite news |last1=Wright |first1=George |title=Ukraine war: Is Russia committing genocide? |date=13 April 2022 |newspaper=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61017352 |access-date=23 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220422194536/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61017352 |archive-date=22 April 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref> |
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<ref name="DW_Luchterhandt">{{Cite news |author=Deutsche Welle |script-title=ru:Немецкий эксперт: Действия России в Мариуполе можно назвать геноцидом |title=Nemetskiy ekspert: Deystviya Rossii v Mariupole mozhno nazvat' genotsidom |trans-title=Expert: Russia's actions in Mariupol can be called genocide |url=https://www.dw.com/ru/nemeckij-jekspert-dejstvija-rf-v-mariupole-mozhno-nazvat-genocidom/a-61247449 |access-date=18 April 2022 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |language=ru-RU}}</ref> |
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}} |
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<ref name="WSJ_RU_forces_kill_civilians">{{Cite news |last1=Trofimov |first1=Yaroslav |last2=Marson |first2=James |date=14 March 2022 |title=Russian Forces Kill Civilians, Loot for Supplies in Occupied Ukraine, Residents Say |language=en-US |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-forces-kill-civilians-loot-for-supplies-in-occupied-ukraine-residents-say-11647267560 |access-date=18 April 2022 |issn=0099-9660}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Interfax_UA_parliament_genocide">{{Cite news |title=Rada recognizes Russian army's actions in Ukraine as genocide of Ukrainian people |url=https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/824182.html |access-date=14 April 2022 |newspaper=[[Interfax-Ukraine]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20220423154528/https://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/824182.html |archive-date=23 April 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRW_Vehicles">{{Cite web |date=2 May 2022 |title=Ukraine: Russian Forces Fired On Civilian Vehicles |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/02/ukraine-russian-forces-fired-civilian-vehicles |access-date=3 May 2022 |website=Human Rights Watch |language=en}}</ref> |
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<ref name="OSCE_13_April">{{cite report|date=13 April 2022 |first1=Wolfgang |last1=Benedek |first2=Veronika |last2=Bílková |first3=Marco |last3=Sassòli |title=Report On Violations Of International Humanitarian And Human Rights Law, War Crimes And Crimes Against Humanity Committed In Ukraine Since 24 February 2022 |url=https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/f/a/515868.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220414032244if_/https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/f/a/515868.pdf |archive-date=14 April 2022 |access-date=14 April 2022 |publisher=[[Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe]]|id=ODIHR.GAL/26/22/Rev.1}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Guardian_Rape">{{Cite web |date=4 April 2022 |title=Rape as a weapon: huge scale of sexual violence inflicted in Ukraine emerges |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/all-wars-are-like-this-used-as-a-weapon-of-war-in-ukraine |access-date=7 May 2022 |website=[[The Guardian]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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<ref name="NPR_Rape">{{Cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |date=30 April 2022 |title=Rape has reportedly become a weapon in Ukraine. Finding justice may be difficult |language=en |work=[[NPR]] |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/04/30/1093339262/ukraine-russia-rape-war-crimes |access-date=7 May 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="Lieber_Human_Shields">{{Cite web |last=Schmitt |first=Michael N. |date=11 April 2022 |title=Ukraine Symposium – Weaponizing Civilians: Human Shields in Ukraine |url=https://lieber.westpoint.edu/weaponizing-civilians-human-shields-ukraine/ |access-date=7 May 2022 |website=Lieber Institute}}</ref> |
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<!-- <ref name="AI_POW_curiosity">{{cite web |title=Russia/Ukraine: Prisoners of war must be protected from public curiosity under Geneva Convention |url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-ukraine-prisoners-of-war-must-be-protected-from-public-curiosity-under-geneva-convention/ |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |date=7 March 2022 |access-date=7 March 2022 |archive-date=8 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308224159/https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/03/russia-ukraine-prisoners-of-war-must-be-protected-from-public-curiosity-under-geneva-convention/ |url-status=live}}</ref> --> |
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<ref name="Reuters_killing_POWS">{{Cite news |agency=Reuters |date=7 April 2022 |title=Video appears to show Ukrainian forces killing Russian captive |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/video-appears-show-ukrainian-forces-killing-russian-captive-2022-04-07/ |access-date=15 April 2022}}</ref> |
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<!-- <ref name="Monde_POW">{{Cite news |date=13 May 2022 |title=Vidéo. Prisonniers russes torturés : des vidéos vérifiées par "Le Monde" mettent en cause un bataillon de volontaires ukrainiens |trans-title=Video. Tortured Russian prisoners: videos verified by "Le Monde" implicate a battalion of Ukrainian volunteers |language=fr |work=[[Le Monde]] |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/international/video/2022/05/13/prisonniers-russes-tortures-des-videos-verifiees-par-le-monde-mettent-en-cause-un-bataillon-de-volontaires-ukrainiens_6125904_3210.html |access-date=20 May 2022}}</ref> --> |
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<ref name="HRW_Kyiv_Chernihiv">{{cite web|date=18 May 2022 |title=Ukraine: Executions, Torture During Russian Occupation Apparent War Crimes in Kyiv, Chernihiv Regions |work=Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/05/18/ukraine-executions-torture-during-russian-occupation |access-date=31 May 2022}}</ref> |
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<!-- <ref name="AI_Children">{{cite report |date=30 June 2022 |title="CHILDREN": THE ATTACK ON THE DONETSK REGIONAL ACADEMIC DRAMA THEATRE IN MARIUPOL, UKRAINE|url= https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/eur50/5713/2022/en/ |publisher=[[Amnesty International]] |page= |docket=EUR 50/5713/2022 |access-date= 1 July 2022}}</ref>--> |
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<ref name="BBC_filtration">{{Cite news |date=16 June 2022 |title='The Russians said beatings were my re-education' |language=en-GB |work=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-61683513 |access-date=20 June 2022}}</ref> |
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<ref name="OHCHR_July">{{Cite web |date=5 July 2002 |title=Ukraine: High Commissioner updates Human Rights Council |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2022/07/ukraine-high-commissioner-updates-human-rights-council |access-date=6 July 2022 |website=[[OHCHR]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRW_South">{{Cite web |date=22 July 2022 |title=Ukraine: Torture, Disappearances in Occupied South |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south |access-date=22 July 2022 |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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<ref name="HRW_Endangering">{{Cite web |date=21 July 2022 |title=Russian, Ukrainian Bases Endangering Civilians |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/21/russian-ukrainian-bases-endangering-civilians |access-date=23 July 2022 |website=[[Human Rights Watch]] |language=en}}</ref> |
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}} |
}} |
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== Further reading == |
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* {{Cite web |last=Clements-Hunt |first=Aaron |date=7 June 2022 |title=Russia's Campaign of Urbicide in Ukraine |url=https://newlinesinstitute.org/power-vacuums/russias-campaign-of-urbicide-in-ukraine/ |access-date=12 August 2022 |website=New Lines Institute |language=en}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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{{ |
{{Commons category|War crimes during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
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* [https://gijn.org/2022/03/02/15-tips-for-investigating-war-crimes Guide to investigating war crimes] at [[Global Investigative Journalism Network]] by investigative journalist Manisha Ganguly |
* [https://gijn.org/2022/03/02/15-tips-for-investigating-war-crimes Guide to investigating war crimes] at [[Global Investigative Journalism Network]] by investigative journalist Manisha Ganguly |
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* Contact websites for those providing evidence |
* Contact websites for those providing evidence |
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** [https://otppathway.icc-cpi.int/link/registerapplication?name=otpcontactpathway&lang=en_UK Contact pathway of the Office of the Prosecutor] of the [[International Criminal Court]] |
** [https://otppathway.icc-cpi.int/link/registerapplication?name=otpcontactpathway&lang=en_UK Contact pathway of the Office of the Prosecutor] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220314145329/https://otppathway.icc-cpi.int/link/registerapplication?name=otpcontactpathway&lang=en_UK |date=14 March 2022 }} of the [[International Criminal Court]] |
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** [https://warcrimes.gov.ua Ukrainian government website] for collecting evidence on war crimes committed by Russian forces |
** [https://warcrimes.gov.ua/en Ukrainian government website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705140353/https://warcrimes.gov.ua/en/ |date=5 July 2022 }} for collecting evidence on war crimes committed by Russian forces |
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* [https://ukraine.bellingcat.com/ Map of likely war crimes in Ukraine] by [[Bellingcat]] |
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* [https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/interactive/ap-russia-war-crimes-ukraine/ War Crimes Watch Ukraine], a collaboration between the [[Associated Press]] and [[Frontline (American TV program)|Frontline]] |
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* [https://ukraine.bellingcat.com Map of likely war crimes] by [[Bellingcat]] |
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*[https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/un-investigator-outlines-evidence-of-russian-war-crimes-in-liberated-areas-of-ukraine UN investigator outlines evidence of Russian war crimes in liberated areas of Ukraine], from ''[[PBS NewsHour]]'' (2022-09-28) |
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* Videos |
* Videos |
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** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwfyJGdFpSA Video of drone flyover of apartment buildings being bombed in Mariupol. News.com.au, The News Room, |
** [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwfyJGdFpSA Video of drone flyover of apartment buildings being bombed in Mariupol. News.com.au, The News Room, 15 March 2022] |
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** [https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1kG24ndMS4 Video of tanks firing repeatedly on apartment buildings in Mariupol, civilians in hospital, woman crying for dead children. AP News, 12 March 2022 |
** [https://www.youtube.com/embed/Z1kG24ndMS4 Video of tanks firing repeatedly on apartment buildings in Mariupol, civilians in hospital, woman crying for dead children. AP News, 12 March 2022] |
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** [https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-children-buried-under-rubble-after-russian-airstrike-hit-hospital-in-mariupol-president-zelenskyy-says-12561747 Video of aftermath, including injured pregnant woman being carried, after Russian airstrike on hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. Sky News, |
** [https://news.sky.com/story/ukraine-war-children-buried-under-rubble-after-russian-airstrike-hit-hospital-in-mariupol-president-zelenskyy-says-12561747 Video of aftermath, including injured pregnant woman being carried, after Russian airstrike on hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. Sky News, 9 March 2022] |
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** [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/at-least-52-dead-in-ukraine-train-station-attack/ CBS News video about pattern of rape by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian women during the invasion |
** [https://www.cbsnews.com/video/at-least-52-dead-in-ukraine-train-station-attack/ CBS News video about pattern of rape by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian women during the invasion] |
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{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine}} |
{{2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|War crimes}}{{War crimes}}{{International criminal law}} |
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{{International criminal law|state=collapsed}} |
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[[Category:War crimes during the Russian invasion of Ukraine| ]] |
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[[Category:Russian war crimes in Ukraine|*]] |
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[[Category:2022 crimes in Ukraine]] |
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[[Category:2023 crimes in Ukraine]] |
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Latest revision as of 08:15, 5 May 2024
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the Russian military and authorities have committed war crimes, such as deliberate attacks against civilian targets (including strikes on hospitals and on the energy grid);[1][2] indiscriminate attacks on densely-populated areas (including with cluster bombs); abduction, torture and murder of civilians; forced deportations; sexual violence; destruction of cultural heritage; and mistreatment, torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war.[3][4][5][6]
On 2 March 2023, the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a full investigation into past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide committed in Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards, set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators, and sent a team of investigators, lawyers, and other professionals to Ukraine to begin collecting evidence.[7][8] Two other independent international agencies are also investigating violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law in the area: the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council on 4 March 2022, and the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, deployed by Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights. The latter started monitoring human rights violations by all parties in 2014 and employs nearly 60 UN human rights monitors. On 7 April 2022, the United Nations suspended Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.[9] By late October, the Ukrainian Prosecutor's office had documented 39,347 alleged Russian war crimes, identified more than 600 suspects, and initiated proceedings against approximately 80 of them.[10]
On 17 March 2023, the ICC issued arrest warrants against Vladimir Putin and Maria Alekseyevna Lvova-Belova over allegations of involvement in the war crime of child abductions during the invasion of Ukraine.[11][12]
Documenting war crimes
Under numerous treaties the International Criminal Court investigates war crimes and genocide. In 1949, the Geneva Conventions defined war crimes.[13] In the late 20th century the Rome Statute added additional war crimes applicable to civil war.[14]
ICC prosecutors have issued warrants for Vladimir Putin and a Russian official responsible for adoptions in connection with the abduction of Ukrainian children into Russia. Investigators have submitted evidence of many breaches of the Geneva Convention in Russia's war in Ukraine.[15]
Moscow has denied any involvement in war crimes, a response Vittorio Bufacchi of Cork's University College says "has bordered on the farcical,"[16] and its contention that the images coming out of Bucha were fabricated "a disingenuous response born by delusional hubris, post-truth on overdrive, (that) does not merit to be taken seriously." Even the usually fractured United States Senate came together to call Putin a war criminal.[17] One of several efforts to document Russian war crimes concerns its repeated bombardment of markets and bread lines, destruction of basic infrastructure and attacks on exports and supply convoys, in a country where deliberate starvation of Ukrainians by Soviets the Holodomor still looms large in public memory.[18] Forcible deportation of populations, such as took place in Mariuopol, is another area of focus, since "(f)orced deportations and transfers are defined both as war crimes under the Fourth Geneva Convention and Additional Protocol II and Article 8 of the Rome Statute—and as crimes against humanity—under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. As both war crimes and crimes against humanity, they have several mechanisms for individual accountability, the International Criminal Court and also, at the individual state level, under universal jurisdiction and Magnitsky sanctions legislation.[19]
Prohibited weapons
Russian forces used chemical weapons 465 times between 24 February 2022 and December 2023, according to Ukraine, including K-51 grenades, RGR grenades, Drofa-PM hand gas grenades, and RG-VO gas grenades, which contain an unknown chemical substance.[20] Forbes and CNN reported that they likely used CS gas (tear gas).[21]
In May 2024, the United States Department of State imposed new sanctions against Russian entities and individuals due to Russian forces' use of chloropicrin against Ukrainian troops.[22]
Abduction and deportation
The International Criminal Court recognizes abduction and deportation as a war crime and the forced resettlement of children as a form of genocide.[23]
Abduction of Ukrainian children
According to Ukrainian authorities, Russian forces kidnapped more than 121,000 Ukrainian children and deported them to Russia's eastern provinces. The parents of some of the children had been killed by the Russian military. The Russian state Duma drafted a law formalizing the "adoption" of these children.[24] The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that there was a "blatant threat of illegal adoption of Ukrainian children by Russian citizens without observing all the necessary procedures determined by the legislation of Ukraine.” and called on United Nations bodies to intervene to have the children returned to Ukraine.[25] On 1 June 2022, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy accused Russia of forcibly deporting more than 200,000 children from Ukraine, including orphans and children separated from their family. He said this was a "heinous war crime" and a "criminal policy," whose object was "not just to steal people but to make deportees forget about Ukraine and not be able to return."[26]
According to Ukrainian officials and two witnesses, Russian forces forcibly deported thousands of residents from Ukraine to Russia during the Siege of Mariupol.[27] On 24 March, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs claimed that the Russian army had forcibly deported about 6,000 Mariupol residents as "hostages" and put more pressure on Ukraine.[28] According to the Russian ministry of defense, residents of Mariupol had a "voluntary choice" whether to evacuate to Ukrainian- or Russian-controlled territory and that by 20 March about 60,000 Mariupol residents were "evacuated to Russia". Human Rights Watch was not been able to verify these accounts.[29]
The US embassy in Kyiv cited the Ukrainian foreign ministry saying that 2,389 Ukrainian children had been illegally removed from Donetsk and Luhansk and taken to Russia.[30]
On 24 March, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman said that over 402,000 Ukrainians had been forcefully taken to Russia, including about 84,000 children.[31] Russian authorities said that more than 384,000 people, including over 80,000 children, had been evacuated to Russia from Ukraine and from the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.[32]
Deportation of protected peoples such as civilians during war is prohibited by Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.[33] On 7 June, Human Rights Watch specialist Tanya Lokshina emphasized this, reiterating that forcible involuntary deportation was itself a war crime, and called for Russia to stop this practice. In addition, Human Rights Watch and Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group reported cases where refugees were being intimidated and pressured to implicate Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel for war crimes in long interrogation sessions, including the Mariupol theatre airstrike.[34]
Time period | Deported | Source |
---|---|---|
18 February | 90,000 (DNR and LNR) | Ombudsman of Ukraine[35] |
24 February – 24 March 2022 | 402,000 | Ombudsman of Ukraine[36] |
24 February – 11 April 2022 | 700,000 | Ombudsman of Ukraine[35] |
24 February – 28 April 2022 | 1,000,000 | Ombudsman of Ukraine[37] |
Arbitrary detention and forced disappearance
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights reported 270 cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance of civilians, eight of whom were later found dead. The OHCHR informed the Human Rights Council that arbitrary detention of civilians, including 21 journalists and civil society activists, had become "widespread" in territory controlled by Russian forces and affiliated armed groups. Nine of them had already reportedly been released.[38][6][39] The Human Rights Monitoring Mission also verified the arrests and detention of 24 public officials and civil servants, including three mayors, by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups of the self-proclaimed republics of Luhansk and Donetsk.[38][6][39]
International humanitarian law allows the internment of civilians in armed conflict only when they individually pose a security threat, [40] and all detained persons whose prisoners of war (PoW) status is in doubt must be treated as prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention until their status has been determined.[41] Reports of missing civilians, most of them male, were rampant to the west of Kyiv as Russian troops withdrew. One woman in Makhariv told reporters she saw Russian soldiers take her son-in-law at gunpoint from their house, and that he had not been seen since. Another man disappeared in Shptky, while attempting to deliver petrol to a friend. Only his burned out and bullet-ridden car was later found by Ukrainian troops.[42]
On 5 July, the Human Rights Council said that arbitrary detention of civilians had become "widespread" OHCHR also reported that since the beginning of the invasion the Security Service of Ukraine and National Police had arrested over one thousand pro-Russian supporters, and that 12 cases were likely to amount to enforced disappearance by Ukrainian law enforcement bodies.[43][44]
As of 15 May 62 victims (44 men and 18 women) of enforced disappearance had been released by Russian and Russian-affiliated armed groups. Most often the victims were released in "exchanges of prisoners" between Russia and Ukraine.[43] According to the OHCHR, such exchanges might constitute cases of hostage taking; if Russia's release of detained Ukrainian civilians was made conditional on Ukraine's release of Russian prisoners of war, this, in armed conflict, amounts to a war crime.[43]
Filtration camps
Evacuees from Mariupol raised concerns about the treatment of fellow evacuees by Russian troops at a Russian filtration camp that reportedly housed civilians until they were evacuated. Ukrainian officials have called similar camps "modern-day concentration camps". Refugees reported torture and killings at filtration camps, especially in Mariupol.[45][46] This included beatings, electrocution and suffocation with plastic bags over the heads.[45]
The refugees were fingerprinted, photographed from all sides, and had their phones searched. Anyone believed to be a "Ukrainian Nazi" was taken to Donetsk for interrogation. Refugees told reporters the camps lacked basic necessities and most evacuations forced refugees into Russia.[47]
On 5 July the OHCHR expressed concern about the whereabouts and treatment of those still in the filtration process who were possibly detained in unknown locations at high risk of torture and ill-treatment.[43]
Attacks on civilians
The charter of the International Criminal Court, defines attacks against civilian infrastructure constitute crimes of war.[48] The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, said Russia made indiscriminate attacks and strikes on civilian assets like houses, hospitals, schools and kindergartens.[39] On 25 February, Amnesty International said Russian forces had "shown a blatant disregard for civilian lives by using ballistic missiles and other explosive weapons with wide-area effects in densely-populated areas". Russia falsely claimed it only used precision-guided weapons, Amnesty said, and attacks on Vuhledar, Kharkiv and Uman, were likely crimes of war.[4]
A 3 March statement from the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it recorded at least 1006 civilian casualties in the first week of the invasion, but believed the real figures were "considerably higher."[49]
The World Health Organization said on 6 March that multiple health care centres had been attacked, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus noted that "attacks on healthcare facilities or workers breach medical neutrality and violate international humanitarian law."[50]
Russia repeatedly violated international humanitarian law with indiscriminate attacks and direct attacks on civilian targets Amnesty said, and verified reports and footage demonstrated numerous strikes on hospitals and schools and the use of inaccurate explosive weapons and banned weapons such as cluster bombs.[51]
On 5 July, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet reported that most civilian casualties documented by her office were caused by the Russians' repeated use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and that the heavy civilian toll from indiscriminate weapons and tactics had become "indisputable".[43]
Reports on the use of cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine raised concerns about civilian casualties.[39][52] Neither the Russian Federation nor Ukraine ratified the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions,[53] but principles of international humanitarian law prohibit indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks.[6] The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights ffice of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said cluster munitions were used by both Russian armed forces and pro-Russian separatists, and to a lesser degree by Ukrainian armed forces.[54]
The New York Times reported on 19 June 2023 it had seen over 1000 photographs of cluster munitions in populated areas. It said most were unguided missiles with a propensity for collateral damage to civilians.
Kyiv and Chernihiv regions
Human Rights Watch said that in Staryi Bykiv Russian forces rounded up at least six men on 27 February and executed them.[55] The soldiers left on 31 March after more executions. Most property in Staryi Bykiv and Novyi Bykiv was damaged or destroyed, including the school.[56]
On 28 February, five civilians defending the post office in Peremoha were summarily executed by theRussians, who later blew up the post office.[57]
On 7 March, a Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces drone near E40 highway outside Kyiv filmed Russian troops shooting a civilian with his hands up.[58] When Ukrainian forces recaptured the area four weeks later, a BBC news crew found the burned bodies of the man and his wife near their burned car. At least ten dead bodies lined the highway, some also burnt. Two wore recognisable Ukrainian military uniforms. The drone footage was submitted to Ukrainian authorities and London's Metropolitan Police.[58]
Russia progressively 26 March 2022 towards Donbas.[59] Borodianka's mayor said Russian soldiers fired through every open window as their convoy moved through town. Retreating Russians also mined the town. Its inhabitants later reported that Russian occupiers had deliberately targeted them and blocked rescue efforts.[60]
Kyiv regional police reported pn 15 April that 900 civilian bodies were found in the region after the Russians withdrew, with more than 350 in Bucha. They said almost 95% of them were "simply executed". Bodies continued to be found under rubble and in mass graves.[61] As of 15 May, over 1,200 civilian bodies had been recovered in Kyiv region alone.[43]
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said another 132 were found in Makariv, and accused Russians of torturing and killing them.[62]
On 5 July, the OHCHR said it was working on over 300 reports of deliberate Russian killings of civilians.[43] with prima facie evidence, witness statements, and Ukrainian intercepts of Russian military conversations,[63] and Russian contingency planning for mass graves.[64]
Bucha massacre
Russian forces north of Kyiv withdrew in late March, Videos emerged of bodies in the streets, at least twenty in civilian clothing.[65] AFP saw at least twenty civilians corpses in the street, all shot in the back of the head. At least one had its hands tied, Another 270 to 280 were buried in mass graves.[66][65] Police said on 15 April they had found 350 bodies in Bucha, most with gunshot wounds.[61]
Drone video verified by The New York Times showed two Russian armoured vehicles firing at a civilian walking a bicycle. A later video showed the body lying next to a bicycle.[67] The Economist reported a man trapped at a checkpoint who took artillery fire then was captured, beaten and tortured, then taken outside to be shot. He played dead until he could flee.[68] BBC News reported tied bodies of civilians at a temple, run over by a tank.[69]
Territorial Defense Forces released video of 18 mutilated bodies in Zabuchchya, Bucha district.[70] A Ukrainian soldier said some bodies had their ears cut off and the teeth of others had been pulled.[70] Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported a Russian "execution cellar" used by Russian forces.[71] Russian soldiers killed a woman and her 14-year-old after they threw smoke grenades into a basement where they hid.[72]
Russian tanks entered Bucha shooting randomly at house windows as they drove down the streets.[73] The New York Times said snipers in high-rise buildings shot at anyone that moved.[74] A witness told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that Russians "were killing people systematically. I personally heard how one sniper was boasting that he 'offed' two people he saw in apartment windows..."[75] Troops fired at civilians seeking food and water, witnesses said, and ordered them back inside without basic necessities like water and heat. Russian troops shot indiscriminately at buildings and refused medical aid to injured civilians, HRW said.[73]
Russian soldiers checked documents and killed anyone who had fought in Donbas or had tattoos of right-wing or Ukrainian symbols, said a witness. In the last days of occupation, Kadyrovite Chechen fighters shot at every civilian they met.[76] A resident said Russians checked cell phones for evidence of "anti-Russian activity" before they took people away or shot them.[77]
Associated Press saw charred bodies on a residential street near a playground in Bucha on 5 April. One had a bullet hole in its skull, another was the burned body of a child. They could not identify them or determine how they died.[78] Ukrainian investigators found beheadings, mutilation and incinerated corpses, and the next day three more bodies in a glass factory, The Washington Post reported. At least one body was booby trapped, mined with tripwires.[79] HRW reported "extensive evidence of summary executions... and torture" in Bucha and 16 apparently unlawful killings, nine summary executions and seven indiscriminate killings of civilians.[80]
The New York Times on 19 May released video of Russian paratroopers leading a group of civilians, clearly in Russian custody minutes before their execution. The video confirms eyewitness accounts.[81]
By 8 August 458 bodies were recovered, including 9 children; 419 were killed with weapons and 39 died of natural causes possibly related to the occupation.[82]
On 7 December OHCHR reported that the Monitoring Mission in Ukraine had documented at least 73 unlawful killings of civilians in Bucha and were still confirming another 105.[83]
Kharkiv region
On 15 September 2022, after Russian forces were driven out of Izium hundreds of graves with simple wooden crosses, most of them marked only with numbers, were found in the woods near the city.[84][85] One of the larger graves bore a marker saying it contained the bodies of at least 17 Ukrainian soldiers.[84] Ukrainian investigators said 447 bodies were found: 414 of them civilians (215 men, 194 women, 5 children), 22 soldiers, and 11 bodies whose gender had notyet been determined as of 23 September. While some casualties were caused by artillery fire[86] and lack of healthcare,[87] most showed signs of violent death and 30 of torture and summary execution, including ropes around their necks, bound hands, broken limbs and genital amputation.[88][89]
In Kupiansk, local law enforcement found the bodies of a family of three and their neighbour, shot at close range in mid-September and buried in a mass grave. The bodies had bullet wounds to the chest and head. Automatic weapon casings were found in a nearby cellar. On 6 October, police found two bodies of tortured men in a brick-making workshop, one with a gunshot wound.[90]
On 5 October, mass graves were also found in Lyman, Ukrainian troops and law enforcement found 110 trenches containing graves, some for children, at the Nova Maslyakivka cemetery. Both civilians and soldiers, the 55 bodies showed "explosive and projectile injuries, as well as bullet injuries". Among the dead were a family and their 1-year-old child.[91] 34 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were also found, in total, 144 bodies were found in the city, 108 of which in mass graves, among the dead, 85 were civilians.[92] Witnesses said Russian troops killed everyone who helped Ukrainian soldiers, and forced locals to bury the bodies. They said many bodies were left for days in the street. Many dead Russian soldiers were also found.[93][better source needed]
Trostianets
After Trostyanets in Sumy Oblast was retaken, the morgue reported that at least one person had been tortured and killed by Russians, and young people abducted. The hospital was also shelled; the locals accused the Russians.[94]
Reporters from The Guardian visited the town after it was retaken and found evidence of executions, looting and torture. The mayor said Russians killed between 50 and 100 civilians during their occupation of the town. A witness said Russian soldiers fired into the air to frighten women delivering food to the elderly, shouting "Run bitches!".[95]
Shooting at civilian vehicles
According to Ukrainian regional authorities, at least 25 civilians, including six children, were killed in attacks on cars trying to flee Chernihiv, or attacked in public places; one such incident involved the killing of a 15-year-old boy on 9 March, investigated by tne BBC and reported on 10 April.[96] On 2 May a Human Rights Watch report documented three incidents in Kyiv and Chernihiv regions where Russians firing on passing cars, killing six civilians and wounding three. Witness accounts and onsite investigations revealed that the attacks were likely deliberate and suggested that the Russians also fired on other vehicles.[2]
On 28 February, Russian forces shot at two vehicles that were trying to flee from Hostomel, northwest of Kyiv. On 3 March, in the same area, they opened fire on a vehicle with four men who were going to negotiate the delivery of humanitarian aid. In the village of Nova Basan, in the Chernihiv region, Russian soldiers shot at a civilian van carrying two men, injuring one; then pulled the second man from the van and summarily executed him, while the injured man escaped.[2]
CCTV video also from 28 February shows that two civilians (a 72-year-old man and a 68-year-old woman) were killed when their car was blown apart by shots from a Russian BMP armoured infantry fighting vehicle at the intersection of Bogdan Khmelnytsky Street and Okruzhna Road, near the hospital in Makariv.[97][98][99]
The Kyiv Independent reported that on 4 March Russian forces killed three unarmed Ukrainian civilians who had just delivered dog food to a dog shelter in Bucha. As they were approaching their house, a Russian armored vehicle opened fire on the car.[100] In another incident, on 5 March at around 7:15 AM in Bucha, a pair of cars carrying two families trying to leave the town were spotted by Russian soldiers as the vehicles turned onto Chkalova Street. Russian forces in an armored vehicle opened fire on the convoy, killing a man in the second vehicle. The front car was hit by a burst of machine-gun fire, instantly killing two children and their mother.[101]
On 27 March the Russian army shot at a convoy of cars carrying civilians fleeing the village of Stepanki, near Kharkiv. An elderly woman and a 13-year-old girl were killed. The incident was investigated both by the team on war crimes of the prosecutor's office in the Kharkiv region and by the Canadian news outlet Global News. The prosecutor's office said that on 26 March a Russian commander had given the order to fire rockets at civilian areas in order to create a sense of panic among the population. Global News presented what it saw as flaws in the official investigation.[102]
On 18 April, during the capture of Kreminna, Russian forces were accused of shooting four civilians fleeing in their cars.[103][104]
Kupiansk civilian convoy shooting
On 30 September, a convoy of six civilian cars and a van on the outskirts of the village of Kurylivka (at that time in the so-called "gray zone" between Kupiansk and Svatove) was discovered by Ukrainian forces, with around 24 people killed, including a pregnant woman and 13 children.[105] Ukraine accused Russian forces of being the perpetrators.[106] Investigations suggested that the civilians were killed around 25 September.[90]
The bodies were apparently shot and burned out, according to 7 witnesses who managed to flee to the village of Kivsharivka, the convoy was ambushed by Russian forces on 25 September at around ~9:00 AM (UTC+3) while leaving for the village of Pishchane through the only available road at that time, after the attack, the Russian troops reportedly executed the remaining survivors.[107] During the month, law enforcement officers identified all the victims of the convoy.[108][109][110] 22 people managed to escape, 3 of those (including 2 children) injured.[109] in the following days, 2 other bodies were found, with the final death toll being 26.[111] Some of the physical evidence (the bodies of the victims and the car) was examined by French experts. They discovered signs of the use of 30 mm and 45 mm high-explosive shells, as well as VOG-17 and VOG-25 grenades.[112]
Shooting of Andrii Bohomaz
In June 2022, Russian troops fired against Andrii Bohomaz and Valeria Ponomarova, a married couple in a car in the Izium area.[113] The car was struck with a 30 millimetre round fired from the gun on a BMP-2 fighting vehicle.[114] The couple fled from their damaged car after the attack, Bohomaz had been badly injured in the head, Russian troops later found him, and, incorrectly assuming he was dead, dropped him in a ditch, he woke up 30 hours later, with several injuries and shrapnels lodged in his body.[115][113]
Bohomaz later managed to walk to a Ukrainian position, being rescued and given first aid by Ukrainian troops.[116] Ukrainian forces later liberated the region, allowing them to start an investigation about the shooting, Ukrainian police have accused Russian commander Klim Kerzhaev of the 2nd Guards Motor Rifle Division for being responsible for the shooting, based on interceptions of his phone calls to his wife after the shooting.[113]
Unlawful wanton destruction or appropriation of property
The Geneva Convention recognizes wanton destruction of property which may include targeting of hospitals, energy infrastructure, and nuclear powerplants.[117]
Hospitals and medical facilities
As of 26 March 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine verified 74 attacks on medical facilities, 61 of them in Government-controlled territory (e.g. air strikes on hospitals in Izium, Mariupol, Ovruch, Volnovakha and Vuhledar), nine occurring in territory controlled by Russian affiliated armed groups, and four in contested settlements. Six perinatal centres, maternity hospitals, and ten children's hospitals had been hit, resulting in the complete destruction of two children's hospitals and one perinatal hospital.[39] On 26 March, AP journalists in Ukraine claimed they had gathered sufficient evidence to demonstrate that Russia was deliberately targeting Ukrainian hospitals across the country.[118]
On 30 March 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that there had been 82 verified Russian attacks on medical care in Ukraine – including attacks on healthcare facilities, patients, and healthcare workers – since 24 February. WHO estimated at least 72 were killed and 43 injured in these attacks.[119] By 8 April, WHO confirmed 91 attacks.[120]
As of 30 May 2023, WHO has verified 1,004 attacks on medical facilities in Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian invasion, resulting in at least 101 deaths among health workers and patients, and many injuries. The number of attacks verified by WHO is the highest it has ever recorded in a humanitarian emergency.[121][122] By 21 December 2023, the number of attacks on health care had risen to 1,422, as reported by the WHO Surveillance System for Attacks on Health Care (SSA) tool.[123]
Energy infrastructure
After October 2022, Russia increased the intensity of its attacks on power stations and other civilian infrastructure in a campaign intended to demoralize the Ukrainian people and threatening to leave millions of civilians without heating or water during winter.[124][125] As of 20 October 2022, up to 40% of Ukraine's power grid has been attacked by Russia.[126] The government has asked citizens to conserve energy, and introducedrolling blackouts.[127]
The World Health Organization has warned of a potential humanitarian crisis, saying that "lack of access to fuel or electricity due to damaged infrastructure could become a matter of life or death if people are unable to heat their homes."[125][128] Denise Brown, the United Nations Resident Coordinator for Ukraine, said that the attacks could result in "a high risk of mortality during the winter months."[124]
Ravina Shamdasani, a spokesperson for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that "attacks targeting civilians and objects indispensable to the survival of civilians are prohibited under international humanitarian law" and "amount to a war crime."[129] The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen[130] and 11 members of NATO's eastern flank also called the attacks a war crime.[129]
In his comprehensive analysis,[131] Charles J. Dunlap jr., executive director of Duke Law School's Centre on Law, Ethics and National Security and former deputy judge advocate general of the U.S. Air Force, pointed to the view that “[e]lectric power stations are generally recognized to be of sufficient importance to a State's capacity to meet its wartime needs of communication, transport, and industry so as usually to qualify as military objectives during armed conflicts”,[132] furthermore that they have been a favourite target for almost a century, and that Ukraine did resort to similar tactics in 2015.[133]
Military structures, too, typically rely on the civilian electrical grid. Also, attacks on civilian enterprises may be justified due to the Ukraine's "sizeable domestic military-industrial complex" and due to energy exports (also in the form of electricity) being one of Ukraine's main revenue sources. The distinction between military and civilian targets is still relevant but does however not preclude attacks on dual-use (military and civilian) facilities if it is not "reasonably feasible to segregate [civilian portions] out from the overall strike" - as it may be the case with Ukraine's "thoroughly integrated" electrical grid. The blurring of citizen and combatant, e.g. by calling upon citizens to report enemy positions via government apps, further complicates the picture.[134]
Nuclear power plants
At 11:28 pm local time on 3 March 2022, a column of 10 Russian armored vehicles and two tanks cautiously approached the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest.[135][136] The action commenced at 12:48am on 4 March when Ukraine forces fired anti-tank missiles and Russian forces responded with a variety of weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades.[136] During approximately two hours of heavy fighting a fire broke out in a training facility outside the main complex, which was extinguished by 6:20am,[137][39] though other sections surrounding the plant sustained damage.[136] That evening, the Kyiv US Embassy described the Russian attack on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant as a war crime,[138] though the US State Department quickly retracted this claim with the circumstances of the attack being studied[139] and the Pentagon declining to describe the attack as a war crime.[140]
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing "nuclear terror" by ordering the attack on the plant[141] and Ukraine regulatory authorities stated that Russian forces fired artillery shells at the plant, setting fire to the training facility.[142][143] The Russian Ambassador to the UN responded that Russian forces were fired upon by Ukrainian "saboteurs" from the training facility, which they set fire to when they left.[144] Later on 4 March, the Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that the plant's safety systems had not been affected and there had been no release of radioactive materials, however, he was "... gravely concerned about the situation at Ukraine's largest nuclear power plant. The main priority was to ensure the safety and security of the plant, its power supply and the people who operate it".[145]
Attacks on nuclear power facilities are mainly governed by Article 56 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions,[146][147] which generally prohibits attacks against civilian nuclear power plants.[148][149] According to international scholars: "if it is established that Russian forces engaged in the shelling of the Zaporizhzhia plant or objectives in its vicinity in a way that risked a radioactive leak, it is almost certain that this operation violated Article 56"[148] but it is "less likely" that Russian forces have committed a war crime in this case.[149]
On 13 April, a report of the OSCE Moscow Mechanism's mission of experts concluded that Russian forces "did not attack buildings that could have released dangerous forces if damaged. They attacked and damaged, however, nearby buildings by attacks that could have affected those able to release radioactivity."[150]
Cultural heritage
According to the United Nations intentional attacks against building dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals not being used as military infrastructure is a War Crime.[152]
The use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects has raised concerns about the proximity of historic monuments, works of art, churches and other cultural properties.[153][154][155][156] Russian forces damaged or destroyed the Kuindzhi Art Museum in Mariupol, the Soviet-era Shchors cinema and a Gothic revival library in Chernihiv,[157] the Babyn Yar Holocaust memorial complex in Kyiv,[158] the Soviet-era Slovo building[154] and the regional state administration building in Kharkiv, a 19th-century wooden church in Viazivka, Zhytomyr Region,[159] and the Historical and Local History Museum in Ivankiv.[160] On 24 June, UNESCO stated that at least 150 Ukrainian historical sites, religious buildings, and museums were confirmed to have sustained damage during the Russian invasion.[161]
Cultural property enjoys special protection under international humanitarian law.[162] Protocol I of the Geneva Convention and the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict (both binding on Ukraine and Russia) prohibits state parties from targeting historic monuments in support of a military effort and from making them the objects of acts of hostility or reprisals.[162] Protocol II of the Hague Convention allows attacks on a cultural property only in case of "imperative military necessity" provided that there is no feasible alternative. While Protocol II does not apply as such, as only Ukraine is a party and it applies only between parties,[150] the provision on imperative military necessity may be applicable if it is interpreted as informing the convention, rather than adding to it.[162] Attacks against cultural heritage amount to war crimes and can be prosecuted before the International Criminal Court.[162]
Torture of civilians
The International Criminal Court, based on the Geneva Convention, defines murder, cruel or degrading treatment and torture as a war crime.[163] The United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture said in September 2023 that Russia's use of torture "is not random, aberrant behavior," but "orchestrated as part of state policy to intimidate, instill fear or punish to extract information and confessions".[164]
On 22 March the non-profit organization Reporters Without Borders reported that Russian forces had captured a Ukrainian fixer and interpreter for Radio France on 5 March as he headed home to a village in Central Ukraine. He was held captive for nine days and subjected to electric shocks, beatings with an iron bar and a mock execution.[165][166][167] On 25 March Reporters Without Borders stated that Russian forces had threatened, kidnapped, detained and tortured several Ukrainian journalists in the occupied territories.[168][169] Torture is prohibited by both Article 32 of the Fourth Geneva Convention and Article 2 of the United Nations Convention against Torture.[170][171]
In April Human Rights Watch visited 17 villages in Kyiv Oblast and Chernihiv Oblast that had been under Russian occupation from late February through March 2022. The human rights organisation investigated 22 summary executions, 9 unlawful killings, 6 enforced disappearances, and 7 cases of torture. Witnesses reported that Russian soldiers beat detainees, used electric shocks, and carried out mock executions to coerce them to provide information.[172] Twenty-one civilians described unlawful confinement in inhuman and degrading conditions.[172]
On 4 April, Dementiy Bilyi, head of the Kherson regional department of the Committee of Voters of Ukraine, said that the Russian security forces were "beating, torturing, and kidnapping" civilians in the Kherson Oblast of Ukraine. He added that eyewitnesses had described "dozens" of arbitrary searches and detentions, resulting in an unknown amount of abducted persons.[173] At least 400 residents had gone missing by 16 March, with the mayor and deputy mayor of the town of Skadovsk being abducted by armed men.[174] A leaked letter described Russian plans to unleash a "great terror" to suppress protests occurring in Kherson, stating that people would "have to be taken from their homes in the middle of the night".[175]
Russian soldiers were also accused of murders, tortures, and beatings of civilians in Borodianka during the withdrawal.[176][177]
Ukrainians who escaped from occupied Kherson into Ukrainian-controlled territory provided testimonies of torture, abuse and kidnapping by Russian forces in the region. One person from Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast provided physical evidence of having been tortured by Russians and described beatings, electrocutions, mock executions, strangulations, threats to kill family members and other forms of torture.[178]
An investigation by the BBC gathered evidence of torture, which in addition to beatings also included electrocution and burns on people's hands and feet. A doctor who treated victims of torture in the region reported: "Some of the worst were burn marks on genitals, a gunshot wound to the head of a girl who was raped, and burns from iron on a patient's back and stomach. The patient told me two wires from a car battery were attached to his groin and he was told to stand on a wet rag". In addition to the BBC, the Human Rights Watch UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported on torture and "disappearances" carried out by Russian occupation forces in the region. One resident stated: "In Kherson, now people go missing all the time (...) there is a war going on, only this part is without bombs."[179]
Kherson's elected Ukrainian mayor has compiled a list of more than 300 people who had been kidnapped by Russian forces as of 15 May 2022. According to The Times, in the building housing the Russian occupation authorities, the screams of the tortured could be frequently heard throughout the corridors.[180]
On 22 July Human Rights Watch published a report documenting 42 cases of torture, unlawful detention and enforced disappearance of civilians in the Russian-occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions.[181] Witnesses described torture through prolonged beatings and electric shocks causing injuries including broken bones, broken teeth, severe burns, concussions, cuts and bruises. They also described being kept blindfolded and handcuffed for the entire duration of the detention, and being released only after having signed statements or recorded videos in which they pledge to cooperate or urge others to cooperate with the Russian forces.[181] Ukrainian officials estimated that at least 600 people had been forcibly disappeared in the Kherson region since the Russian invasion.[181]
Teachers in Russian-occupied areas were forced by the military to teach in the Russian language and were tortured for using Ukrainian.[182]
Russian torture chambers
Kyiv region
On 4 April, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine stated police in the Kyiv region found a "torture chamber" in the basement of a children's sanatorium in Bucha. The basement contained the bodies of five men with hands tied behind their backs. The announcement was accompanied by several photos posted on Facebook.[183][184]
Sumy region
In mid-April 2022 The Independent obtained two testimonies of survivors of a Russian torture chamber in Trostyanets, Sumy oblast. According to the witnesses, at least eight civilians were held in a basement of a train station, where they were tortured, starved, subject to mock executions, forced to sit in their own excrement, electrocuted, stripped, and threatened with rape and genital mutilation. At least one prisoner was beaten to death by Russian guards who told the prisoners "All Ukrainians must die". Two were still missing at the time of the report. One prisoner was given electric shocks to his head until he begged the Russian soldiers to kill him. Numerous bodies, mutilated to the point where they were unrecognizable, were discovered by investigators in the area around the town.[185]
Kharkiv region
After the successful Kharkiv counteroffensive by Ukraine which liberated a number of settlements and villages in the Kharkiv region from Russian occupation,[186] authorities discovered torture chambers which had been used by Russian troops during their time in control of the area.
In the town of Balakliya, which the Russians occupied for six months, forensics specialists, human rights activists, criminal law experts, and Ukrainian investigators found extensive evidence of war crimes and torture. During the Russian occupation, the troops used a two-story building named "BalDruk" (after a former publishing company which had an office there before the war) as a prison and a torture center. The Russians also used the police station building across the street for torture. Ukrainian officials say that around 40 people were held in the torture chambers during the occupation and subject to various forms of violence, including electrocution, beatings and mutilation.[187][188] Two torture chambers specifically for children were also found in the city, one of the kids who had been held there described being cut with a knife, burnt with heated metal and subjected to mock executions.[189]
Another Russian torture chamber was found in the liberated village of Kozacha Lopan, located at the local railway station.[190][191] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that more than ten torture chambers, along with mass graves, had been discovered in the Kharkiv areas liberated by Ukrainian troops.[190][192] Zelenskyy also said: "As the occupiers fled they also dropped the torture devices".[191] Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor's Office stated that "Representatives of the Russian Federation created a pseudo-law enforcement agency, in the basement of which a torture chamber was set up, where civilians were subjected to inhumane torture."[191] Ukrainian prosecutors have opened investigations into Russia's use of torture chambers.[193]
In Izium, journalists for the Associated Press found ten torture sites. An investigation found that both Ukrainian civilians and POWs were "routinely" subject to torture. At least eight men were killed while under torture.[194][195]
Between late September and early October, Human Rights Watch interviewed over 100 residents of Izium. Almost all of them reported having family members or friends who had been tortured, and fifteen people said they had been tortured themselves; survivors described torture by administration of electric shocks, waterboarding, severe beatings, threats with firearms and being forced to hold stress positions for long periods.[196] Residents stated that the Russians targeted specific individuals and that they already had lists of those locals who were in the military, the families of military people, or the people who were veterans of the war in Donbas.[197] They also said that in selecting victims they would terrorize the townspeople by publicly strip searching them.[198]
By October, no less than 10 torture sites had been identified in the town of approximately 46,000 inhabitants.[199]
Zaporizhzhia region
In July 2022, The Guardian reported on torture chambers in the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia region based on the testimony of a 16-year-old boy who was held in one of them, beginning in April. The boy was arrested by Russian soldiers while trying to leave the occupied city of Melitopol because he had a video on his phone from social media, which featured Russian soldiers expressing defeatist attitudes towards Russia's invasion. He was held in a make shift prison in Vasylivka. According to his testimony, he saw rooms where torture took place, as well as bloodstains and soaked bandages, and heard the screams of the people being tortured. The torture involved electric shocks and beatings and could last for several hours.[200]
Kherson region
After the liberation of Kherson by Ukrainian forces from Russian occupation, Ukraine's human rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said that investigators had discovered Russian torture chambers established especially for children. According to local testimony revealed by Lubinets, the children were denied food and given water only every other day, were told their parents had abandoned them and forced to clean up the blood resulting from torture in adjacent torture cells for adults.[201][202][203] Lubinets reported that a total of ten torture chambers were discovered by Ukrainian investigators in Kherson region, four of them in the city itself.[202]
A Russian makeshift prison that functioned as an FSB torture chamber was discovered in the city, Ukrainian authorities estimated the number of people who had been imprisoned there at some point to be in the thousands. Among other instruments of torture, FSB officials used electric shocks against the victims.[204]
Civilians as human shields
Russia
The International Criminal Court classifies using civilians as a human shield as a grave violation of the Geneva Convention and thus a war crime.[205] On 29 June, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights expressed concern about Russian armed forces and pro-Russian armed groups as well as Ukrainian forces taking up positions close to civilian objects without taking measures for protecting the civilians.[206] The human rights agency received reports of the use of human shields, which involves the deliberate use of civilians to render certain military objectives immune from attack.[206]
ABC News and The Economist reported Russian soldiers using over 300 Ukrainian civilians as human shields in Yahidne from 3 to 31 March. Russian forces were using the village as a base to attack the nearby city of Chernihiv and had established a major military camp in the local school. For 28 days, 360 Ukrainian civilians, including 74 children and 5 persons with disabilities, were held captive in inhumane conditions in the basement of the school while the nearby areas were under attack by the Ukrainian forces.[207] The basement was overcrowded, with no toilet facilities, water and ventilation. Ten elderly people died as a consequence of the poor detention conditions. Witness accounts report cases of torture and killings.[208][209][172] According to the OHCHR what happened in the school of Yahidne suggests that the Russian armed forces were using civilians to render their base immune from military attacks while also subjecting them to inhuman and degrading treatment.[210]
The BBC and The Guardian found "clear evidence" of the use of Ukrainian civilians as human shields by Russian troops in the area near Kyiv after the Russian withdrawal on 1 April, citing eyewitness accounts from inhabitants of Bucha and the nearby village of Ivankiv, and of residents of the village of Obukhovychi, near the Belarusian border, Russian troops were accused of using civilians as human shields as they came under attack by Ukrainian soldiers. Multiple witnesses reported that, on 14 March, the Russian soldiers went door-to-door, rounded about 150 civilians and locked them up in the local school, where they were used as protection for the Russian forces.[211][212]
United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities stated that it had received reports of disabled people being used as "human shields" by Russian armed forces.[213]
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that Russia's use of nuclear power plants for active military operations as tantamount to the use of human shields, citing reports that Russian forces were firing on Ukrainians from nuclear sites.[214]
Ukraine
Since the beginning of the invasion,[215] Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of using human shields, a claim which has been rejected by scholars Michael N. Schmitt, Neve Gordon, and Nicola Perugini as an attempt to shift blame for civilian deaths to Ukraine.[216][217]
On 7 March 2022, the Ukrainian armed forces reportedly occupied a care house in the village of Stara Krasnianka, near Kreminna, Luhansk region, and set up a firing position there without first evacuating the residents. On 11 March 2022, pro-Russian separatist forces attacked the care house with heavy weapons while 71 patients with disabilities and 15 members of staff were still inside. A fire broke out and approximately fifty people died. On 29 June 2022, the OHCHR published a report on the situation of human rights in Ukraine disclosing more information on the attack.[218] According to the report, Ukraine’s armed forces bear a significant responsibility for what happened because "a few days before the March 11 attack, Ukrainian soldiers took up positions inside the nursing home, effectively making the building a target."[219][220] On 4 August 2022, Amnesty International expressed concern that "Ukrainian fighting tactics endanger civilians".[221]
Sexual violence
According to experts and Ukrainian officials, there are indications that sexual violence was tolerated by the Russian command and used in a systematic way as a weapon of war.[222][223][better source needed] After the Russian withdrawal from areas north of Kyiv, there was "a mounting body of evidence" of rape, torture and summary killings by Russian forces inflicted upon Ukrainian civilians, including gang rapes committed at gunpoint and rapes committed in front of children.[224]
In March 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine stressed the heightened risks of sexual violence and the risk of under-reporting by victims in the country.[39] At the beginning of June, the Monitoring Mission received reports of 124 episodes of conflict-related sexual violence committed against women, girls, men and boys in various Ukrainian cities and regions. The alleged perpetrators were from the ranks of Russian and pro-Russian separatist armed forces in 89 cases and from civilians or unidentified individuals in territory controlled by Russian armed forces in 2 cases.[218][225]
In late March, Ukraine's Prosecutor General opened an investigation into a case of a Russian soldier who was accused of killing an unarmed civilian and then repeatedly raping the dead man's wife. The incident allegedly took place on 9 March in Shevchenkove, a village outside of Kyiv.[226] The wife related that two Russian soldiers raped her repeatedly after killing her husband and the family's dog while her four-year-old son hid in the house's boiler room. The account was first published by The Times of London.[227][228] Russian spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed the allegation as a lie.[229] Ukrainian authorities have said that numerous reports of sexual assault and rape by Russian troops have emerged since the beginning of the invasion in February 2022.[228] Ukrainian MP Maria Mezentseva said that these types of cases were underreported and that there are many other victims.[230] Meduza published an in-depth account of the same case in Bogdanivka and of other events.[231]
In another reported incident, a Russian soldier entered a school in the village of Mala Rohan where civilians were sheltering and raped a young Ukrainian woman. Human Rights Watch reported that the woman was threatened and repeatedly raped by a Russian soldier who cut her cheek, neck and hair.[232] According to witness statements, the villagers informed Russian officers in charge of the occupation of the village of the incident, who arrested the perpetrator and told them that he would be summarily executed.[233] Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that Russian soldiers had committed "numerous" rapes against Ukrainian women. According to the Sexual Violence in Armed Conflict database, sexual violence by Russian forces has been reported in three of seven years of conflict since 2014 in eastern Ukraine.[234]
A report published by The Kyiv Independent included a photo and information about one man and two or three naked women under a blanket whose bodies Russian soldiers tried to burn on the side of a road before fleeing.[235] Ukrainian officials said the women had been raped and the bodies burnt.[236] Human Rights Watch received reports of other incidents of rape in Chernihiv region and Mariupol.[232] ABC News reported in April 2022 that "rapes, shootings and a senseless execution" have occurred in the village of Berestyanka near Kyiv, noting a specific incident where a man was reportedly shot by Russian soldiers on 9 March after attempting to block them from raping his wife and a female friend.[237]
On 12 April 2022, BBC News interviewed a 50-year-old woman from a village 70 km west of Kyiv, who said that she was raped at gunpoint by a Chechen allied with the Russian Armed Forces. A 40-year-old woman was raped and killed by the same soldier, according to neighbours, leaving what BBC News described as a "disturbing crime scene". Police exhumed the 40-year-old's body the day after the visit by BBC News.[238] A report by The New York Times related that a Ukrainian woman was kidnapped by Russian soldiers, kept in a cellar as a sex slave and then executed.[239] On 3 June, the United Nations Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, Pramila Patten, told the U.N. Security Council that dozens of violent sexual attacks against women and girls have been reported to the U.N. human rights office, and many more cases likely have not been reported. She also said the country is turning into “a human trafficking crisis.”[240]
As of 5 July 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine had verified 28 cases of conflict-related sexual violence, including rape, gang rape, torture, forced public stripping, and threats of sexual violence. OHCHR reported that 11 cases, including rape and gang rape, were committed by Russian armed forces and law enforcement.[43][218] In addition, due to the limited communication, especially with areas under Russian or separatist control (such as Mariupol) and contested cities, a major barrier to verification of cases remain access, the exact number of sexual violence cases have been difficult to track or respond to in a timely manner.[241] Reports of sexual violence have been reported to Ukrainian and international authorities, law enforcement officials and media personnel as Russian troops have withdrawn.[242]
A 52-year-old woman was taken by Russian soldiers in occupied Izyum and repeatedly raped while her husband was beaten. She, along with her husband, was arrested on 1 July and was taken to a small shed which served as a torture room. The Russian soldiers put bags over their heads and threatened them, afterwards, they forcibly undressed her, groped her, and told her that they would send photos of the activity to her family members to humiliate her and them. The woman was then raped repeatedly by the commander of the unit for the next three days, while simultaneously the other Russian soldiers beat her husband in a nearby garage. The rapist would then describe the assault to the husband. She attempted suicide by hanging, but failed. Subsequently, the Russian soldiers tortured her with electric shocks and humiliated her. The Russian commander also obtained the woman's bank number and stole the funds out of her account. The woman and her husband were released on 10 July when they were dumped blindfolded by the Russians at a nearby gas station. They managed to escape to Ukrainian territory, and, after Izyum was liberated in September, returned home.[243]
In late September 2022, a panel of investigators from the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine released a statement which said that the commission has "documented cases in which children have been raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined" and labeled these as war crimes.[244] The same report also referenced children being killed and injured by Russia's indiscriminate attacks as well as forced separation from family and kidnapping.[3]
Doctors at a maternity clinic in Poltava reported cases of women who had been raped by Russian soldiers and then had window sealant injected into their sexual organs so that they could never have children.[245]
Looting
Looting is a war crime under several treaties.[246] Survivors of the Bucha massacre, talking to Human Rights Watch (HRW) following the retreat of the Russian forces, described the treatment of people in the city during the occupation: Russian soldiers went door to door, questioning people and destroying their possessions. They also said that Russian soldiers looted the town, and took clothing, jewelry, electronics, kitchen appliances and vehicles of evacuees, the deceased, and those still in the city.[247] Wall Street Journal journalist Yaroslav Trofimov reported hearing of Russian soldiers looting food and valuables during his visit to southern Ukraine.[248] The Guardian journalists visiting Trostianets after a month-long Russian occupation found evidence of "systematic looting".[249] Similarly, villagers in Berestyanka near Kyiv told ABC News that before the village returned to Ukrainian control, Russian soldiers looted clothes, household appliances and electronics from homes.[237]
Videos have been posted on Telegram, reportedly showing Russian soldiers sending stolen Ukrainian goods home through courier services in Belarus. Items visible in videos included air conditioning units, alcohol, car batteries, and bags from Epicentr K stores.[250] News aggregator Ukraine Alert posted video showing stolen goods found in an abandoned Russian armored personnel carrier, and an image reportedly showing a damaged Russian military truck carrying three washing machines. Intercepted telephone calls have also made mention of looting; a call by a Russian soldier released by the Security Service of Ukraine included the soldier telling his girlfriend: "I stole some cosmetics for you" to which the girlfriend responded "What Russian person doesn't steal anything?"[251] The Russian company CDEK postal service stopped live streaming its CCTV in early April. CDEK live-streams video from its delivery offices as a courtesy to customers to show them how busy the offices are, before customers visit the branches. This live stream was used by Lithuania-based exiled Belarusian dissident Anton Motolko as evidence of looting. Some of the items came from the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and were radioactive or contaminated with radioactivity.[252]
There were reports of bazaars set up by Russian forces in Belarus to trade in looted goods, such items as "washing machines and dishwashers, refrigerators, jewelry, cars, bicycles, motorcycles, dishes, carpets, works of art, children's toys, cosmetics". Russian soldiers sought payment in euros and US dollars, however, and due to currency restrictions this was difficult for locals.[253]
Widespread claims of looting and other damage by Russian troops to cultural institutions were raised by Ukrainian officials with a majority of the accusations coming from the areas of Mariupol and Melitopol. Ukrainian officials claimed that Russian forces seized more than 2,000 artworks and Scythian gold from various museums and moved them into the Donbas region.[254] Experts in Ukraine and elsewhere who track Russian looting and destruction of cultural heritage in Ukraine cite evidence that state-sponsored and systematic conducted by specialists began with the invasion of Crimea in 2014.[255]
Forced conscription
At the end of February, Ukrainian civilians were reportedly forced to join the pro-Russian separatist forces in the self-proclaimed Luhansk and Donetsk people's republics.[256] The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights documented cases of people forcefully taken to assembly points where they were recruited and immediately sent to the front line. They were men working in the public sector, including schools, and also people stopped on the street by representatives of local "commissariats".[256] As recalled by the OHCHR, compelling civilians to serve in armed groups affiliated with a hostile power may constitute a serious breach of the laws and customs of international humanitarian law, and it constitutes a war crime under Article 8 of the Rome Statute of the ICC. The OHCHR also expressed concern about the case of some forced conscripts who have been prosecuted by Ukrainian authorities notwithstanding their combatant immunity under the law of armed conflict.[256]
Mistreatment of prisoners of war
As of November 2022, the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) conducted 159 interviews with prisoners of war held by the Russian and Russian-affiliated forces, and 175 interviews with prisoners of war held by Ukraine.[257] The vast majority of Ukrainian prisoners reported that they had been held in dire conditions of internment and subjected to torture and ill-treatment, including beatings, threats, mock executions, electric and positional torture. Several women prisoners were threatened with sexual violence and subjected to degrading treatments and enforced nudity. The UN agency also collected information about nine possible cases of death during the "admission procedures" to the internment camps.[257] According to HRMMU report, Russian prisoners of war made credible allegations of summary executions, torture and ill-treatment by members of the Ukrainian forces. In several cases Russian prisoners were stabbed and subjected to electric torture.[257] Ukraine launched criminal investigations into allegations of mistreatment of prisoners of war.[257]
Mistreatment of Russian POWs
As of 31 July 2022, OHCHR documented 50 cases of torture and ill-treatment of prisoners of war in the power of Ukraine, including cases of beating, shooting, stabbing, positional and electric torture.[39] One prisoner of war was reportedly suffocated by Ukrainian policemen of the Kharkiv SBU during his interrogation.[39]
Torture of Russian POWs in Mala Rohan
According to a report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), members of Ukrainian armed forces shot the legs of three captured Russian soldiers and tortured Russian soldiers who were wounded.[258] The incident is likely to have occurred on the evening of 25 March 2022 in Mala Rohan, south-east of Kharkiv, in an area recently recaptured by Ukrainian troops,[259][260] and was first reported following the publication on social media accounts of a video of unknown authorship between 27 and 28 March.[261] One of the video's versions depicts a number of soldiers lying on the ground; many appear to be bleeding from leg wounds. Three prisoners are brought out of a vehicle and shot in the leg by someone off-camera.[262]
Alleged execution of captured Russian soldiers
On 6 April 2022 a video allegedly showing Ukrainian troops of the Georgian Legion executing captured Russian soldiers was posted on Telegram.[263] The video was verified by The New York Times and by Reuters.[264][265] A wounded Russian soldier was seemingly shot twice by a Ukrainian soldier while lying on the ground. Three dead Russian soldiers, including one with a head wound and hands tied behind his back, were shown near the soldier. The video appeared to have been filmed on a road north of the village of Dmytrivka, seven miles south of Bucha.[266] Ukrainian authorities promised an investigation.[267]
Disputed surrender of Russian soldiers in Makiivka
On 12 November 2022, a video appeared on pro-Ukrainian websites showing the bodies of soldiers in Russian uniforms lying on the ground in a farmyard in the Makiivka area.[268][269] On 17 November, more footage emerged, taken from the ground by a person at the scene. The video shows the Russian soldiers as they exit a building, surrender, and lay face down on the ground. Then another Russian soldier emerges from the same building and opens fire on the Ukrainian soldiers who are surprised.[268][269] An aerial video from the site documents the aftermath, with at least 12 bodies of Russian soldiers, most positioned as they were when they surrendered, bleeding from gunshot wounds to the head.[269][270]
The authenticity of the videos was verified by The New York Times.[269] Russia and Ukraine accused each other of war crimes, with Russia accusing Ukraine of "mercilessly shooting unarmed Russian P.O.W.s," and Ukraine accusing the Russians of opening fire while surrendering.[269][271] Ukraine's officials said the Prosecutor General's office would investigate the video footage as the incident may qualify as a crime of "perfidy" committed by the Russian troops in feigning surrender.[271][272] On 25 November the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said "Our Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has conducted a preliminary analysis indicating that these disturbing videos are highly likely to be authentic in what they show" and called on the Ukrainian authorities to investigate the allegations of summary executions of Russian prisoners of war "in a manner that is – and is seen to be – independent, impartial, thorough, transparent, prompt and effective."[273]
Mistreatment of Ukrainian POWs
As of 31 July 2022, OHCHR said that of 35 interviewed, 27 Ukrainian prisoners of war had been tortured by Russian and pro-Russian armed forces or policemen. Victims reported being punched, kicked, beaten with police batons and wooden hammers, electrocuted, threatened with execution or sexual violence, and shot in the legs.[39] OHCHR had also received information about the deaths of two Ukrainian prisoners as a result of torture, one beaten and electrocuted on 9 May at the Melitopol airfield, the other beat to death at the Volnovakha penal colony near Olenivka, Donetsk region, on 17 April.[39]
Execution of surrendering Ukrainian soldiers
At an Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council, US ambassador-at-large for global criminal justice Beth Van Schaack said that US authorities have evidence that surrendering Ukrainian soldiers were executed by the Russian army in Donetsk.[274] A Ukrainian soldier shown among prisoners in a Russian video on 20 April, was confirmed dead days later.[275]
Eyewitness accounts and a security camera video show that on 4 March Russian paratroopers executed at least eight Ukrainian prisoners of war in Bucha. The victims were local inhabitants joined the defense forces shortly before they were killed.[276]
Torture and castration of Ukrainian prisoners
In June 2023 The Times reported on two former Ukrainian soldiers who had been tortured by Russians while in captivity and castrated with a knife, before being freed in a prisoner of war swap. A psychologist who was treating the men reported that she had heard of many other similar cases from her colleagues.[245]
Illegal trials of Ukrainian prisoners
Russia has prosecuted multiple Ukrainian prisoners for being members of the Azov Brigade, which it considers a terrorist organisation. Human Rights Watch noted that as the defendants' alleged actions were not illegal in the time and place they were committed, such prosecutions violated the Third Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, as they appeared to be retaliation against the prisoners for their participation in the defence of Ukraine.[277]
Death sentence against foreign soldiers serving in the Ukrainian armed forces
Following a trial by the Supreme Court of the Donetsk People's Republic, three foreign-born members of the Ukrainian armed forces, Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner, and Brahim Saadoun were declared mercenaries and sentenced to execution by firing squad.[278] Aslin and Pinner, originally from England, had been serving in the Ukrainian military since 2018,[279] while Saadoun had come in 2019 from Morocco to study in Kyiv,[280] having enlisted in November 2021.[281] The ruling was described as illegal because the defendants qualify as prisoners of war under the Geneva Conventions and have not been accused of committing any war crimes.[282]
On 10 June 2022 the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned the death sentences and the trial. A spokesperson of the organisation declared that "such trials against prisoners of war amount to a war crime",[283] and highlighted that according to the chief command of Ukraine, all the defendants were part of the Ukrainian armed forces and therefore should not have been considered mercenaries. The OHCHR spokesperson also expressed concern about procedural fairness, stating that "since 2015, we have observed that the so-called judiciary within these self-contained republics has not complied with essential fair trial guarantees, such as public hearings, independence, impartiality of the courts and the right not to be compelled to testify".[283]
The International Bar Association issued a statement saying "that any implementation of the ‘pronounced’ death penalty will be an obvious case of plain murder of Aiden Aslin, Shaun Pinner and Brahim Saaudun and deemed an international war crime. Any perpetrators (anyone engaged in the so-called DPR ‘court’ and anyone who conspired to execute this decision) will be regarded as war criminals", also pointing out that neither Russian nor Ukrainian law allows the death penalty.[284]
On 12 June, Donetsk People's Republic leader Denis Pushilin reiterated that the separatists did not see the trio as prisoners of war, but rather as people who came to Ukraine to kill civilians for money, adding that he saw no reason to modify or mitigate the sentences.[285] Russian State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin accused the trio of fascism, reiterating that they deserved the death penalty. He added that the Ukrainian armed forces were committing crimes against humanity and were being controlled by a neo-Nazi regime in Kyiv.[286]
On 17 June, the European Court of Human Rights issued an emergency stay of Saadoun Brahim's execution. It stressed that Russia was still obliged to follow the court's rulings.[287][288] Earlier in June, the Russian State Duma passed a law to end the jurisdiction of the court in Russia, but it had not yet been signed into law.[289]
On 8 July the DPR lifted a moratorium on the death penalty.[290] On 21 September five British citizens held by pro-Russian separatists were released, including those sentenced to death,[291] and also the Moroccan citizen Saadoun Brahim was freed after a prisoner exchange between Ukraine and Russia.[292]
Execution of Oleksandr Matsievskyi
In early March 2023 a video emerged showing the execution of an unarmed Ukrainian POW who is murdered after he says "Glory to Ukraine", while smoking a cigarette.[293] The Russian officer in charge of the prisoner (off camera) shouts "Die Bitch!" and fires multiple rounds from a machine gun into him. The President of Ukraine's office called the execution a "brutal murder".[293]
Torture of captured Ukrainian soldiers
On 22 July 2022, Human Rights Watch documented the torture of three Ukrainian prisoners of war, members of the Territorial Defense Forces, and the death of two of them in the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Oblasts.[181]
Castration and murder of a Ukrainian POW in Pryvillia
On 28 July 2022, a video was posted on Russian social media which shows a Russian soldier castrating a Ukrainian prisoner of war, who is tied up and gagged, with a box cutter.[294] On the next day, a continuation video was posted with possibly the same soldiers where they taped the POW's mouth with black tape, placed his head in front of his cut genitals, and shot him in the head. After that, the Russian soldiers started grabbing the POW's corpse with ropes connected to his legs.[295][296]
On 5 August, the Bellingcat group reported that the videos were geolocated to the Pryvillia Sanatorium, located in Pryvillia, Luhansk Oblast, and interviewed the apparent perpetrator by telephone.[297] A white car marked with a Z – a designation marking Russian military vehicles and a militarist symbol used in Russian propaganda – can also be seen in the video; the same car can also be seen in earlier, official videos released by Russian channels, of the Akhmat fighters at the Azot plant during the Russian capture of Sieverodonetsk.[297] Pryvillia had been captured and occupied by Russians since early July.[298] Bellingcat identified the soldiers involved, including the main perpetrator (an inhabitant of Tuva), who wore a distinctive wide brimmed black hat, as members of the Akhmat unit, a Chechen Kadyrovite paramilitary formation fighting for the Russians in the war in Ukraine. The investigation also indicated that the video contained no evidence of tampering or editing.[297][299]
Beheading and mutilations
In April 2023, two videos surfaced which appeared to show beheaded and mutilated Ukrainian soldiers.[300] One video purportedly filmed by Wagner Group mercenaries showed the bodies of two Ukrainian soldiers next to a destroyed military vehicle, their heads and hands missing, with a voice commenting in Russian in the background.[301] The second video appeared to show Russian soldiers decapitating a Ukrainian prisoner of war using a knife. The U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine said that “Regrettably, this is not an isolated incident.”[302]
Genocide
Several national parliaments, including those of Ukraine,[303] Canada, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, and Ireland[304] declared that the invasion was genocide. Genocide scholars like Eugene Finkel,[305][306] Timothy D. Snyder,[307] Norman M. Naimark[308] and Gregory Stanton,[309] and legal experts Otto Luchterhandt[310] and Zakhar Tropin[311] said that the definition required certain acts[312] and also genocidal intent, to establish genocide. A report by 30 scholars concluded that Russia is guilty of inciting genocide in Ukraine by committing acts prohibited by the Genocide Convention. The report further stated that a serious risk of more genocide exists, triggering an obligation for foreign parties to take action.[313][314]
National legal proceedings
Ukraine
The Ukrainian foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba stated on 25 February that Russia was committing war crimes, and that the ministry and the Prosecutor General of Ukraine were collecting evidence on events including attacks on kindergartens and orphanages, which would be "immediately transfer[red]" to the ICC.[315] On 30 March, Ukraine's chief prosecutor announced that she was building 2,500 war crimes cases against the Russian invasion.[316] On 13 May the first war crimes trial began in Kyiv, of a Russian soldier who was ordered to shoot an unarmed civilian.[317] The soldier, Vadim Shishimarin, soon pleaded guilty to this crime.[318][319] Shortly after Shishimarin pleaded guilty, two other low-ranked Russian soldiers, Alexander Bobikin and Alexander Ivanov, were tried on war crimes charges for firing missiles at a residential tower block in Kharkiv.[320] They also pleaded guilty.[321]
Several international legal teams were formed to support the Ukrainian prosecutors.[322][323][324]
- EU Joint Investigation Team
In the aftermath of the Bucha massacre, the EU established a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) with Ukraine to investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity. Within the framework of the Joint Investigation Team, a pool of investigators and legal experts by Eurojust and Europol is made available for providing assistance to Ukrainian prosecutors.[322] On 6 April 2022, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that the U.S. Department of Justice was assisting Eurojust and Europol prosecutors with their investigation, and that the Justice and State Departments were also making efforts to support the Ukrainian prosecutor.[325]
In April 2023, the Eurojust JIT agreed to add the crime of genocide to their war crimes investigation in Ukraine.[326][327]
- Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine
In late March 2022, the Task Force on Accountability for Crimes Committed in Ukraine, a pro bono international group of lawyers, was created to help Ukrainian prosecutors coordinate legal cases for war crimes and other crimes related to the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[323][316][324]
- Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group
On 25 May 2022, the EU, US, and the UK announced the creation of the Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group (ACA) to help coordinate their investigations and to support the War Crimes Units of the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine (OPG).[324]
Russia
As of February 2023, Russia claimed to have charged 680 Ukrainians with war crimes, including 118 soldiers and Defence Ministry officials.[328] The Investigative Committee of Russia told TASS that it had opened over two thousand criminal cases since the start of the Russo–Ukrainian War in 2014, including for crimes committed during the invasion of Ukraine.[329] The first criminal case against a Ukrainian serviceman was that of Anton Cherednik, a Marine accused of murder, terrorism and cruel treatment of civilians.[328] Cherednik was sentenced to nineteen years' imprisonment in November 2023; at the time of his sentencing, cases were reportedly pending against 42 other Ukrainian prisoners.[330]
- Occupied territories
The Kyiv Post reported in November 2023 that Russian-controlled courts in occupied areas of Ukraine had convicted multiple Ukrainian soldiers of war crimes.[331]
Other countries
Several states, including Estonia, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden, announced in March and April 2022 that they would conduct investigations of war crimes in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine under the universal jurisdiction principle of international humanitarian law.[332]
On 5 December 2023, US Attorney-General Merrick B. Garland announced war crime charges against four Russian-affiliated military personnel accused of the abduction and torture of an American citizen in Ukraine: Russian military commanders Suren Seiranovich Mkrtchyan and Dmitry Budnik and two lower-ranking officers identified as Valeri and Nazar (both last names unknown).[333]
International legal proceedings
International courts that have jurisdiction over cases originating from the Russian invasion of Ukraine include the International Criminal Court, the International Court of Justice and the European Court of Human Rights.[334]
Because of the backload of cases in Ukrainian courts, which as of June 2022 have more than 15,000 pending cases, and the number of international bodies and foreign countries cooperating in the investigations of war crimes in Ukraine, there were calls to create a special hybrid court to centralize domestic and international efforts.[335] In May, the idea of establishing a special international tribunal was formally endorsed by a group of members of the European Parliament.[335] The establishment of a special tribunal within the framework of the United Nations could be hampered by Russia's position as a permanent member of the Security Council and by the difficulty of gathering the necessary two-thirds majority in the General Assembly.[335]
International Criminal Court
On 25 February 2022, ICC Prosecutor Karim Ahmad Khan stated that the ICC could "exercise its jurisdiction and investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within Ukraine."[338] Khan stated on 28 February that he would launch a full ICC investigation and that he had requested his team to "explore all evidence preservation opportunities". He stated that it would be faster to officially open the investigation if an ICC member state referred the case for investigation. Lithuanian prime minister Ingrida Simonyte stated on the same day that Lithuania had requested that the ICC investigation be opened.[339]
On 2 March 2022, 39 states had already referred the situation in Ukraine to the ICC Prosecutor, who could then open an investigation into past and present allegations of war crimes, crimes against humanity or genocide committed in Ukraine by any person from 21 November 2013 onwards.[340][341] On 11 March two additional referrals were submitted to the ICC Prosecutor, and the Prosecutor declared that investigations would begin.[342] The Prosecutor's office set up an online method for people with evidence to initiate contact with investigators,[342] and a team of investigators, lawyers and other professionals was sent to Ukraine to begin collecting evidence.[7][342]
Neither Ukraine nor Russia is parties to the Rome Statute, the legal basis of the ICC. The ICC has jurisdiction to investigate because Ukraine signed two declarations consenting to ICC jurisdiction over crimes committed in Ukraine from 21 November 2013 onwards.[8][343][344] Articles 28(a) and 28(b) of the Rome Statute define the relation between command responsibility and superior responsibility of the chain of command structures of the armed forces involved.[345]
As of 10 June, the ICC investigation had dispatched more than 40 investigators, the largest effort ever in ICC history, and there are calls to create a special court or international tribunal to handle the casework.[335]
In mid-June, according to the Dutch General Intelligence and Security Service, an alleged GRU officer, who was a student of prominent genocide professor Eugene Finkel, attempted to gain entry into the Netherlands under an assumed identity. The purpose was to infiltrate the ICC via an internship, which would have given him to access and potentially influence the pending criminal war crimes case.[346][347]
As of April 2024, the ICC has issued arrest warrants for four Russian suspects. President Putin and Maria Lvova-Belova were indicted in March 2023 for their involvement in the abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children,[12] and Russian military officials Viktor Sokolov and Sergey Kobylash were indicted in 2024 for ordering missile strikes against civilian infrastructure.[348]
International Court of Justice
On 27 February, Ukraine filed a petition with the International Court of Justice arguing that Russia violated the Genocide Convention using an unsubstantiated accusation of genocide in order to justify its aggression against Ukraine.[349][350]
On 1 March, the ICJ officially called on Russia to "act in such a way" that would make it possible for a decision on provisional measures to become effective.[351] Initial hearings in the case took place on 7 March 2022 at Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands—the seat of the court—to determine Ukraine's entitlement to provisional relief.[352] The Russian delegation did not appear for these proceedings,[353] but submitted a written statement.[354]
On 16 March 2022, the court ruled 13–2 that Russia must "immediately suspend the military operations" it commenced on 24 February 2022 in Ukraine,[355] with Vice-president Kirill Gevorgian of Russia and Judge Xue Hanqin of China dissenting.[356] The court also unanimously called for "[b]oth Parties [to] refrain from any action which might aggravate or extend the dispute before the Court or make it more difficult to resolve.[355]
Proposed specialised court for the crime of aggression
The Council of Europe called for the establishment of an international criminal tribunal to "investigate and prosecute the crime of aggression" committed by "the political and military leadership of the Russian Federation."[357] Under the Council of Europe's proposal, the tribunal should be located in Strasbourg, "apply the definition of the crime of aggression" established in customary international law and "have the power to issue international arrest warrants and not be limited by State immunity or the immunity of heads of State and government and other State officials."[357] Similarly, other international bodies such as the European Commission and the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and several governments, including the Government of Ukraine,[358] supported the establishment of a specialised court to try the crime of aggression.
In November 2022 the NATO Parliamentary Assembly designated the Russian Federation as a terrorist organization and called upon the international community to "take collective action towards the establishment of an international tribunal to prosecute the crime of aggression committed by Russia with its war against Ukraine."[359][360] In November 2022 the European Commission said that the European Union would work to establish a specialised court to investigate and prosecute Russia for the crime of aggression.[361]
Other international organisations
International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine
On 4 March 2022, the United Nations Human Rights Council voted 32 to 3, with 13 abstentions to create the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, an independent international committee of three human rights experts with a mandate to investigate violations of human rights and of international humanitarian law in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.[362][363] On 23 September 2022, the Commission confirmed violations of human rights by Russian forces,[364] with instances of indiscriminate killing, sexual violence against children, and torture in dozens of locations in Ukraine. They said that explosive weapons with wide-area effects had caused immense harm and suffering to civilians in populated areas, and confirmed victims had been found with visible signs of execution. They documented cases of children raped, tortured, and unlawfully confined. Children were also killed and injured in indiscriminate attacks with explosive weapons[365]
UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), whose monitoring of human rights violations by all parties in Ukraine started in 2014,[366] continued its monitoring during the 2022 Russian invasion, retaining 60 monitors in Ukraine.[367] On 30 March 2022, HRMMU had recorded 24 "credible allegations" of Russian use of cluster munitions and 77 incidents of damage to medical facilities during the invasion. Michelle Bachelet stated, "The massive destruction of civilian objects and the high number of civilian casualties strongly indicate that the fundamental principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution have not been sufficiently adhered to."[367]
Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe
A report released by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) on 12 April 2022 stated that while a detailed assessment of most allegations had not been possible, the mission had found clear patterns of war crimes by the Russian forces.[150] According to the OSCE Report, had the Russian army refrained from indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks, the number of civilians casualties would have remained much lower and fewer houses, hospitals, schools and cultural properties would have been damaged or destroyed.[150] The Report denounced the violation of international humanitarian law on military occupation and the violation of international human rights law (right to life, prohibition of torture and other inhuman and degrading treatment and punishment) mostly in the areas under the direct or indirect control of Russia.[150]
International reactions
During House of Commons commentary in February 2022, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that "anyone who sends a Russian into battle to kill innocent Ukrainians" could face charges. He remarked in addition, "Putin will stand condemned in the eyes of the world and of history."[368]
On 16 March, U.S. President Joe Biden called Putin a war criminal. On 23 March, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced that "based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia's forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine."[369] A week later the US State Department issued a formal assessment that Russia has committed war crimes.[370] On 12 April 2022, Biden described Russia's war crimes in Ukraine as constituting genocide.[371] He added that Putin "is trying to wipe out the idea of being able to be Ukrainian".[372]
On 3 April 2022, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described abuses by Russian forces in Ukrainian towns, particularly Bucha, as possible war crimes.[373] On 7 April, French President Emmanuel Macron said the killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were "very probably war crimes."[374]
The United Nations General Assembly voted on 7 April 2022 to suspend Russia from the United Nations Human Rights Council over "gross and systematic violations and abuses of human rights".[9]
See also
- Atrocity crimes during the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Casualties of the Russo-Ukrainian War
- Disinformation in the Russian invasion of Ukraine#Denial of Russian war crimes
- Use of incendiary weapons in the Russo-Ukrainian war
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Further reading
- Clements-Hunt, Aaron (7 June 2022). "Russia's Campaign of Urbicide in Ukraine". New Lines Institute. Retrieved 12 August 2022.
External links
- Guide to investigating war crimes at Global Investigative Journalism Network by investigative journalist Manisha Ganguly
- Contact websites for those providing evidence
- Contact pathway of the Office of the Prosecutor Archived 14 March 2022 at the Wayback Machine of the International Criminal Court
- Ukrainian government website Archived 5 July 2022 at the Wayback Machine for collecting evidence on war crimes committed by Russian forces
- Map of likely war crimes in Ukraine by Bellingcat
- War Crimes Watch Ukraine, a collaboration between the Associated Press and Frontline
- UN investigator outlines evidence of Russian war crimes in liberated areas of Ukraine, from PBS NewsHour (2022-09-28)
- Videos
- Video of drone flyover of apartment buildings being bombed in Mariupol. News.com.au, The News Room, 15 March 2022
- Video of tanks firing repeatedly on apartment buildings in Mariupol, civilians in hospital, woman crying for dead children. AP News, 12 March 2022
- Video of aftermath, including injured pregnant woman being carried, after Russian airstrike on hospital in Mariupol, Ukraine. Sky News, 9 March 2022
- CBS News video about pattern of rape by Russian soldiers against Ukrainian women during the invasion