UN experts believe that Russian drone attacks on Ukraine are « crimes against humanity » – Liberation
The Russian army committed « Crimes against humanity » and « war crimes » During his drone attacks against civilians in the Ukrainian region of Kherson, according to a UN expert investigation report published this Wednesday, May 28. « The Russian armed forces have committed crimes against humanity, including murders, and war crimes, attacking civilians, during several months of drone attacks targeting civilians on the right bank of the DNIEPR, in the province of Kherson »concluded the investigation, conducted by the United Nations International Independent Inquiry Commission on Ukraine.
This expert commission, created by the Human Rights Council in the wake of the large -scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, accuses the Russian armed forces of hitting « Systematically » civilians. The conclusions of the survey are particularly topical.
In recent days Moscow has launched the most massive air attacks since the start of the invasion with hundreds of drones – and ballistic missiles – launched against Ukrainian urban centers, including Kyiv, the capital.
The report focuses on the Kherson region, in the south of the country, where « These acts have been committed with the main aim of sowing terror among the civilian population, in violation of international humanitarian law ». Even if these experts mandated by the United Nations do not speak on behalf of the organization, the accusations as categorical of criminal atrocities are rare, in the absence of national or international judicial decision. « The attacks continue when the report is published »note the experts.
Their investigation revealed that, since last July, Russian military drone operators on the DNIEPR left bank had « Systematically » struck civilians and « Ambulances targeted ». The commission investigated the attacks against Kherson and in 16 other localities, by geolocating videos and consulting open sources. Nearly 150 civilians were killed and hundreds were injured, the report said, citing official sources.
The Russians have used civilian drones, available in large quantities, diverted from their function by arming them with large bombs, and also drones exploding with impact. « Several Telegram Russian channels linked to responsible military units, some of which have thousands of subscribers, have broadcast hundreds of videos of attacks from the original flows of drones »note the report.
The images « No doubt about their intention to target civilians »which constitutes a « War crime ». The recurrence of such attacks for more than ten months, against multiple civil targets in a large area, « Demonstrates that they are generalized, systematic and planned » and therefore constitutive of « Crimes against humanity ».
The publication of videos itself is a « War crime of the dignity of the person ». According to the Commission, by forcing thousands of people to flee, officials may also have been guilty of « Crime against humanity of forced population transfer ».
The commission, made up of three members, is chaired by the Norwegian judge Erik Moseis not recognized by Moscow and she has not obtained any assistance from the Russian authorities. Moscow did not answer any of his questions about drone attacks.
In its recommendations, the Commission urges Russia to immediately put an end to drone attacks against civilians and civilian goods, as well as acts that sow terror among civilians and lead to forced trips. The Kremlin should also ensure that all the authors of such crimes are held responsible, in accordance with international standards.
The Commission hoped that the Ukrainian authorities would ensure that the victims receive treatment and support.
