Russia-Ukraine war: Kyiv ‘endangering civilians’ by using schools and hospitals as military bases
Amnesty International has accused the Ukrainian army of endangering civilians and violating humanitarian law in their fight against Russian invaders.
The human rights NGO said Ukrainian forces in Kharkiv, Donbas and Mykolaiv had in some cases established bases and operated weapons systems in populated residential areas, including in schools and hospitals.
The group said such tactics violate international humanitarian law as they turn civilians into targets for Russian strikes.
“We have documented a pattern of Ukrainian forces putting civilians at risk and violating the laws of war when they operate in populated areas,” Agnes Callamard, Amnesty International’s Secretary General, said.
While the group said the practices “do not in any way justify indiscriminate Russian attacks”, Dr Callamard added: “Being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from respecting international humanitarian law.”
Amnesty claimed that it was not aware that the Ukrainian military who located themselves in civilian structures buildings had asked or assisted civilians to evacuate, which it said was a “failure to take all feasible precautions to protect civilians”.