“Millions of people are falling into extreme hardship and poor living conditions because of these strikes,” he said.
“Overall, this poses serious problems under international humanitarian law, which requires a specific and direct military advantage for each object attacked.”
Line up casualties
According to the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), on Wednesday, subsequent missile strikes on the city and Kyiv region killed at least eight civilians, including a child girls and injured about 45 others, including 7 children.
A two-day-old boy was killed and two doctors injured by a rocket attack on a hospital in Vilniansk, in the Zaporizhzhia region.
Since Russia began a series of missile and ammunition attacks across the country on October 10, HRMMU has verified that at least 77 civilians were killed and 272 injured.
Allegations of both sides
In addition to recording civilian casualties, the Observation Mission examined videos and other information surrounding the alleged summary executions.
“Since Russia began its armed assault on Ukraine in February, there have been numerous allegations that both sides have collectively executed prisoners of war and others who are no longer alive,” said Türk. join the fight”.
“Combatants, including soldiers who have surrendered, are protected under international humanitarian law and their immediate execution constitutes a war crime,” he reminded.
‘Forensic investigation’ needed
Among a number of videos that have surfaced on social media over the past two weeks are video clips from the village of Makiivka, showing the apparent surrender of Russian forces or armed groups affiliated with Russia; a man opened fire on Ukrainian soldiers; and then the corpses of about 12 Russian soldiers.
“Our monitoring mission in Ukraine has conducted preliminary analysis indicating that these disturbing videos are very likely to be authentic in what they represent. The actual circumstances of the entire chain of events must be investigated to the fullest extent possible and those responsible should be held accountable,” the senior UN official said.
“The analysis that the Delegation has performed to date highlights the need for detailed and independent forensic investigations to help determine exactly what happened.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have opened a criminal investigation into the events.
“It is essential that all allegations of expedited execution be fully investigated in a manner that is – and is considered to be – independent, impartial, thorough, transparent, prompt and effective,” said Mr Türk. “.
Wage war
The UN Human Rights chief also called on parties to “give clear instructions” to refrain from retaliation and retaliation against any prisoners of war and to ensure that these directives are fully complied with.
“The rules governing armed conflict set forth in the Geneva Convention require this. Order your military to treat those who surrender and those they capture humanely.”
He characterized the devastating impact of missile attacks by Russian forces and the alleged mass executions of prisoners of war as showing “all too clearly the cost to intolerable human suffering of this armed conflict and any other armed conflict”.
“They are a stark reminder of why international law exists and why international law must be fully observed to prevent falling into complete inhumanity and denial of government.” the idea of our human rights”, emphasized the High Commissioner.
