The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine investigated the events of February-March in the territories of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv, and Sumy regions of Ukraine liberated from Russian troops and concluded that a lot of war crimes, as well as violations of human rights and international humanitarian law were committed there by Russian soldiers. This was reported by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on October 18, 2022.
Source: Chair of the UN Commission Erik Mose
“Russian armed forces are responsible for the vast majority of the violations identified, including war crimes,” noted UN Commission.
The commission stated the indisputable necessity of prosecution, given the seriousness of the war crimes committed.
“The impact of these violations on the civilian population in Ukraine is immense. The loss of lives is in the thousands. The destruction of infrastructure is devastating,” said Chair of the Commission Erik Mose.
In addition, it was recorded that during the Russian occupation of the territories of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Sumy regions, the Russians carried out mass executions and forced deportations, illegally imprisoned people, used torture and ill-treatment of them, raped and resorted to other sexual violence. The UN found out that sometimes children were also witnesses to the crimes of Russian troops.
“These violations continue to have a devastating effect on civilians. Significantly, victims emphasized the essential role of justice and accountability. Family members who lost loved ones have expressed a strong need for justice to be done,” reported UN Commission.
The commission explained that they visited 27 settlements and interviewed 191 witnesses and victims. Sites of destruction, burials, places of imprisonment and torture, and a large number of documents and reports were inspected.
See also: Ukraine’s police exhumed the bodies of 5 children killed by Russian troops in the Donetsk region
