Human Rights Watch reported on August 16, 2022 that Russian forces had carried out repeated unlawful attacks in Kharkiv and nearby Derhachi, killing and injuring civilians and damaging homes and healthcare facilities.
Researchers documented eight incidents that killed 12 civilians, wounded 26 and damaged at least five hospital buildings. They inspected attack sites between May 24 and June 28 and interviewed 28 people, including witnesses, hospital staff, emergency-service representatives and prosecutors.
HRW found no evident military objective near seven of the documented incidents. In the remaining case, a possible small military presence nearby did not remove a hospital's special protection. The organisation assessed the attacks as unlawfully indiscriminate, including three involving cluster munitions.
Cluster munitions are banned for states party to the 2008 Convention on Cluster Munitions. Russia and Ukraine were not parties; HRW urged both to join. Irrespective of treaty membership, the laws of war prohibit indiscriminate attacks.
HRW called for national and international prosecutors to investigate and hold those responsible to account. Its report presented investigative findings and legal assessments, not a final judicial determination of individual criminal responsibility.
Read more at Human Rights Watch.
