The Russian military is reportedly positioning more strategic assets near civilian areas in order to shield them from potential long-range missile attacks by Ukraine. This move follows a recent incident where a US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) killed four people on a beach in Sevastopol, prompting Moscow to take preventive measures.
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Western allies have been supporting Ukraine with weapons to target Russia deeply, leading Russian forces to use tactics like placing military targets near critical infrastructure like the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and schools.
This strategy of using civilian areas as shields violates international humanitarian law, which prohibits military assets from being placed near densely populated areas. The ISW report highlights the potential dangers and ethical concerns of such tactics employed by the Russian military.
A recent attack involving five ATACMS missiles in occupied Crimea resulted in four missiles being intercepted and one exploding over the city, injuring over 20 civilians with cluster warheads. Russian authorities blamed the US for the attack, citing the supply of cluster munitions to the missile as the reason behind the incident.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which began in February 2022, has seen allegations of multiple war crimes committed by Russian forces, including assassinations and unlawful attacks on civilian targets. In August 2023, a bombing in the Kherson region resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a newborn baby, further highlighting the brutality of the Russian military’s actions.
Additionally, reports have surfaced of Russian troops using chemical weapons in Ukraine in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, adding to the list of alleged violations and atrocities committed during the conflict. These actions have raised international concern and condemnation, prompting calls for accountability and justice for the victims of these war crimes.
Overall, the ISW report sheds light on the escalating tensions and human rights violations in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, as well as the need for greater scrutiny and accountability for the actions of all parties involved to prevent further civilian casualties and violations of international law.
Article Source
https://www.thedefensepost.com/2024/06/25/russia-assets-civilians-strikes/