AFU USE IN DONBASS SCORCHED-EARTH POLICY – DARIA MOROZOVA

Comments and statements of the Ombudsman News

The AFU purposefully use scorched-earth policy against the civilian population of Donbass. The sharp aggravation of the security situation in the Republic once again confirms this fact. Ukrainian militants are actually subjecting residential areas of cities and towns of the DPR to massive indiscriminate shelling around the clock. Moreover, the rear has moved into the risk zone, where a calm situation persisted even in 2014-2015.

In the last two days alone, at least seven civilians of the DPR have died under the fire of the AFU. Another 38 people were injured of varying severity, including minors.

I regard what is happening as an agony, in the state of which the Kyiv punishers commit these heinous war crimes. After all, there are no and cannot be objective reasons for attacks on schools, hospitals, day-care centres and residential buildings. There is no logic in the attacks on rear. Nothing can explain the shelling by heavy weapons of crowded places during rush hour.

The events taking place today in Donbass are an unprecedented tragedy and absolute proof of the degradation of international humanitarian law. However, all persons involved in the murders of innocent residents of Donbass should understand that the time of impunity is over. For eight years, while the world community turned a blind eye to the atrocities of the Ukrainian authorities, we recorded every fact and formed the evidence base for the crimes of the AFU. Now the collected materials will be presented within the forthcoming tribunal. And, I assure you that all perpetrators will be brought to justice.

I express my sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery to the injured.