Increasing Evidence of 'War Crimes by Russia'; UN Inspectors Report from Ukraine

A report released on Monday by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine shows 'increasing evidence of war crimes' and crimes against humanity committed by Russia in its aggression against Ukraine. According to Voice of America, this report, presented to the 'UN Human Rights Council', depicts a picture of 'widespread human rights violations', abuse of civilians, and extensive and indiscriminate destruction of essential infrastructure. At the same time, Eric Møse, the head of the UN Commission of Inquiry, stated: 'The Commission is concerned about the ongoing evidence of war crimes by the Russian armed forces in Ukraine.' He continued: 'In the second year of the war, the people of Ukraine continue to cope with casualties and injuries, massive destruction, suffering, and psychological harm from it, with thousands killed and injured, and millions displaced internally or abroad.' In response, Russia, which has consistently denied targeting civilians, 'sanctioned' the UN Commission's inquiry report and was unwilling to respond to these accusations at the Human Rights Council. The latest statistics from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights indicate that the number of civilian casualties has reached 9,614 dead and 17,535 injured since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Additionally, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees reports that over five million people have been displaced within Ukraine, and more than six million others have fled to other countries. The UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine has visited Ukraine more than ten times since its establishment in March 2022, collecting information from government officials and listening to the heartbreaking testimonies of victims and witnesses of abuse. Andriy Kostin, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, addressed this process and condemned 'the massive crimes committed by Russia during its aggressive war against Ukraine.' The Prosecutor General also spoke about the harm inflicted on over 19,000 Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred and deported by Russian leadership from their country. Andriy Kostin stated: 'The Ukrainian citizenship of these Ukrainian children is being stripped, and they are being placed for adoption in Russian families. This is a war crime and a crime against humanity that could, under the 1948 Genocide Convention, amount to genocide.'