Russian attack near Ukraine humanitarian aid center kills 5, wounds 11 News
State Emergency Services of Ukraine
Russian attack near Ukraine humanitarian aid center kills 5, wounds 11

A Russian airstrike on Sunday hit a building in Zaporizhzhia, southeast Ukraine, that was next to a humanitarian aid center. The building collapsed on the center and trapped at least 15 people under the rubble. Five people died and 11 were injured as a result of the strike.

Regional police said they are continuing search-and-rescue efforts to locate any additional victims. They also announced they are collecting evidence of a possible war crime. Police registered the event with Ukraine’s Pre-Judicial Investigatory Bureau. The Bureau will determine if it violates Article 438 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code, which concerns violations of the rules of warfare.

Anton Gerashchenko, advisor to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, reacted to the tragedy on Twitter: “First Russia creates a humanitarian catastrophe in that region, then attacks people who rely on humanitarian aid to survive.”

Zaporizhzhia Oblast has seen major skirmishes in recent weeks during Ukraine’s counteroffensive against the Russian invasion. According to the regional military administration, the attack was one of 36 recent strikes by Russia in the region. Ukraine claims that many of these have targeted residential areas and civilian infrastructure. If true, these would constitute war crimes under the Rome Statute and the Geneva Conventions.

JURIST could not find comments from Russian officials about the alleged attacks on civilians.

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