UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine: Russian drone strikes in Kherson constitute crimes against humanity
The Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, an independent group authorized by the United Nations’ Human Rights Council, tasked with examining all reported breaches and misuses of human rights, as well as infringements of international humanitarian law, specifically focusing on the context of Russia’s military action and aggression against Ukraine, has highlighted in a new Report that the Russian army has been using drones to kill civilians committing crimes against humanity.
Since June 2024 in Kherson province, Russian armed forces have conducted systematic drone attacks against the civilian population. These attacks exhibited a consistent structure and identical methodology, indicating they were premeditated, coordinated, and systematically executed as part of a coordinated state policy. The Commission analyzed around 300 public video recordings of strikes, along with more than 600 written messages on Telegram groups. Where feasible, they worked to identify those harmed in these incidents. The consequences of the drone attacks in Kherson and other 16 places under Ukrainian control have been devastating: almost 150 civilian people were killed and many more were injured. Victims included men, women, and children, targeted while carrying out their daily activities. Particularly alarming was the deliberate targeting of ambulances, which have special protection under international law, preventing them from reaching previously attacked victims.
The Commission consists of three members: Erik Møse (Chair), Pablo de Greiff and Vrinda Grover. The Commissioners were appointed by the President of the UN Human Rights Council. In its report, it stated that Russian armed forces have carried out the war crime of conducting purposely attacks against civilians in Kherson Province. Furthermore, the posting of videos showing civilians being killed and injured has been classified as the war crime of outrages upon personal dignity. The civilian population in the affected areas now lives in terror, scared of being targeted every time they venture outside.
Moreover, many people are being forced to leave because of the power and force of these attacks, the destruction of houses and basic infrastructures. Therefore, the Commission concluded that the Russian army could have committed the crime against humanity of forcible transfer of population, as part of a synchronised state policy aimed at forcing the population of Kherson Province to leave the area.