The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Office said on Friday that it had received “credible reports” of several cases of Russian forces using cluster munitions in populated areas of Ukraine. The entity said that the indiscriminate use of such artifacts could constitute war crimes.
The UN agency has dozens of monitors in the country and more are expected to arrive once a commission established by the Geneva-based Human Rights Council to investigate possible war crimes is operational.
There have still been at least 549 confirmed civilian deaths in Ukraine since the Russian invasion that began on February 24, although it says the real number is likely higher.
“Due to its far-reaching effects, the use of cluster munitions in populated areas is incompatible with the principles of international humanitarian law governing the conduct of hostilities,” said spokeswoman Liz Throssell.
“We remind the Russian authorities that directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as so-called area bombing of towns and villages and other forms of indiscriminate attacks, are prohibited under international law and may constitute war crimes.”
Cluster bombs explode in midair, scattering dozens or even hundreds of smaller “bombs” over a wide area. Russia is not party to a 2008 convention banning cluster munitions, although it is bound by international humanitarian law, particularly the ban on indiscriminate attacks.
Source: CNN Brasil
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