Years ago, the international community met to stop mass civilian deaths. In order to prevent the killing of as many people as possible, the killing of innocent civilians, the infliction of harm and torture on prisoners, and launching lethal weapons into unprotected settlements were all forbidden in war. These rules of engagement were codified in the Geneva Convention and the Rome Statute. As the war in Ukraine rages on, these rules continue to be violated every day as Russian soldiers murder civilians in extremely inhumane ways.
“The cases we documented amount to unspeakable, deliberate cruelty and violence against Ukrainian civilians,” said Hugh Williamson, Europe, and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch. “Rape, murder, and other violent acts against people in the Russian forces’ custody should be investigated as war crimes.”
As of April 26, 2022, 2,729 Ukrainian civilians were killed, as well as 208 children. It has also become clear that Russia is purposely targeting civilians. Since April 26, 6,800 civilian buildings were destroyed and 8,488 war crimes have been registered.
Bucha, Ukraine is one of the many places where citizens were violently massacred. Normally, about 40,000 people live in Bucha, although only 3,000-4,000 remained before the Russian occupation of the city. Some were shot in the head with their hands tied behind them, and some were brutally beaten and killed.
Since then, at least 400 bodies have been recovered, meaning about every one of 10 remaining civilians was killed. One of the survivors of the massacre, Vitaliy Zhyvotovskyi, said “We had no hope. Not because of the cold, but due to fear because we could hear what the Russians did to the captives.”
This is just one of the many examples of war crimes committed in Ukraine since the invasion in February. Russia denies any involvement in these deaths, but Ukraine, as well as many other countries including the U.S., believe that Russia must be held responsible for its actions. Since then, Russia was suspended (and then left) the UN Human Rights Council.
While the International Criminal Court (ICC) continues the investigation from March 2 into Russian war crimes, the number of alleged atrocities keeps rising. The investigation is only into war crimes committed from 2013 to the present, and we will see the events unfold as evidence continues to pile up.
As the war rages, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are displaced or crossing the borders. Many have family members in the United States, who are pleading for anyone to help in any way they can. If possible, everyone is urged to donate what they can, whether it be money, clothes, or whatever they can.
CARE, the international humanitarian group, is raising money to provide food, water, and other necessities to families in Ukraine. Contributions can be added here. Doctors Without Borders is a medical relief organization that is also accepting donations, as well as the International Committee of the Red Cross.
