Irpin refugee column shelling

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Irpin refugee column shelling
Part of the Battle of Irpin
Ukrainian civilians and soldiers take shelter under a bridge in Kyiv.jpg
Refugees taking shelter from Russian bombardments under a bridge in Irpin
LocationIrpin intersection, Ukraine
DateMarch 6, 2022 (2022-03-06)
Attack type
Mortar strikes, explosive projectiles
Deaths8[1]
Perpetrators Russia

On March 6, 2022, from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. local time, the Russian Armed Forces repeatedly shelled an intersection in Irpin that hundreds of civilians were using to escape to Kyiv, whilst Ukraine forces were firing a mortar nearby. It was part of an assault on Irpin, during the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. Eight civilians were killed.[1] Among them was a family of four that was killed by a mortar strike.[2][3]

History[edit]

Human Rights Watch observed that there were a dozen Ukrainian security force members at the intersection, but were vastly outnumbered by hundreds of civilians among them, yet the Russian forces fired explosive projectiles precisely at the intersection, repeatedly every 10 minutes.[1] HRW concluded that "The repeated nature of the attacks, which according to the government killed at least eight civilians, suggests that Russian forces violated their obligations under international humanitarian law not to conduct indiscriminate or disproportionate attacks that harm civilians, and failed to take all feasible measures to avoid civilian casualties."[1]

New York Times reporters on the scene confirmed that Ukrainian forces were firing mortar rounds in the direction of the Russian forces from a military position about 180 meters from the intersection.[4] HRW also stated "The Ukrainian forces also have an obligation to take all feasible precautions to avoid or minimize civilian harm. Such precautions include avoiding operating from an area where civilians and civilian objects are located and preventing civilians from entering areas of active hostilities."[1]

HRW concluded that "Both sides in this conflict have an obligation to take all feasible steps to avoid civilian harm and to allow the civilian population to evacuate safely...International investigations should send a message to those responsible for reckless, indiscriminate attacks that they could one day face justice.”[1]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Ukraine: Russian Assault Kills Fleeing Civilians". Human Rights Watch. March 8, 2022. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  2. ^ Lynsey Addario, Andrew E. Kramer (March 6, 2022). "Ukrainian Family's Dash for Safety Ends in Death". The New York Times. Retrieved March 9, 2022.
  3. ^ Paulina Villegas, David L. Stern and Sarah Cahlan (March 6, 2022). "Two Ukrainian children killed 'in front of my own eyes' while trying to evacuate, official says". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 13, 2022.
  4. ^ Addario, Lynsey (6 March 2022). "Russian forces fire on evacuees, leaving 4 people dead outside Kyiv". New York Times. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
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