Russia accused of causing “deliberate starvation” in Ukraine
- 23 September, 17:20
Russia is facing a war crime allegation over deliberately causing starvation of Ukrainians during its full-fledged invasion of the country since last year.
Kyiv, jointly with international human rights lawyers, is drafting a relevant dossier to be submitted to the international criminal court (ICC).
Investigators involved in the case accuse Russia of using various methods to cut off Ukrainian civilians' access to food and water.
The investigation into the deliberation starvation of residents is focused on “starvation tactics” allegedly used by Russian forces in Ukraine’s northern Chernihiv region that was sieged during the first three months of Russian invasion, according to the Global Rights Compliance human rights law firm. Twenty civilians were starved to death during the siege.
Another starvation instance has to do with water depravation in Ukraine’s southern Mykolaiv city due after Russia captured the pumping station supplying fresh water to the city.
The third element in the allegations against Moscow is related to Russia’s attempts to prevent exports of Ukrainian foodstuffs, a lawyer from Global Rights Compliance has said, citing Ukrainian reports on destruction of 270,000 tons of foodstuff in July and August due to Russia’s attack on grain facilities on the Danube River.
