During the year of the war in Mariupol, at least 10,000 people were killed - Human Rights Watch
"Despite the difficulties of investigating war crimes in the territories that have become inaccessible due to Russian occupation, we and our partners spent almost two years to reveal the truth about the horrific crimes committed by Russian troops in Mariupol. This investigation is directed to these crimes They were not forgotten, but the perpetrators were faced with justice, " - said Roman Avramenko, executive director of Truth Hounds.
The report is based on 240 interviews, mainly with displaced persons from Mariupol, conducted by HRW staff and the Ukrainian human rights organization Truth Hounds. In addition, the researchers analyzed more than 850 photos and video materials, documents, and considered dozens of satellite images taken by HRW and Situ Research. Human rights activists also indicate the possibility of a significant increase in the total number of dead.
This is due to the fact that some graves may contain the remains of several people, as well as the assumption that the remains of other victims could be buried under the rubble. Some of them may go unnoticed in improvised burials. Researchers took 14 incidents as a result of which 18 buildings were damaged or destroyed, and civilians were killed and injured.
Attacks mention the shelling of two hospitals, city drama theater, food staff, humanitarian aid distribution, supermarket and residential buildings that served as a refuge for civilians. The Human Rights Watch did not find convincing evidence of the presence of the Ukrainian military in these fires or their proximity. In some cases, only limited military presence was revealed, which emphasizes the wrongfulness of such shelling.
The report revealed 17 detachments belonging to or affiliated with Russia, which were active in Mariupol in March and April 2022. HRW also notes that since the occupation of the city, the Russian authorities are building new multi -storey residential buildings. The occupying power cleanses the rubble and destroys the material evidence of crimes.
We will remind, on January 10 the adviser of the mayor Mariupol Petro Andryushchenko told that the Russian military used civilian trucks in the military column. According to him, covered wagons were first spotted in the enemy column. On January 12, Petro Andryushchenko stated that the enemy had increased his presence and started new units in Mariupol district. In particular, in the last few weeks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation have started at least ten thousand contractors.