Growing evidence of Russian war crimes in Ukraine, according to the UN
A member of the war crimes prosecutor’s team speaks by phone next to buildings that were destroyed by Russian bombing in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in Borodyanka, Kyiv region, Ukraine, on April 7 of 2022.
Zohra Bensemra | Reuters
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said in her office there is growing evidence that Russian forces carried out illegal killings and summary executions.
“Growing evidence gives my office reasonable grounds to believe that the Russian armed forces have committed serious violations of international humanitarian law in this regard,” Bachelet wrote in a statement.
Bachelet said UN investigators have verified the recovery of more than 1,200 civilian bodies from Kyiv. He added that his office is working to corroborate more than 300 allegations of killings by the Russian armed forces in situations that were not related to active combat.
“The arbitrary detention of civilians has also become widespread in the territory controlled by the Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups. Despite access restrictions, we have documented 270 cases of arbitrary detention and enforced disappearance,” he added.
The Kremlin has previously denied that its forces have committed crimes against civilians in Ukraine.
– Amanda Macias
The UN says at least 4,889 deaths in Ukraine since the start of the war
Thirteen coffins are seen in Krasnopilske cemetery during a mass funeral of the Ukrainian army on July 1, 2022 in the Dnipro, Ukraine.
Paula Bronstein | Getty Images
The United Nations has confirmed 4,889 civilian deaths and 6,263 wounded in Ukraine since Russia invaded its former Soviet neighbor on February 24th.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said the death toll in Ukraine is likely to be higher because the armed conflict could delay reports of fatalities.
The international organization said most of the recorded civilian casualties were caused by the use of explosive weapons with a wide area of impact, including heavy artillery bombardment and multiple rocket launch systems, as well as missiles. and air strikes.
– Amanda Macias
The United States and its allies call for Russia and Belarus to suspend international sports, ban official state flags at sporting events
A fan holds a Russian flag during the luge relay event at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Getty Images
The State Department reiterated its call for the international sports community to suspend Russian and Belarusian sports organizations and remove Russian and Belarusian people from positions of influence associated with the sports community.
“National and international sports organizations should consider suspending the broadcasting of sports competitions in Russia and Belarus,” the State Department wrote in a statement, adding that “Russia’s official flags, emblems and anthems and Belarus should be banned. “
“In addition, we reiterate our encouragement for the international sports community to continue to show its solidarity with the people of Ukraine, including by supporting the continuation and reconstruction of Ukrainian sport whenever possible,” the Department of Foreign Affairs wrote. ‘State in a joint statement with representatives from more than 30 countries.
– Amanda Macias
More than 40 countries pledge economic and recovery support to Ukraine
A Russian military inspects an underground tunnel under the Azovstal steel plant in Mariupol, amid ongoing Russian military action in Ukraine on June 13, 2022. (Photo by Yuri KADOBNOV / AFP) (Photo by YURI KADOBNOV / AFP via Getty Images)
Yuri Kadobnov | AFP | Getty Images
Representatives of more than 40 countries along with about 20 international organizations have pledged to support Ukraine on its path to recovery amid the ongoing war in Russia.
The countries agreed to “fully commit to supporting Ukraine along its path from early to long-term recovery and link it to the European perspective of Ukraine and the status of an EU candidate country,” according to a joint statement dubbed the Lugano Declaration that was made in the Recovery of Ukraine. Conference in Lugano, Switzerland.
Representatives of the Council of Europe, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development also signed the commitment.
– Amanda Macias
“Historic day,” says NATO chief as 30 NATO allies approve accession to Finland and Sweden
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde and Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto attend a press conference with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg after signing the protocols of accession of their countries to the alliance’s headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on July 5, 2022.
Yves Herman | Reuters
The 30 NATO member countries approved accession protocols for Finland and Sweden to join the military alliance, an important step in NATO enlargement.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has welcomed the “historic day for Euro-Atlantic security”.
“With 32 nations around the table, we will be stronger and safer as we face a more dangerous world,” Stoltenberg wrote on Twitter.
In May, both nations began the formal application process for the NATO alliance.
– Amanda Macias
Johnson updates Zelenskyy on the latest arms transfers from the UK to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson addresses his cabinet ahead of the weekly cabinet meeting in Downing Street, London, UK, on June 7, 2022.
Leon Neal | Reuters
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke this morning with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after talks on the sidelines of G-7 and NATO meetings.
Zelenskyy updated Johnson on the current situation in Ukraine and the latest Russian advances, according to a British reading of the call. Johnson updated Zelenskyy on the latest transfers of military equipment, including 10 self-propelled artillery systems, that will arrive in the region soon.
The leaders agreed on the importance of removing the great Ukrainians from the country as soon as possible and pledged to work closely together in the future.
– Amanda Macias
It is estimated that more than 12 million people in Ukraine need health care
Medical workers carry patients on a specially equipped train, run by Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and National Railways of Ukraine, to evacuate the wounded from war-torn areas in the east of Ukraine, in the midst of the invasion of the country by Russia. Dnipro, Ukraine, May 10, 2022.
Gleb Garanich | Reuters
An estimated 12.1 million people in Ukraine will need health care in August, according to data compiled by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in a new report.
Since the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in late February, there have been more than 290 verified attacks on health centers, medical transport, warehouses, supplies, medical personnel and patients.
“The risk of disease outbreaks, such as cholera, measles, diphtheria or Covid-19, has increased due to lack of access to water, sanitation and hygiene, crowding conditions in anti-aerodic shelters and collective centers and suboptimal coverage for routine and childhood vaccinations. ”UN researchers wrote in the report.
In addition, UN researchers wrote that WHO estimates found that at least a third of adults in Ukraine have health problems caused by chronic noncommunicable diseases and require systematic health coverage, including counseling and support. doctor.
– Amanda Macias
Pro-Russian forces are heading for Donetsk, the separatist leader says
Denis Pushilin (C), leader of the separatists in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) arrives to give a press conference in Donetsk on April 11, 2022.
Alexander Nemenov | AFP | Getty Images
Pro-Russian separatist forces in the so-called “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk (known as the DPR and LPR) are moving into Donetsk province, RPD leader Denis Pushilin said on Tuesday, according to the agency. Russian state news TASS. .
“We can already say that our body, the first body that participated and helped our brothers [in the liberation of the LPR]it is already moving in the direction of Donetsk as well as in the second corps [from] Luhansk, ”Pushilin said.
Russia and its representatives in eastern Ukraine call the capture of the Luhansk region, which took place last weekend, a “liberation,” although Russia is believed to use a reason to “protect.” the separatist separatist areas, which were founded in 2014 when Russia was annexed. Crimea from Ukraine as an excuse to invade Ukraine.
“Holly Ellyatt.”
The Russian parliament approves the first vote on war economy measures
A police officer patrols in front of the Russian State Duma (the lower house of parliament) and the Column Hall building on April 8, 2022. The Russian parliament passed a bill that will allow the government appoint a new management of foreign companies that left Russia because of the “anti-Russian sentiment in Europe and the US,” the Associated Press reported.
Natalia Kolesnikova | Afp | Getty Images
Russian lawmakers have given the first seal of approval to two bills that will authorize the government to force companies to supply goods to the military and its employees to work overtime to support the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported on Tuesday.
Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov told parliament that the moves were driven by the need to support the army at a time when the Russian economy was under “colossal pressure sanctions” from the West for more than four months after what he calls his special military operation in Ukraine.
“The burden on the defense industry has increased markedly. To ensure the supply of weapons and ammunition, it is necessary to optimize the work of the military-industrial complex and the companies that are part of the chains of cooperation,” he said.
One of the bills — approved at first reading by the State Duma, the lower house of parliament — said that …