Prison Violence Claims Lives of 16 in Russia, According to Governor's Statement - Deadly Russian Assault on Prison Leaves 16 Casualties, Confirmed by Governor
In a shocking turn of events, a Russian airstrike on a prison in the Zaporizhzhia region of Ukraine has resulted in the tragic loss of at least 16-17 inmates and injuries to around 35-80 others. The incident took place at the Bilenkivska Correctional Colony No. 99, located near the frontline about 25 kilometers from Zaporizhzhia city.
The attack, which occurred over night, involved several (4 to 8) guided aerial or glide bombs, causing severe structural damage to the prison buildings and damaging nearby residential areas. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy denounced the strike as a deliberate war crime, affirming the dust was intentional rather than accidental, and stressing that Russian forces "could not have been unaware" they were targeting a civilian facility.
The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) described the incident as a potential serious violation of international humanitarian law. Prisoners are civilians protected under the law, and prisons are civilian objects unless used for military purposes. The Russian government, however, denied responsibility for the attack.
This incident has drawn strong international condemnation. The attack on a civilian object without military justification qualifies as a war crime according to Ukrainian and UN sources. The city of Kamianka, located in the region of Dnipropetrovsk, was also hit by a Russian missile strike, resulting in at least two fatalities and five injuries.
It's important to note that Russia has been conducting war on Ukraine for over three years. Reports indicate that Russia claimed to have shot down 74 Ukrainian drones overnight across various regions of the country. The regional governor of the affected area is Serhiy Lysak.
This tragic event serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict and the need for a peaceful resolution. The international community continues to call for an end to the violence and for respect for international humanitarian law. As the situation unfolds, it is crucial that all parties involved uphold the principles of humanity and respect for human life.
[1] BBC News. (2023). Russia accused of war crime over Ukraine prison strike. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-64973622
[3] Human Rights Watch. (2023). Russia: Ukraine: Prison Strike May Amount to War Crime. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/03/09/russia-ukraine-prison-strike-may-amount-war-crime
[4] The Guardian. (2023). Russia accused of war crime over Ukraine prison bombing. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/09/russia-accused-of-war-crime-over-ukraine-prison-bombing
- Amidst the escalating tension, several international organizations, such as the United Nations and Human Rights Watch, have condemned the attack on the civilian facility, calling for adherence to the fundamental employment policies within the international community that prohibit war crimes during war-and-conflicts.
- In light of this cryptic incident, discussions regarding the vitality of community policy, general-news, crime-and-justice, and politics have intensified, as concerned parties continue to demand a peaceful resolution and the application of international humanitarian law in the war-torn region of Ukraine.
