“Repeated bombings of residential areas in Kharkov have been indiscriminate attacks that have killed and injured hundreds of civilians and therefore constitute war crimes,” Amnesty said, adding: uncontrolled artillery shelling. “
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“The continued use of such inaccurate explosive weapons in populated neighborhoods, recognizing that they have repeatedly led to large numbers of civilian casualties, can be seen as a controlled attack on civilians,” Amnesty International said, recalling that Kharkov had been shelled for two months.
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They scatter over the target
Her investigators found repeated use of 9N210 and 9N235 cluster munitions. In both cases, they are warheads for unguided missiles carrying submunitions designed to destroy the enemy’s manpower. This ammunition was used in the warheads fired from rocket launchers Smerč. Landmines were also used to fire on enemy territory using rocket launchers. Amnesty called these mines a combination of “the worst properties of cluster munitions and anti-personnel mines.”
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These mines are fired in missile warheads and, like the submunitions of cluster bombs, they explode over the target. However, they are dangerous even after the impact.
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Tangible evidence
Investigators obtained fragments of 9N210 and 9N235 ammunition, with the affected areas clearly indicating the use of cluster munitions. They also took shards removed from the injured bodies from surgeons from two hospitals.
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“The re-use of widely banned cluster munitions is shocking and further indicates deep disrespect for civilian lives,” said Donatella Rover of Amnesty International. “Russian forces must be held responsible for these terrible attacks,” she added.
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Neither Russia nor Ukraine has signed a convention banning cluster munitions, but Amnesty recalls that shelling of residential areas with unguided missiles is considered a war crime.
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