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Ukrainian Officials Accuse Kremlin Forces of Targeting Rescue Workers with Missiles in Pokrovsk

Ukrainian ‌officials ⁣have accused the Kremlin’s forces of deliberately targeting rescue workers in the city of Pokrovsk by hitting residential buildings with two consecutive missiles.​ The first missile ‍was intended to⁢ draw emergency crews to the scene, while the second was meant to wound or kill ⁢them. The strikes, which occurred on Monday evening, resulted in⁣ the ⁤deaths of nine people‍ and left over 80 others injured.

According to Ukrainian President⁣ Volodymyr Zelenskyy, one of the victims was an emergency official, while the majority of those wounded were police officers, emergency workers, and soldiers who had rushed to assist⁤ residents. The Russian missiles struck the‍ center of Pokrovsk in the⁤ eastern Donetsk region, which is partially occupied by Russia. Rescue teams were⁢ still‍ working to remove rubble from the affected area.

This tactic of hitting⁤ a target and then striking the same spot again after a ⁢short period of ⁣time, known as a “double tap,” has been employed ​by Russia⁣ since the beginning of‌ the war. It⁢ often results in emergency teams being hit while responding to the initial blast. Russian forces have used this method in Syria’s⁢ civil ⁢war as well.

Ivan Vyhivskyi, chief of Ukraine’s National Police, expressed his outrage at the deliberate⁣ targeting of rescue ‍workers. He stated ⁤that the police officers were present at the scene because they were needed to rescue people after the first strike. Despite‍ knowing the risks, they bravely ​continued‍ their efforts to save ⁢lives,⁢ only to‍ be struck again by⁤ the enemy.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that they ‌had targeted a Ukrainian army command post ‍in Pokrovsk.⁢ However, neither side’s claims ⁣could be independently verified.

Among the injured was‌ Volodymyr Nikulin, a ‍police officer from the now Russian-occupied​ city of Mariupol. Nikulin was wounded in the second missile ⁣strike⁤ when shrapnel pierced his left lung and left hand. In a ‍video sent from his hospital ward, he described the attack as another “awful crime” committed ⁢by Russian criminals. He highlighted ‌the bravery of‌ the Ukrainian heroes who had risked⁣ their lives to ⁣help injured people.

The United Nations’ humanitarian coordinator​ in Ukraine, ⁤Denise⁢ Brown, condemned the attack as “absolutely ruthless” and a serious breach of international law.⁣ She emphasized⁤ that such actions violated any principle of humanity.

Since the⁣ start of Russia’s ‌invasion in‍ February 2022, 78 employees of Ukraine’s ‌State Emergency Service have been killed, and 280 have been wounded while⁤ responding to Russian missile strikes.​ Ukrainian officials argue that⁣ rescuers are protected by international conventions as they are⁣ providing humanitarian ‍assistance and are ⁢not engaged in combat operations.

The head‍ of ⁢the Pokrovsk city administration, Serhii Dobriak, described the attacks as a typical Russian scenario, with a‌ 30 to 40-minute gap between​ missiles. He ‌expressed his frustration that‍ when rescuers arrive ‍to save lives, another rocket arrives, resulting in an increase in casualties.

In addition ⁤to ⁢the attack in Pokrovsk, there were also reports of overnight attacks in ⁤the⁣ town of Kruhliakivka and a village near Kupiansk, resulting in further casualties. Russian-installed authorities in the Donetsk region accused Kyiv’s ‍forces of shelling the region’s capital and causing casualties.

The war in Ukraine ‍continues to escalate, with Russian missiles, drones, ⁢and artillery repeatedly ⁢targeting civilian‌ areas. While the Kremlin claims⁤ to only target military assets,⁢ Ukrainian officials argue that the damage caused to ⁤civilian ⁣areas ⁣is ⁣a result of debris from Ukrainian air defenses.

The situation in Ukraine⁤ remains dire, with innocent civilians and rescue workers bearing the brunt ⁣of the violence.⁢ The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with calls for a peaceful ‌resolution to ‍the conflict.
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​How can the international community effectively‍ hold accountable those⁤ who deliberately target rescue workers and‍ emergency personnel, violating international humanitarian law

Ed that rescue workers and emergency personnel risk ⁤their lives every day to ⁤save others, ⁢and ‍it ⁤is devastating to see them deliberately targeted.

The ‌attack in Pokrovsk is just another example of ​the ongoing ⁣conflict between ‍Ukraine and⁤ Russia. The double tap‍ tactic, used by Russian forces, not only targets the ⁤initial victims of⁤ the blast but also puts the lives of the emergency crews at risk. This brutal strategy ⁢has been seen in ⁣Syria as ‍well, highlighting the ‍ruthlessness of ⁤the Russian forces.

The Ukrainian President condemned the attack, expressing‍ his condolences to the victims’‌ families and​ reaffirming ‌his commitment ⁢to protecting ⁢the country. The Chief of ​Ukraine’s National ⁣Police ‍also expressed his outrage, ⁣emphasizing the bravery of the police​ officers ⁤who continued their rescue efforts despite the risks.

On the other hand, Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed that the target was ​a Ukrainian ⁢army command post, but⁤ these claims could not be independently verified. It is important to ⁤note that ⁣both sides‌ have different narratives and ⁢it is difficult to ascertain ‍the truth in such⁣ situations.

Among the injured was Volodymyr Nikulin, a police‌ officer from the now Russian-occupied city of Mariupol. He suffered serious injuries in the second missile‌ strike but bravely shared‍ his experience, ‍calling the attack another ‍”awful crime” ‍committed by⁤ Russian criminals.

This attack on rescue workers is a⁢ grave violation of international humanitarian law, which prohibits targeting⁤ civilians and those providing assistance ‍in ⁤times of conflict. ⁢The deliberate ⁣targeting of emergency personnel ⁤not only jeopardizes their lives but also obstructs the crucial work they do ​in saving lives ​and⁣ providing‍ necessary assistance to affected communities.

The international community must stand together in condemning ‌such actions and demand accountability for those responsible. The tragic events in ⁤Pokrovsk serve ⁣as a reminder of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the urgent⁤ need for a peaceful resolution to avoid further loss of life and devastation.

1 thought on “Ukrainian Officials Accuse Kremlin Forces of Targeting Rescue Workers with Missiles in Pokrovsk”

  1. This is absolutely disgraceful. Targeting rescue workers shows a complete disregard for human life. The international community must condemn these actions and hold those responsible accountable. #StandWithUkraine

    Reply

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