"Our worst fears have been realised": Amnesty International warns against war crimes as Russia fights Ukraine for control of Chernobyl

Amnesty International has issued a statement calling for "unerring respect for international human rights and humanitarian law" following Russia’s attack on Ukraine this morning.

The organisation will be monitoring the situation closely to expose violations of international law by all parties involved. Expanded armed conflict between the two countries began with the Russian army subjecting Ukrainian military and air bases to heavy shelling, rocket artillery, and missile attacks this morning. Tank columns have also invaded Ukraine’s territory along the entire length of the border.

More than 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians have died, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

“Our worst fears have been realised. After weeks of escalation, a Russian invasion that is likely to lead to the most horrific consequences for human lives and human rights has begun,” Amnesty International’s Secretary General Agnès Callamard said today.

“As bombs and rockets are falling on Ukrainian military bases, and the first reports are coming in of the use of indiscriminate weapons by the Russian army, Amnesty International re-iterates its call on all parties to adhere strictly to international humanitarian law and international human rights law.

Prioritise humanity.
Prioritise humanity.
Prioritise humanity.https://t.co/uXb45tXkCg

— Amnesty International (@amnesty) February 22, 2022

"Civilian lives, homes and infrastructure must be protected; indiscriminate attacks and the use of prohibited weapons such as cluster munitions must not take place. We also repeat our call to allow and facilitate access for humanitarian agencies to provide assistance to civilians affected by the hostilities."

Reports of troops crossing the border to the north and south were made public in the early hours of February 24, with explosions in multiple cities including the capital Kyiv. Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian property, and indiscriminate attacks that kill or injure civilians constitute war crimes.

Amnesty International has previously warned of the devastating human rights risks of further armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine, including threats to civilian lives, livelihoods and infrastructure, and potential acute food shortages and mass displacement.

The organisation has documented the severe human rights toll of the 2014-2015 conflict in eastern Ukraine, in which war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed.

In a scathing national address, Zelensky said Russia attacked this morning “just like fascist Germany did during the Second World War”.

World leaders have condemned the Russian attack, with US President Joe Biden saying the world would “hold Russia accountable” for its actions.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that this will affect Ireland, saying: “The world doesn’t stay normal when an attack of this kind occurs.” Speaking with Ukrainian protesters outside Leinster House, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said Ireland is “limited as a small country in what we can do” but added “we will support any sanctions that we can”.

A closed-door meeting of the G7 and an emergency EU summit are both expected to take place today, as the West coordinates its response to Russia’s attack.

Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the #Chornobyl_NPP. Our defenders are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated. Reported this to @SwedishPM. This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe.

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2022

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said Kyiv’s forces are currently fighting invading Russian troops for control of the Chernobyl plant, the site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster.

“Russian occupying forces are trying to take over the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. Our soldiers are giving their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 does not happen again,” he wrote on Twitter, referring to the date of the disaster.

He called the attack “a declaration of war on all of Europe”.