Russians used peaceful residents of Pokrovsk as a “human shield” during the assault
The Security Service of Ukraine reported that Russian military used peaceful residents of Pokrovsk in Donetsk region as a “human shield” during the assault. This happened on November 10, when Russian troops attacked the eastern outskirts of the city.
According to the SSU, an assault unit of the first motorized rifle battalion of the 506th motorized rifle regiment captured a local man, woman, and 13-year-old child. The occupiers were ordered to use civilians as cover during the clearing of residential buildings, which is a violation of Article 28 of the Geneva Convention on the protection of civilian population during war.
The Ukrainian special service opened a criminal case on the fact of a war crime. According to preliminary data, about 1200 peaceful residents remained in Pokrovsk at the beginning of November. Earlier, at the end of October, a Russian sabotage and reconnaissance group killed several civilians in the city center.
The use of civilians as “human shields” is not only a serious violation of international humanitarian law but also exacerbates the already serious humanitarian crisis in the region. This event once again underscores the need for international intervention and independent investigation of war crimes in the conflict.
| Key Points | Details |
|---|---|
| Date of event | November 10 |
| Location | Pokrovsk, Donetsk region |
| Captured civilians | 1 man, 1 woman, 1 child |
| Convention article | Article 28 of the Geneva Convention |
| Number of civilians in the city | About 1200 people |
