
On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched a large-scale land, air, and sea invasion of Ukraine, which has resulted in devastating harm for civilians. Twelve days after the fighting began, Ukraine’s defenses slowed down and pushed back Russian forces advancing on multiple fronts. However, in the south, the port of Kherson on the Black Sea was the first major city to fall.1Michael Schwirtz and Richard Pérez-Peña, “First Ukraine City Falls as Russia Strikes More Civilian Targets,” The New York Times, March 2, 2022, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/kherson-ukraine-russia.html. Fierce fighting is ongoing in Mariupol and in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city.2Peter Beaumont, “‘Constant Shelling’ as Russian Forces Lay Siege to Key Ukrainian Cities,” The Guardian, March 2, 2022, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/02/constant-shelling-as-russian-forces-lay-siege-to-key-ukrainian-cities-kyiv-mariupol. A column of military vehicles stretching over 40 kilometers is making its way toward the capital, Kyiv, and bombing and shelling continues across the country. As of March 6, 2022, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) reported 1,207 civilian casualties in Ukraine: 406 killed and 801 injured,3“Ukraine Civilian Casualty Update”, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, March 7, 2022. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=28179&LangID=E. though unverified reports by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service put the number closer to 2,000 civilians killed since the start of the invasion.4Raghavan, Sudarsan. “As Ukraine Struggles to Count War Casualties, Families Bury the Dead One by One.” The Washington Post, March 4, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/04/ukraine-russia-casualties-kyiv/. Furthermore, over two million Ukrainians have fled to neighboring countries according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.5Grandi, Filippo, Twitter Post. March 8, 2022, 10:29 AM, https://twitter.com/FilippoGrandi/status/1501130493781286913?s=20&t=z8yM70fuKT9y49qvekO56w
Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) has been monitoring patterns of civilian harm from open-source information and local and international media, as well as from local authorities and communities. CIVIC has been present in Ukraine since 2017, supporting the resolve and capacities of communities for better civilian protection. The perspectives of CIVIC’s Ukraine team, as well as interactions with local networks and communities, has informed the content of this paper. This paper reflects on the impact of the ongoing international armed conflict on civilians; offers urgent recommendations to better protect the civilian population of Ukraine from the conflict’s devastating consequences; and analyzes ways to ensure accountability and transparency on violations and abuses of international humanitarian law (IHL) and other applicable laws, including international human rights law (IHRL).6The use of hostile armed force by Russia against Ukraine since 2014 continues to render this situation an International Armed Conflict. See: “International Armed Conflict in Ukraine.” Rulac, February 25, 2022. https://www.rulac.org/browse/conflicts/international-armed-conflict-in-ukraine.
Patterns of Civilian Harm
In the earliest days of the attack, initial reports focused on significant civilian harm resulting from fighting in densely populated areas and the use of non-precision weapons in cities such as Chuhuiv, Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mariupol, Uman, Vuhledar, and others near the frontlines. Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab verified an incident on February 24 in which a missile targeting Chuhuiv Air Base instead hit a nearby residential block, killing one, injuring another, and damaging the residential area.7“Russia Commits Indiscriminate Attacks during the Invasion of Ukraine.” Amnesty International, February 25, 2022. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/russian-military-commits-indiscriminate-attacks-during-the-invasion-of-ukraine/. The same day in Vuhledar, a ballistic missile struck near a hospital building, killing four civilians and injuring ten.8Ibid. Other reports suggested that Russian troops were using Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRS) – unguided and notoriously inaccurate artillery systems – in the outskirts of Kharkiv, a city of just under 1.5 million.9Bellingcat Investigation Team. “Invasion of Ukraine: Tracking Use of Cluster Munitions in Civilian Areas.” Bellingcat, February 27, 2022. https://www.imedd.org/ukraine/invasion-of-ukraine-tracking-use-of-cluster-munitions-in-civilian-areas/. A day later, on February 25, a preschool in Okhtyrka was hit by cluster munitions while civilians took shelter inside, killing three (including a child) and wounding another child. Amnesty International suggests a logistics storage yard 300 meters north of the school may have been the intended target.10“Cluster Munitions Kill Child and Two Other Civilians in Ukrainian Nursery.” Amnesty International, February 2, 2022. https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2022/02/ukraine-cluster-munitions-kill-child-and-two-other-civilians-taking-shelter-at-a-preschool/.
As the conflict escalated, reports of attacks by Russian forces that appeared to have been directed at civilian areas multiplied. Multiple sources pointed to changing Russian tactics: as Russia’s blitzkrieg over Ukraine failed, Russian forces reportedly switched to shelling civilian areas to break resistance.11Ali, Idrees, and Phil Stewart. “Russian Forces Appear to Shift to Siege Warfare in Ukraine- U.S. Official.” Reuters, February 28, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/putins-nuclear-move-could-make-situation-much-much-more-dangerous-us-official-2022-02-27/; Trofimov, Yaroslav. Russia Targets Ukrainian Civilian Areas in Shift to Demoralize Resistance, March 1, 2022. https://www.wsj.com/articles/russian-forces-target-ukrainian-civilian-areas-as-missile-hits-central-kharkiv-11646124675. Geolocated images showed hits on residential areas in Kharkiv, which do not appear to be in the vicinity of military installations and therefore could have been deliberately targeted.12Mezzofiore, Gianluca, Katie Plglase, and Paul P. Murphy. “Russia Sends a Message to All of Ukraine by Hitting These Civilian Areas in This City.” CNN, March 4, 2022. https://edition.cnn.com/2022/03/03/europe/ukraine-kharkiv-civilian-strikes-intl-cmd/index.html; Garica, Catherine. “Mayor of Kharkiv Says Russian Military Is ‘Purposefully’ Targeting Residential Buildings.” The Week, March 4, 2022. https://theweek.com/russo-ukrainian-war/1010911/mayor-of-kharkiv-says-russian-military-is-purposefully-targeting. A female CIVIC staff member based in Kharkiv described her own distress: “Each morning starts as a normal day until the air raid sirens go off. We grab our backpack, run to the shelter, and stay there for hours while listening to the sound of explosions and weapons in total uncertainty.”
Russia has consistently denied targeting populated areas. However, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor announced on February 28 that his Office “had already found a reasonable basis to believe crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court had been committed.”13Khan QC, Karim A.A. “Statement of ICC Prosecutor on the Situation in Ukraine : ‘I have decided to proceed with opening an investigation’.” International Criminal Court, February 28, 2022. https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=20220228-prosecutor-statement-ukraine. Following referrals from 39 ICC State Parties, the Court was able to proceed with opening an investigation into the situation in Ukraine.14Khan QC, Karim A.A. “Statement of ICC Prosecutor on the Situation in Ukraine: Receipt of Referrals from 39 States Parties and the Opening of an Investigation.” International Criminal Court, March 2, 2022. https://www.icc-cpi.int/Pages/item.aspx?name=2022-prosecutor-statement-referrals-ukraine.
Threats to civilians have also come from attacks on critical infrastructure and dangerous sites. This includes strikes on hospitals,15Breuninger, Kevin. “‘We Are Not Politicians’: WHO Avoids Naming Russia as It Condemns Attacks on Civilians and Hospitals in Ukraine.” CNBC, March 2, 2022. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/02/who-avoids-naming-russia-as-it-condemns-attacks-on-ukraine-health-sites.html. as well as oil depots and other energy-related installations.16On February 25, the Centre for Information Resilience geo-localized an explosion at a strategic fuel reserve in Kharkiv – toxic oil fumes can cause grave health issues when inhaled and spilled oil (in addition to oil fires) causes soil contamination. Strikes on gas pipelines or nuclear energy reactors can cause severe losses among the civilian population, as well as long-term environmental and health consequences. On February 25, the Centre for Information Resilience geo-localized an explosion at a strategic fuel reserve in Kharkiv,17Center for Information Resilience, Twitter Post. February 25, 2022, 06:27 AM, https://twitter.com/Cen4infoRes/status/1497261879881875457 and early reports from the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone indicated higher radiation measurements after the Russian Federation took control of the site.18Polityuk, Pavel, and Forrest Crellin. “Ukraine Reports Higher Chernobyl Radiation after Russians Capture Plant.” Reuters, February 25, 2022. https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/ukraine-nuclear-agency-reports-higher-chernobyl-radiation-levels-due-heavy-2022-02-25/. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the measurements did not indicate a threat, but the risk of a serious incident involving nuclear facilities was real enough for the IAEA chief, Rafael Grossi, to call on “all parties to refrain from any measures or actions that could jeopardize the security of nuclear material.”19 “Update 2 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine.” IAEA, February 26, 2022. https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-2-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine. IAEA issued similar concerns on March 7 after Russian forces took control of Zaporizhzhya Nuclear Power Plant, noting two of the seven indispensable pillars20IAEA reports that “any action of plant management – including measures related to the technical operation of the six reactor units – requires prior approval by the Russian commander” and that “phone lines, as well as e-mails and fax, were not functioning anymore […] Mobile phone communication was still possible, but with poor quality”. of nuclear safety and security appeared to be violated – namely that “operating staff must have the capacity to make decisions free of undue pressure” and that “there must be reliable communications with the regulator and others.”21“Update 13 – IAEA Director General Statement on Situation in Ukraine.” IAEA, March 6, 2022. https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/pressreleases/update-13-iaea-director-general-statement-on-situation-in-ukraine. These incidents prove attacks on nuclear facilities are part of a broader trend in Russia’s military offensive on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Potential damage to nuclear facilities poses very real risks to the health and safety of civilians, as well as the environment, and is prohibited by the Geneva Conventions (Article 56 of Additional Protocol 1 and Customary IHL Rules 7, 43).
More recent information suggests civilians are being denied safe passage out of conflict zones, shot at by Russian forces, or used as human shields. In Mariupol, reports indicated that Russian forces were attacking railways and bridges, preventing civilians from leaving.22Bölinger, Mathias, and Ines Eisele. “Kherson: Eyewitness Reports from a Ukrainian City under Siege.” DW, March 4, 2022. https://www.dw.com/en/kherson-eyewitness-reports-from-a-ukrainian-city-under-siege/a-61007356. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) cited that “urgent evacuations remain impossible” in the cities of Bucha and Hostomel due to continuous heavy shelling.23OCHA. “Ukraine: Humanitarian Impact Situation Report (as of 3:00 P.m. (EET), 6 March 2022).” ReliefWeb, March 6, 2022. https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-impact-situation-report-300-pm-eet-6-march-2022. A team from the New York Times directly witnessed a Russian hit on one of the main evacuation roads used by civilians moving out of Irpin and towards Kyiv, which left four dead.24Addario, Lynsey. “Russian Forces Fire on Evacuees, Leaving 4 People Dead Outside Kyiv.” The New York Times, March 6, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/world/europe/ukraine-irpin-civilian-death.html. Most accounts citing actual incidents, however, remain unverified at the time of writing. Local reports25Unverified video evidences suggest that on 27/02 in Nova Kakhovka, Russian forces used a power plant and residential areas as launch base for MRL; and in Kharkiv they hid in a school to continue fighting Ukrainian forces. also warn of possible military equipment being placed in residential areas by Russian forces; the occupation of medical facilities, including a psychiatric clinic and a children hospital; civilians being taken hostage; and booby-trapped items like children’s toys or matchboxes. If verified, these incidents represent blatant violations of IHL, which will require a full, independent, and impartial investigation.
In addition to immediate threats, reports of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) littering populated areas throughout Ukraine suggest long-term consequences for civilians.26Demining non-profit The HALO Trust expressed concern about video circulating on social media of UXO in Ukraine, and shared safety warnings in Russian, Ukrainian, and English. Cluster munitions and UXOs discarded by ammunitions that failed to detonate can threaten civilians long after active fighting ceases. CIVIC therefore expects an increasing number of incidents involving civilians unknowingly detonating UXOs as they try to clear them. Photo documentation of UXOs in the middle of playgrounds27On February 26, multiple media shared images and videos of an unexploded Grad rocket stuck in the middle of a kindergarten playground in Kharkiv. are a grim reminder that children are likely to suffer disproportionate and long-term impacts from the conflict.28Bellingcat Investigation Team. “Invasion of Ukraine: Tracking Use of Cluster Munitions in Civilian Areas.” Bellingcat, February 27, 2022. https://www.imedd.org/ukraine/invasion-of-ukraine-tracking-use-of-cluster-munitions-in-civilian-areas/.
The Unfolding Humanitarian Crisis
As fighting continues and it becomes more difficult to leave areas most affected by the conflict, a humanitarian crisis is unfolding in Ukraine. With missile strikes disrupting transport routes, supplies of water and food in the southern port of Kherson are running low.29Bölinger, Mathias, and Ines Eisele. “Kherson: Eyewitness Reports from a Ukrainian City under Siege.” DW, March 4, 2022. https://www.dw.com/en/kherson-eyewitness-reports-from-a-ukrainian-city-under-siege/a-61007356. In Mariupol, heat and electricity were cut off in many areas, and residents are struggling to find food and water.30Morris, Loveday, Ellen Francis, and Robyn Dixon. “Mariupol, Key Ukrainian Port, under Siege and out of Water: ‘We Are Being Destroyed.’” The Washington Post, March 3, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/03/ukraine-mariupol-siege-russia-invasion/. Credible allegations additionally point to electricity and mobile phone networks not working in cities near Kyiv, such as Bucha and Hostomel. The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported major shortages of oxygen and other vital medical supplies in Ukrainian hospitals.31 “Dangerously Low Medical Oxygen Supplies in Ukraine Due to Crisis, WARN WHO Director-General and WHO Regional Director for Europe.” World Health Organization, February 27, 2022. https://www.euro.who.int/en/media-centre/sections/statements/2022/dangerously-low-medical-oxygen-supplies-in-ukraine-due-to-crisis,-warn-who-director-general-and-who-regional-director-for-europe. Attempts by warring parties to put in place evacuation and humanitarian routes have been met with very limited success so far.32Reuters. “Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry Says Russian Shelling Prevents Evacuation, Aid Deliveries .” Euronews, March 8, 2022. https://www.euronews.com/2022/03/08/us-ukraine-crisis-russia-shelling. The risks associated with being trapped in active hostilities are further compounded by limited or no access to basic services, life-saving information, and other means of communication, and will continue to worsen as the conflict persists. Those most vulnerable – the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children – will suffer the most.33According to reliable humanitarian sources, and as of March 8th, residents of these cities need green corridors to evacuate and deliver food and medicine: Bucha, Volnovakha, Kakhovka, Kherson, Kharkiv, Kupyansk, Nova Kakhovka, Mariupol, Okhtyrka, Sumy, Trostianets, Chernihiv, Chuhuiv, Ivankiv, Shchastia, Hostomel, Vorzel, Irpin, and Izium.
IHL Provisions on Protection of Civilians
One of the main goals of IHL is to limit the suffering of conflict-affected civilians. While recognizing military objectives and warfare, it strikes a balance between the latter and principles of humanity. It is thus at the core of the international rule of law system. The ongoing armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is governed by IHL and Russia and Ukraine are both signatories to the four Geneva Conventions of 1949 as well as Additional Protocol I of 1977. They are furthermore bound by Customary IHL and the applicable obligations under IHRL.
Based on the patterns of civilian harm described above and the humanitarian crisis unfolding as a result, it is imperative to not just talk about IHL, but to apply it.34The protection of civilians areas and legal obligations mentioned below are not exhaustive. Current trends in the conflict indicate that relevant IHL obligations are not being upheld.
Fighting in populated areas (especially in bigger cities as is the case in Ukraine), even when exclusively targeting military objectives, requires ensuring that the anticipated incidental harm to civilians and/or civilian objects is not excessive in relation to the concrete and direct military advantage expected to result from hostilities.35ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v2_rul_rule14#:~:text=The%20manual’s%20Glossary%20defines%20%E2%80%9Ccollateral,against%20a%20legitimate%20military%20objective.%E2%80%9D, 7 March 2022. In areas where military objects and civilian infrastructure coexist, use of weapons – in particular explosive weapons with wide area effects – requires special discrimination.36ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://www.icrc.org/en/explosive-weapons-populated-areas, 7 March 2022 In Ukraine’s urban centers, the entanglement of military objectives and civilian presence has already rendered the use of explosive weapons, such as ballistic missiles and MLRS, deadly to civilians and damaging to critical infrastructure. Indiscriminate attacks, e.g. those not directed at specific military objectives and those that employ weapons which cannot be precisely directed at military areas, are prohibited as per IHL.37ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule11, 7 March 2022; ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule12, 7 March 2022.
The targeting and shelling of civilian houses and apartments is a blatant violation of the distinction principle of IHL, e.g. distinguishing between combatants and civilians.38 ICRC, Customary IHL Database,https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/applic/ihl/ihl.nsf/Article.xsp?action=openDocument&documentId=8A9E7E14C63C7F30C12563CD0051DC5C, 7 March 2022. Attacking, destroying, removing, or rendering useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population (such as water, heating, and electricity infrastructure) is prohibited.39 ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule54, 7 March 2022.
Attacking nuclear facilities such as the Zaporizhzhia plant risks resulting in the release of harmful materials and is prohibited (with very limited exceptions).40The special protection against attack provided shall cease for a nuclear electrical generating station only if it provides electric power in regular, significant, and direct support of military operations and if such attack is the only feasible way to terminate such support. Article 56 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I stipulates: “Works and installations containing dangerous forces, namely dams, dykes and nuclear electrical generating stations, shall not be made the object of attack, even where these objects are military objectives, if such attack may cause the release of dangerous forces and consequent severe losses among the civilian population.”
IHL recognizes the rights of conflict-affected civilians to impartially access humanitarian assistance, such as water, food, and medical supplies. While states are generally the primary parties responsible for meeting these basic needs, this can be challenging during armed conflict. In such scenarios, parties must provide humanitarian actors unimpeded, impartial access to assist civilians in need.41Additional Protocol I provides that “only in case of imperative military necessity may the activities of the relief personnel be limited or their movements temporarily restricted” (Additional Protocol I, Article 71(3) (adopted by consensus) (ibid., § 725). The exception of imperative military necessity is justified on the basis that relief operations must not be allowed to interfere with military operations, lest the safety of humanitarian relief personnel be endangered. These restrictions can only be limited and temporary, however. See: ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule56, 7 March 2022 and ICRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule55, 7 March 2022. With cities like Mariupol currently being cut off from outside supplies,42Morris, Loveday, Ellen Francis, and Robyn Dixon. “Mariupol, Key Ukrainian Port, under Siege and out of Water: ‘We Are Being Destroyed.’” The Washington Post, March 3, 2022. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/03/ukraine-mariupol-siege-russia-invasion/. it is also vital to remind parties to the conflict that they must refrain from deliberately impeding the delivery of relief supplies to civilians in need in areas under their control.43CRC, Customary IHL Database, https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/customary-ihl/eng/docindex/v1_rul_rule55, 7 March 2022.
In occupied Ukrainian territories,44“Maps: Tracking the Russian Invasion of Ukraine.” The New York Times, March 8, 2022. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/world/europe/ukraine-maps.html. the occupying power has a duty to ensure that the population is provided with food and medical supplies. In particular, it should bring in the necessary food, medical supplies, and other items if the occupied territory has inadequate resources. If all or part of the population of an occupied territory lacks the necessary supplies, the occupying power is under an obligation to consent to relief efforts to aid the population.45“What Does IHL Provide for in Terms of Humanitarian Access and Assistance?” ICRC Blog. ICRC, August 14, 2017. https://blogs.icrc.org/ilot/2017/08/14/what-does-ihl-provide-for-in-terms-of-humanitarian-access-and-assistance/.
Protecting Civilians in Ukraine: Urgent Actions
The international community needs to support the adoption of urgent measures to protect the lives of civilians in Ukraine. All parties must abide by IHL and other applicable norms, including IHRL; all parties must refrain from targeting civilians and civilian objects, and take precautionary measures to mitigate civilian harm from direct attacks and consequences thereof.
The international community must prioritize the protection of civilians in all efforts to bring about a ceasefire and stop the fighting in Ukraine. A pause in hostilities of several days is urgently needed to spare the lives of civilians, allow for safe evacuation from areas under constant fighting, and permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance into these areas. In particular:
- All efforts should be directed at exerting pressure on the Russian Federation to immediately cease indiscriminate and targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as medical facilities, residential buildings, and schools. All available means of pressure must be applied to reduce the use of weapons that result in indiscriminate attacks on civilians and civilian objects, including ballistic missiles, MLRS, and other explosive weapons with wide area effect in populated areas.
- Pressure should be exerted on, and support provided to, Ukrainian and Russian officials to urgently negotiate evacuation routes to allow civilians to safely leave conflict-affected areas in a manner that guarantees their safety, dignity, and protection. The Russian Federation should be reminded that evacuation is a voluntary process; civilians must not be prevented from leaving areas where hostilities are taking place, nor be attacked during the process, and they should not be forced to evacuate into enemy territory. Should reports of deliberate actions by Russian forces aimed at preventing civilians from leaving turn out to be correct, these tactics must be immediately abandoned. In addition, the Russian Federation should be reminded that civilians who remain in besieged areas continue to be protected under their status as “civilians”.
- Safe humanitarian access routes must be established from and into areas exposed to intense fighting, where the dire need of food, medical supplies, winter items, and other essential non-food items increases the vulnerability of the population day after day. As siege-like situations develop in Ukraine, the besieging party cannot deliberately deprive civilians of essential supplies. Armed forces besieging an area must allow unimpeded access to humanitarian assistance essential for the survival of civilians.
- All parties to the conflict need to proactively track patterns of civilian harm in areas they are operating in and subsequently adapt tactics, operational guidance, and rules of engagement (ROEs) to better protect civilians.
- In order to bring about full accountability and transparency into alleged IHL and IHRL violations, the work of existing monitoring missions (such as the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine) and investigation mechanisms need to be reinforced and scaled up. In addition, the newly created Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine46United Nations Human Rights Council. “Human Rights Council Establishes an Independent International Commission of Inquiry to Investigate All Alleged Violations of Human Rights in the Context of the Russian Federation’s Aggression against Ukraine.” OHCHR, March 4, 2022. https://www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/HRC/Pages/NewsDetail.aspx?NewsID=28203&LangID=E. needs to urgently be operationalized in order to investigate all alleged violations of IHL and make recommendations to ensure perpetrators are held accountable. Collected data should be disaggregated to enable attribution of specific incidents to different categories of armed actors, including private military contractors. International actors with satellite or geolocation capabilities in the area should add evidence of civilian harm to the information gathered.
- As the Russian Federation’s attacks on nuclear sites risk serious long-term and reverberating effects on the civilian population, coordinated steps by Russia, Ukraine, and the international community should be taken to prevent damage to all remaining nuclear sites in Ukraine.
International partners of Ukraine, including NATO, NATO nations, the European Union (EU), and EU member states, need to urgently prioritize the protection of civilians in their assistance measures to Ukraine:
- NATO, NATO members, the EU, and other international partners of Ukraine should prioritize civilian protection in their own military preparedness and planning, as in assistance measures to Ukraine.
- While Ukraine’s international allies deliver lethal and non-lethal equipment to Ukraine, they should also focus on supplies crucial to civilian protection, including protective vests and medical equipment. These supplies need to be distributed to civilians.
- International partners should use their own capabilities to step up operational support to Ukraine, as well as to international monitoring agencies, to prevent, mitigate, and track incidents of civilian harm, including through sharing satellite imagery.
- The donor community needs to support the urgent scale-up of humanitarian assistance through dedicated funds, rapid grants, and coordination mechanisms.
Methodology
CIVIC has been present in Ukraine since 2017, monitoring trends in civilian harm and working with local actors to put in place innovative procedures aimed at mitigating civilian harm.
For this analysis, CIVIC has relied on open-source information available online and/or shared by Ukraine-based and international sources. CIVIC staff worked to triangulate every report. For data that has been verified by evidence labs or investigative journalists, CIVIC is confident of its veracity. For incidents that have been geo-localized and for which video or photographic evidence is available, CIVIC is moderately confident in their authenticity. A majority of the incidents reported are currently awaiting verification and have been included in this paper to better inform our conclusions on trends reported on the ground. The inclusion of these unverified incidents does not constitute a confirmation of the incident as CIVIC currently does not have independent capacities to verify claims of civilian harm in Ukraine.