Photo:  © Amnesty International

“I was speaking to my son and telling him to leave, but he was worried about going outside. They sheltered in the basement for safety – but the bomb destroyed the middle section of the building, where the basement was.” 
Witness to air strikes on residential buildings in the town of Borodyanka, near Kyiv, on March 1 & 2, 2022

Within hours of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Amnesty International had verified reports and video footage of indiscriminate attacks on civilians across the country. With no end to the conflict in sight, the people of Ukraine are experiencing a catastrophic human rights crisis. Over four million people have fled their homes in search of safety, including across the borders into neighbouring countries.

By using force against another state without any legal justification, Russia has flagrantly violated the United Nations Charter. It is abusing its position as a permanent member of the UN Security Council to shield itself from accountability. 

The Russian Federation must stop this act of aggression against Ukraine and protect civilians. It must respect international law.

Amnesty International continues to document serious violations of international humanitarian and human rights law, including the unlawful killing and injury of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and blocking of desperately needed aid for civilians. Attacks on hospitals and schools, employing “surrender or starve” sieges on civilians, the use of banned weapons such as cluster munitions, and strikes on populated areas using inaccurate weapons may constitute war crimes. All those responsible for war crimes should be held criminally responsible for their actions.

Take Action and send a message to the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation. Demand that Russia ends the aggression immediately, protects civilians and respects international law.