Donetsk, Feb 6 - DAN. The shelling of a Gorlovka’s bomb shelter with people inside violates not only the Minsk accords but also norms of international law, Donetsk People’s Republic ombudswoman Darya Morozova said on Thursday.
“I learnt that Ukrainian armed formations shelled the town of Gorlovka with mortars on February 5,” Morozova said. “Not mentioning a direct violation of the Geneva Convention, namely Article 13 on the protection of civilians, the horrible fact is that he strike targeted school premises where a bomb shelter is located.”
She added that the six people in the shelter had not been hurt thanks to sheer luck. A group of military engineers is working at the scene to remove unexploded ordnance.
Ukrainian forces’ actions undermine the indefinite ceasefire agreement dated July 21, 2019 and pose direct threat to Donbass civilians, the ombudswoman said.
“Such actions can be viewed either as the Ukrainian leadership’s inability to control its armed forces or their direct approval of violations of the norms of international humanitarian law,” Morozova said. “The DPR fulfils its peaceful conflict settlement commitments and if Ukraine shares this position, all the culprits behind this crime have to be held responsible.”
On Wednesday, strikes by Ukrainian armed formations damaged a water pipe and power supply facilities in the 6/7 Colliery neighbourhood in western Gorlovka. The shelling also caused damage to the unused school at 26 Timiryazev Street. There were people inside the bomb shelter under the school as the area came under fire.*jk