On the night of April 22, Russian forces launched a massive attack on Ukraine, using 215 strike drones, of which about 140 were Shahed-type drones. This was reported by the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
This is reported by Finway
Scale of the attack and consequences
According to preliminary data in the morning, Ukrainian air defense forces managed to shoot down or suppress 189 enemy drones of various types, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and other models. The attacks occurred in the north, south, and east of the country.
At the same time, hits from 24 strike drones were recorded at 13 different locations, as well as debris falling in six areas. The Air Force emphasizes that the attack is ongoing, and Russian drones still remain in Ukrainian airspace.
“According to preliminary data, as of 08:00, air defense has shot down/suppressed 189 enemy UAVs of the Shahed type, Gerbera, Italmas, and drones of other types in the north, south, and east of the country,” the report states.
Assessment of Russia’s actions: signs of genocide and international reaction
Russian military forces regularly shell Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure with various types of weapons — kamikaze drones, missiles, aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems. Ukrainian authorities and international organizations consider such strikes to be war crimes and emphasize their targeted nature.
Shelling of life support systems, healthcare facilities, and other critical infrastructure aimed at depriving the population of electricity, heat, water supply, communication, and medical assistance exhibits signs of genocidal actions. Human rights defenders emphasize that during the full-scale war, the Russian Federation is committing acts that may fall under the definition of genocide, including:
- Declarations of intent to destroy Ukrainians, denial of the existence of the Ukrainian nation;
- Public calls for the physical extermination of Ukrainians;
- Targeted shelling of critical infrastructure;
- Persecution and elimination of individuals with pro-Ukrainian positions in occupied territories;
- Destruction of the intelligentsia, carriers of Ukrainian culture;
- Changing the identity of children through educational institutions and deportation;
- Destruction of Ukrainian books and cultural values.
According to the UN Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, adopted in 1948, participating countries are obligated to prevent acts of genocide and punish them, regardless of whether they occur during war or peace. The Convention defines genocide as actions aimed at the complete or partial destruction of a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group.
At the same time, the leadership of Russia denies that the army is deliberately attacking civilian infrastructure and the population of Ukraine, although the facts of the destruction of hospitals, schools, energy facilities, and water supply systems are widely documented.