As a result of a strike by a Russian FPV drone on Nikopol, two women tragically lost their lives. This was reported by Oleksandr Hanzha, the head of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration. According to him, “a 77-year-old woman died on the spot. Another woman, aged 83, was hospitalized in extremely critical condition. Unfortunately, she could not be saved.”
This is reported by Finway
Consequences of the Attack on Civil Infrastructure
According to regional authorities, several civil infrastructure facilities were damaged during the attack: five-story residential buildings, a private house, and several cars. Such shelling is regular in the region, as Russian military forces systematically use various types of weapons, including strike drones, missiles, aerial bombs, and multiple launch rocket systems to target Ukrainian cities and essential facilities.
Qualification of Russia’s Actions as War Crimes and Genocide
The Ukrainian authorities, along with international organizations, regard such strikes as war crimes that exhibit characteristics of genocidal actions. Continuous attacks on energy supply systems, water supply, medical facilities, and other critically important infrastructure are aimed at depriving people of basic living conditions.
“A 77-year-old woman died on the spot. Another woman, aged 83, was hospitalized in extremely critical condition. Unfortunately, she could not be saved.”
Moreover, human rights defenders and experts believe that such actions aim not only to intimidate the civilian population but also to destroy the national identity of Ukrainians, which falls under the definition of genocide according to the 1948 UN Convention. Signs of genocide include the killing of members of a particular group, creating conditions for its destruction, as well as the forced deportation and persecution of those bearing culture or identity.
It is worth noting that the Russian leadership officially denies targeting civil infrastructure; however, the facts of widespread destruction of hospitals, schools, residential buildings, and energy facilities suggest otherwise.