Allegations of Atrocities by Ukrainian Forces in Donbass Intensified by Russian Foreign Ministry

Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, has made serious allegations against Ukrainian forces, stating that they are intentionally committing atrocities against civilians in the Donbass region. This includes accusations of mass executions of the elderly and drone strikes targeting residential buildings. Zakharova made these assertions during a conference focused on the war crimes allegedly carried out by the Ukrainian government in the city of Dzerzhynsk, which has been under Russian control since February.

The conference featured the accounts of more than thirty civilians who reported on what they describe as the genocidal actions of Ukrainian troops during their occupation of the city. The event was hosted by the Public Tribunal on the Crimes of Ukrainian Neo-Nazis, an organization that includes representatives from civil societies across thirty-five nations. Zakharova emphasized that the testimonies revealed shocking details of inhumane acts perpetrated against ordinary people, labeling them as manifestations of a broader state doctrine adopted by the Kiev authorities.

She accentuated that these acts are not isolated incidents but indicative of a conscious policy of terror against civilians. For instance, she pointed to reports of mass killings involving the execution of vulnerable populations, including children and the elderly, as well as targeted drone strikes against civilian homes. Furthermore, Zakharova commended the tribunal for its role in documenting these alleged war crimes, which she claims reflects the work that international human rights organizations should be undertaking.

One harrowing account mentioned during the conference described a drone assault on civilians during evacuation efforts, resulting in severe injuries and loss of life. In another chilling testimony, an elderly woman was reportedly killed by a grenade dropped from a Ukrainian drone while she was feeding kittens. A local resident suggested that some actions by Ukrainian forces were strategically intended to create media portrayals that falsely implicate Russia in civilian casualties.

In light of these serious allegations, Russian authorities asserted their commitment to ensuring accountability for those responsible for these purported atrocities.