How Russia is waging a war against humanity in Ukraine
The war in Ukraine has been raging for more than a year and a half, since Russia invaded the country in January 2022. The conflict has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions of people, and created a humanitarian catastrophe in the region. But Russia is not only fighting against the Ukrainian army and the people who want to preserve their sovereignty and democracy. Russia is also fighting against humanity itself, by deliberately targeting humanitarian workers and foreigners who are trying to help the people of Ukraine.
The attack on Road to Relief volunteers
One of the most recent and tragic examples of Russia’s brutality against humanitarian workers occurred on Sunday, September 10, 2023, when a van carrying four volunteers from the Road to Relief NGO was hit by Russian shelling near the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine. The NGO helps evacuate wounded people from front-line areas and assesses the needs of civilians. Two of the volunteers, Anthony Ihnat from Canada and Emma Igual from Spain, were killed in the attack, while Ruben Mawick from Germany and Johan Mathias Thyr from Sweden were seriously injured. The organization said it could not trace the whereabouts of Igual until hours later, when Spain’s acting foreign minister confirmed her death .
The attack on Road to Relief was not an isolated incident. According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 16 humanitarian workers have been killed and 41 injured since the start of the conflict in Ukraine. Many more have been harassed, detained, kidnapped, or denied access to the areas where they are needed. Russia has shown no respect for the principles of humanitarian law, which require all parties to a conflict to protect civilians and aid workers, and to allow safe and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance.
The drone attacks on Kyiv
Russia has also been using drones to target Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, and other strategic locations. On Sunday, over two dozen drones launched by Russia were shot down over Kyiv, according to the head of the city’s military administration. The drones were Iranian-made Shahed models and carried explosives. Debris from the drones landed in several districts of the city and wounded at least one civilian. One high-rise apartment was also damaged .
The drone attacks on Kyiv were part of a larger campaign of Russian air strikes that have targeted civilian infrastructure, such as bridges, power plants, water supply systems, and hospitals. These attacks have caused widespread damage and disruption, and have endangered the lives and health of millions of people.
The cyberattacks on Ukraine’s logistical lines
In addition to these physical attacks, Russia has also been conducting cyberattacks on Ukraine’s logistical lines, including those delivering food and humanitarian support. A top Ukrainian cybersecurity official said in March 2022 that Russian hackers were trying to disrupt the supply chains and communication networks of the country, as well as spreading misinformation and propaganda. These cyberattacks are mostly linked to Russia’s ground and air campaign, which aims to weaken Ukraine’s resistance and undermine its sovereignty.
The cyberattacks on Ukraine have also affected other countries that are involved in or sympathetic to the Ukrainian cause. For example, in April 2022, a massive cyberattack attributed to Russia targeted several European institutions and organizations, including NATO, the European Commission, and Amnesty International. The attack compromised their data and systems, and exposed their vulnerabilities.
The need for international action
The war in Ukraine is not only a threat to the security and stability of Europe, but also a threat to humanity as a whole. Russia’s actions are violating international law and human rights, and endangering the lives of millions of people. The humanitarian workers and foreigners who are risking their lives to help the people of Ukraine deserve respect and protection, not violence and intimidation.
The international community cannot stand idly by while Russia continues its aggression against Ukraine. It must take concrete steps to stop Russia’s attacks, hold it accountable for its crimes, and support Ukraine’s efforts to defend its sovereignty and democracy. It must also increase its humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine, who are suffering from the consequences of the war.
