In the early hours of February 24, Russian military forces launched a series of attacks on Ukraine, employing Iskander-M ballistic missiles and approximately 133 strike drones, predominantly of the Shahed type, according to reports from the Ukrainian Air Force.
As of 08:30, preliminary data indicated that Ukrainian air defenses had intercepted or suppressed 111 enemy drones, including Shahed, Gerbera, Italmas, and others across various regions of the country.
Military sources confirmed that the attacks resulted in missile strikes and drone impacts at 16 locations, with debris falling at one site. The Ukrainian Air Force stated that the assault was ongoing, with several Russian drones still active in Ukrainian airspace.
Russian forces have consistently targeted Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure using a range of weaponry, including strike drones, missiles, and multiple rocket launch systems. These actions have drawn condemnation from Ukrainian authorities and international organizations, who classify them as war crimes.
The deliberate targeting of essential services and healthcare facilities aims to deprive civilians of electricity, heating, water supply, communication, and medical assistance, which some legal experts and human rights advocates argue constitutes genocidal behavior.
During the ongoing conflict, various acts have been cited as potential indicators of genocide, including public declarations by Russian officials questioning the existence of Ukrainians as an ethnic group, calls for their destruction, and systematic attacks on civilian infrastructure.
The 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide obligates its 149 signatory nations to prevent and punish acts of genocide during both wartime and peacetime.
This Convention defines genocide as actions intended to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group. Key indicators include the killing of group members, causing serious bodily or mental harm, and the deliberate infliction of living conditions calculated to bring about the group’s destruction.
Despite these allegations, the Russian government denies that its military is intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure or causing civilian casualties, asserting that its operations are focused on military objectives.
Recent attacks by Russian forces on Ukraine have involved ballistic missiles and drones, leading to significant concerns regarding civilian safety and potential war crimes. The Ukrainian government and international bodies have condemned these actions, framing them within the context of ongoing humanitarian crises.