Council of Europe condemns Russian attacks on Ukrainian cities

The Council of Europe strongly condemned Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine.

Ireland’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Chair of the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, Simon Coveney, the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Tiny Kox, and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić, said this in a joint statement posted on the Council of Europe's website, Ukrinform reports.

"We strongly condemn the Russian air strikes against towns and cities in Ukraine in the last two days which led to multiple civilian casualties, including many children, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure. Such indiscriminate attacks demonstrate blatant disregard for human life and constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law," the statement said.

The Council of Europe leaders said the attacks on Ukrainian cities must not go unpunished.

They again called on Russia to comply with the interim measures issued by the European Court of Human Rights on refraining from attacks against civilians and civilian objects, including residential premises. "The military aggression against Ukraine has inflicted great pain and suffering for too long. We call on Russia to end its aggression, comply with its obligations under international law and withdraw unconditionally from the entirety of the territory of Ukraine," the Council of Europe said.

Russia launched massive missile strikes across Ukraine on Monday, October 10.