Russian troops fire on column of women and children in Kyiv region. Casualties reported

“During an attempt to evacuate from the village of Peremoha, Baryshivka district, Kyiv region, towards the village of Hostroluchchia along the agreed ‘green corridor’ on March 11, Russian troops opened fire on a column of civilians consisting only of women and children,” the Chief Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine posted on Facebook.

The shelling killed seven people, including one child. The number of wounded is being clarified.

After the shooting, the Russian invaders forced the rest of the column to return to the village of Peremoha and did not let them out of the village. At present, it is almost impossible to establish contact with them, as well as provide humanitarian and medical assistance.

As the Chief Directorate stressed, the protection of civilians during armed conflicts is regulated by international humanitarian law, in particular the 4th Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

According to these norms, intentional attacks on civilians, who are not directly involved in hostilities, are tantamount to a war crime.

On March 12, Ukraine opens humanitarian corridors to Mariupol, the town of Polohy, and a number of populated localities in Kyiv and Sumy regions.

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