Russia attacks a Red Cross vehicle and murders three NGO employees

The long-running series of Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine has claimed Red Cross employees today.

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The Ukrainian Parliament's Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, has denounced today that three Ukrainian citizens employed by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) were killed and two were injured in an artillery bombardment by the Russian Federation against the village of Virolyubivka, in the Donetsk region.

The ICRC has confirmed the killing of the three Red Cross staff, saying:

"The ICRC team was preparing to distribute wood and coal briquettes in Viroliubivka village to vulnerable households to help them prepare for the upcoming winter when the vehicles they were using were hit. ICRC teams are regularly present in the Donetsk region, and our vehicles are clearly marked with the Red Cross emblem."

The ICRC added: "The distribution of humanitarian assistance had not begun, and no residents were affected by the explosion."

Dmytro Lubinets and the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs have released these images of the vehicle attacked by the Russians, which was clearly marked with the emblems of the International Committee of the Red Cross. Attacks on clearly marked humanitarian aid or medical care vehicles are classified as war crimes under the Geneva Conventions.

This afternoon, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced this attack with these words:

"In this war, everything is absolutely clear — Russia sows evil, Ukraine defends life. If anyone wants to hear “both sides,” in Russia, it is only perceived as permission to kill again.

The world must respond firmly and with principle. Countries and international organizations cannot remain indifferent. Only together can the world force Russia to stop this terror and make Moscow seek peace."

This crime is not an exception in the way the invaders act, but a common practice since the beginning of the Russian invasion throughout Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Let us recall that two months ago Russia attacked a children's hospital in Kiev, killing 28 civilians and injuring 112. Russia must not only be expelled from Ukraine, but must also answer for these crimes, which deserve the unanimous condemnation of all civilized countries.