Espreso. Global

Russia accused of using starvation "tactics" in Mariupol in 2022 - human rights activists

13 June, 2024 Thursday
12:25

Russia used "tactics of deliberate starvation" during the 85-day siege of Mariupol in early 2022, which constitutes a war crime

client/title.list_title

The Guardian reported the information, citing an analysis by Global Rights Compliance lawyers submitted to the International Criminal Court.

The report says that Russia and its leaders intended to kill and harm a large number of civilians. It is estimated that 22,000 people died during the encirclement and capture of Mariupol at the beginning of the war in Ukraine. 

A few days after the siege, civilians were left without water, gas, and electricity, and temperatures dropped below 10 °C.

Global Rights Compliance partner Catriona Murdoch said that the purpose of the study was to "to see if there was a broader narrative" that involves the deliberate denial of food and other necessities by the Russian military and its leadership - a strategy of starvation that could be called a war crime.

"What we could see is that there were four phases to the Russian assault, starting with attacks on civilian infrastructure, cutting out the supply of electricity, heating and water. Then humanitarian evacuations were denied and even attacked, while aid was prevented from getting through," Murdoch said.

According to her, the phased shelling of Mariupol demonstrated that Russia planned to capture the frontline city "without mercy" for its civilian population, which was estimated to be 450,000 before the full-scale invasion.

  • The advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, Petro Andriushchenko, said that the International Criminal Court could consider Russia's organization of famine and destruction of civilians in Mariupol.

Tags:
Read also:
  • News
2025, Tuesday
4 February
21:45
Gimli robotic complex joins Ukraine's army, aiding in evacuation and resupply
21:30
Exclusive
When could Ukraine hold elections after the war? Lawyer explains
21:12
Ryanair plans to resume flights to Lviv, Kyiv 4-6 weeks after war ends
20:57
Black Sea tankers wreck: IMO holds Russia responsible
20:40
"Don't let them drain resources": military commander reacts to Trump
20:23
Polish Military Institute of Armament Technology, Ukrainian NAUDI agree to cooperate
20:07
Exclusive
USAID funding freeze: Expert Riabtsev on potential risks for Ukraine’s energy sector
19:51
Exclusive
Trump's proposal to get rare metals from Ukraine is political move – analyst
19:35
"We are open to U.S. investments": Zelenskyy responds to Trump's statement on rare earth elements
19:08
Ukraine to introduce mandatory psychological aid training for doctors – First Lady
19:02
Updated
Russian ballistic missile strike on Ukraine’s Izyum kills 5, injures 52
18:50
Exclusive
Ukrainian forces may have to withdraw from Chasiv Yar – military analyst
18:33
Von der Leyen urges EU to find "most creative way" to use Russian assets for Ukraine
18:15
Exclusive
Western weapons can now strike deep into Russia, but new problem emerges
17:54
U.S., Ukraine did not discuss elections before 2025 — Ambassador Markarova
17:34
Updated
"The situation is critical": IAEA chief visits key substations vital for Ukraine's nuclear power plants
17:14
Russian national hockey team banned from 2026 World Championship
16:55
Ukraine’s HIV response at risk amid U.S. aid freeze
16:33
Support for military aid to Ukraine declines in Poland
16:15
Russia equips Gerbera foam drones with warheads
15:56
Ukraine’s parliament approves defense loan agreement with UK
15:32
Ukrainian troops release GoPro footage of repelling Russian assault, eliminating two squads
15:14
OPINION
Ukraine’s power sector withstands winter challenges, but risks remain
14:55
Ukraine’s embassy facilitates meetings between Zelenskyy, Trump teams — Ambassador
14:33
Hopes for Russian democracy met harsh reality – Ex-MP Kendzior on Ukrainian diaspora in 1990s
13:57
Review
Russian advance slows down, how Ukrainian Armed Forces approaches change. Serhiy Zgurets' column
13:35
U.S. firefighters document impact of Russian strikes in Ukraine, set to release second film
13:16
Exclusive
Ukraine takes key step in reforming Armed Forces management system – military expert
12:55
Norway provides significant aid to Ukraine but profits from war-driven revenues
12:34
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 15-22
Russian forces scale back assaults in Pokrovsk sector: Ukrainian officer explains why
12:14
Exclusive
Ukraine Russia war live map, January 22-29
Russian forces pushing to launch battle for Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region
11:51
Ukraine retakes positions in Kupyansk, Russian command threatens troops with execution for retreating
11:32
OPINION
Where will Putin and Trump meet?
11:15
North Korean troops no longer fighting in Russia’s Kursk region — South Korean intel
10:53
110 clashes reported at front as Russian forces launch over 6,000 attacks on Ukraine
10:34
Russian army continues to suffer heavy losses despite slowing offensive – ISW
10:13
Scholz calls Trump’s proposal to trade Ukrainian rare earths for U.S. aid "very selfish"
09:54
Russian overnight attack on Ukraine: UAV debris hits Kyiv high-rise, fires in Cherkasy
09:35
Russia loses 1,270 soldiers, 92 drones, 18 tanks in one day of war in Ukraine
2025, Monday
3 February
22:00
Nearly 63,000 people are missing in Ukraine
More news