A comment by Matilda Bogner, Head of UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), on the occasion of 100 days since the Russian Federation began its armed attack on Ukraine

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU) has been able to verify the deaths of 4,183 civilians and 5,014 civilians injured, but we know that the actual numbers are considerably higher. 

Most of the civilian casualties recorded were caused by the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects. To date, we have documented the deaths of 3,524 civilians from the use of artillery and tank shelling, multiple launch rocket systems, missile and air strikes. 

The extent of civilian death and damage and destruction of civilian infrustructure, strongly suggests that there have been violations of international humanitarian law, some of which may amount to war crimes. 

The Mission has also documented the devastating impact of the war on other human rights. Among them we recorded unlawful killings, including summary executions, torture, ill-treatment, and conflict-related sexual violence. 

HRMMU has also recorded more than 230 cases of conflict-related detention and enforced disappearance, reportedly perpetrated by Russian armed forces and affiliated armed groups of self-proclaimed ‘republics,’ as well as 12 cases of enforced disappearance of civilians, reportedly perpetrated by members of Ukrainian law enforcement bodies. 

Parties to the conflict should put an end to civilian suffering, and fully respect obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law. 

By the end of June, our Mission will issue a report on the impact of the armed attack by the Russian Federation on human rights in Ukraine. The report will include recommendations to all parties to the conflict to prevent further violations and to promote accountability for the violations that have already occurred.