THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION CONTINUES THE PATTERN OF DISREGARD FOR ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW

I condemn, in the strongest terms, Russia's heinous wave of attacks on populated areas of Ukraine over the past few hours, which has left a path of destruction, death and human suffering. The strikes damaged homes, schools, hospitals, a shopping mall, a metro station and energy infrastructure, killing and injuring civilians in almost every region of the country. 

Right now, families and emergency services are trying to pull people out of the debris left by the destruction. For the Ukrainian people, this is another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality they are faced with, and which made 2023 another year of enormous suffering.

The Russian Federation continues the pattern of disregard for its obligations under international humanitarian law. Either indiscriminate attacks or attacks intentionally directed against civilians or civilian objects are strictly prohibited. 

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