The Russian military is now likely placing more strategic assets near civilian areas to prevent Ukraine from attacking them with long-range missiles. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported this after Moscow complained about a recent attack using US-supplied Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) that killed four people on a Sevastopol beach. This report comes as Western allies have gradually permitted Kyiv to strike deep into Russia using their donated weapons. According to the ISW, the invading forces have previously utilized this strategy by placing military targets near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant and schools to serve as “shields.” With this deliberate act, Russia is reportedly breaking its own humanitarian law, which states that military commands must refrain from placing assets in or near densely populated areas.
Recent Attack: On Sunday, the Russian defense ministry said five ATACMS reached civilian areas in occupied Crimea where Moscow has its Black Sea Fleet headquarters. Four of the missiles were reportedly intercepted, while the fifth deviated from its trajectory and exploded midair over the city. The ministry claimed that the weapons had cluster warheads and the fragments injured more than 20 civilians. Moscow blamed the US for the deadly attack because it supplied the missile with cluster munitions.
Alleged Violations: Since the invasion began in February 2022, Russia has allegedly committed numerous war crimes, including murders and unlawful attacks against civilian targets. In August 2023, Russian shelling in the southern Ukrainian region of Kherson killed seven people, including a newborn baby. Moscow’s troops have also been using chemical weapons in Ukraine in violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
