Ukraine defends that preserving lives is its “absolute priority” after criticism from Amnesty International

Aug. 4 () –

The advisor to the Presidency of Ukraine, Mijailo Podoliak, has asserted that “preserving the life and health of all citizens” is his “absolute priority” in the context of the war, thus responding to the criticism launched by the NGO Amnesty International , which has accused the Ukrainian Army of carrying out combat tactics that endanger civilians.

“Ukraine strictly adheres to all laws of war and international humanitarian law. The absolute priority of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is to preserve the life and health of all citizens in the face of barbaric Russian aggression,” Podoliak said. .

For the Ukrainian representative, these types of statements questioning kyiv’s response to the Russian invasion are intended to discredit the country’s Armed Forces and harm the supply of weapons by Western powers, according to the UNIAN news agency.

Likewise, it has highlighted the latest decisions of the Ukrainian authorities on the evacuation of civilians from the Donetsk region. According to Podoliak, kyiv is “constantly” taking measures to “help Ukrainians move from the zone of hostilities to safer areas.”

“We help our citizens to travel to safe places for free, resettle and provide them with everything they need. This process continues and we continue to urge them to take the opportunity to evacuate and not risk their lives,” Podoliak stressed.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Reintegration of the Occupied Territories of Ukraine, Irina Vereshchuk, announced at the end of last week the start of preparations to order the mandatory evacuation of the region before winter given the almost total destruction of infrastructure of heating supply and constant fighting against Russian forces.

On the other hand, he has accused the Russian side of being the one who really carries out tactics that endanger the civilian population, since “it bombs residential areas more than 500 kilometers from the front, deliberately killing civilians and children.”

The NGO Amnesty International (AI) has denounced this Thursday that the Ukrainian troops are carrying out combat tactics that endanger the lives of civilians and that violate international humanitarian law by frequently operating in residential areas, including hospitals and schools.

AI Secretary General Agnès Callamard has warned Ukraine that “being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian Army from respecting international humanitarian law.” For the organization, there is evidence that the Ukrainian Army has launched attacks “from populated residential areas and have established themselves in civilian buildings in 19 towns and villages in the regions.”