The European Center for Constitutional and Human Rights (ECCHR) conducted a legal assessment of the Russian attack on the Mariupol Theater in Ukraine and claimed the incident to be a “war crime”. The ECCHR identified the Russian Air Force as having performed this atrocity targeting Ukrainian civilians taking shelter in the theater.
In working closely with the Center for Spatial Technologies, the ECCHR analyzed the attack on the Mariupol Drama Theater in detail. According to their report, based on extensive research entailing eyewitness accounts and technical evaluations, the attack likely constitutes a war crime committed by Russian forces. Regardless of Russian authorities denying involvement and pointing fingers at Ukrainian forces, the evidence strongly indicates the role of a Russian airstrike directly aimed at the civilian theater.
The report further argues that the deliberate decision to strike a civilian shelter, visibly marked with “CHILDREN” signs, exhibits awareness of civilian occupancy and a duty to prevent civilian casualties. Additionally, the ECCHR suggested the attack could also qualify as a crime against humanity, considering the widespread context of civilian harm in Mariupol.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commemorated the second anniversary of the attack by sharing a post on his personal Twitter account, where he emphasized the global need to remember “everything Russia has done to Ukraine and Ukrainians” and ensured that “each Russian murderer must be held accountable for their actions.”
The Mariupol Theater Bombing took place on March 16, 2022, amidst the Russia-Ukraine War. The theater in Mariupol, Ukraine, was hit by Russian airstrikes, resulting in considerable casualties, including civilians who were seeking refuge from the ongoing confrontation. Following these tragic events, international uproar bubbled over, pushing for an end to the brutalities propagated throughout Ukraine.
The detailed information of this report can be read on the JURIST – News.