For 14 days in April-May, the organization studied the circumstances of 41 Russian strikes on Kharkiv , which killed 62 and injured 196 people. In total, according to the Kharkiv OVA, more than 600 Kharkiv residents were killed and more than 1,200 were wounded during the war.

This is stated in the report of the international human rights organization Amnesty International, published on Monday, June 13.

“Russian forces have repeatedly launched devastating and indiscriminate strikes using internationally banned cluster bombs in populated areas, killing and wounding dozens of civilians. Men, women and children were killed and injured in their homes and on the streets, in playgrounds and cemeteries, standing in line for humanitarian aid or food, ”Amnesty International said.

For example, at least nine civilians were killed and more than 35 wounded – including several children – when Russian troops fired cluster munitions at and around Peace Street in the Industrial district, southeast of downtown. The attack took place in the afternoon of April 15, 2022. It covered an area of ​​over 700 square meters. 

Doctors at City Clinical Hospital 25 told Amnesty International that 31 people had been brought to the hospital. Two of them died of their wounds. And seven people died on the spot. Several other wounded civilians were reportedly taken to other hospitals. Among the injuries the doctors saw were penetrating injuries to the abdomen, chest and back. Doctors showed Amnesty International metal fragments that they removed from patients’ bodies. They corresponded to the types of pre-formed bullets found in 9N210 / 9N235 cluster munitions. This is a weapon that has been used repeatedly by Russian troops.

Unguided missiles from Hail and Hurricane, which Russia is widely using in the war against Ukraine, cannot accurately hit the target, Amnesty International said. Artillery shells often deviate from the target by more than 100 meters. In residential areas, where houses are only a few meters apart, the use of such missiles and conventional artillery inevitably leads to numerous civilian casualties and mass destruction of civilian infrastructure.