Men, arms, still pour into east Ukraine from Russia - U.N.

  09 December 2015    Read: 729
Men, arms, still pour into east Ukraine from Russia - U.N.
Arms and fighters are still pouring into rebel-held areas of eastern Ukraine from Russia, a United Nations report said on Wednesday, as it announced the death toll from 20 months of fighting was now approaching 9,100.
Killings, torture and lawlessness still prevail in the disputed region, the report by the office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights said.

A fresh ceasefire last August has led to a big drop in hostilities, particularly due to the withdrawal of certain heavy weapons by the Ukrainian military and pro-Russian armed groups from the contact line, it said.

It went on: "There remains, however, an inflow of ammunition, weaponry and fighters from the Russian Federation into the territories controlled by the armed groups, leaving the situation highly flammable."

"The absence of effective control of the Government of Ukraine over considerable parts of the border with the Russian Federation ... continued to facilitate an inflow of ammunition, weaponry and fighters to the territories controlled by the armed groups," it said.

Fighting between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russian rebels seeking independence from Kiev erupted in April 2014. Violence dropped significantly in September, but Kiev and separatists continue to report daily ceasefire violations and casualties as a result of enemy fire.

"The total death toll since mid-April last year is at least 9,098, with another 20,732 injured. Total figures include civilians, Ukrainian armed forces and armed groups," the U.N. report said.

The latest U.N. toll includes 47 civilians killed and 131 injured during the period covered from mid-August to mid-November.

Half of the latest civilian casualties were due to explosives and improvised explosive devices, the report said, and it called for extensive mine clearance as snow might soon cover booby-traps.

An estimated 2.9 million people living in the conflict area still face difficulties in gaining access to quality medical care, shelter, social services and benefits, as well as compensation for damaged, seized or looted property, it said.

U.N. human rights investigators documented cases of "enforced disappearance, arbitrary and incommunicado detention as well as torture and ill treatment of people suspected of trespassing against territorial integrity or terrorism or believed to be supporters of the self-proclaimed `Donetsk people`s republic` and `Luhansk people`s republic`."

"Elements of the Security Service of Ukraine appear to enjoy a high degree of impunity, with rare investigations into allegations involving them," the report said.

More about:  


News Line