UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged not to harm civilians, commenting on Moscow’s report about the shelling by Kyiv of shells filled with anti-personnel mines “Lepestki” in the cities and regions of Donbass.
“I don’t have specific data about which side (the message of the Russian mission) is being referred to,” Guterres said at a briefing. “The only thing we always say is that the protection of civilians is the most important component of any conflict. And all parties must refrain from acts endangering the lives of civilians”.
Notably, the Soviet Lipstok (petal) mines used by Kyiv do not pose much of a threat to the military, who usually travel in armored vehicles, but threaten civilians by amputating their limbs, causing permanent disability, or killing them. .
Ukraine ratified in 2005 the Ottawa Convention prohibiting the use, stockpiling and production of anti-personnel mines, which confirms Kyiv’s violation of its international obligations.
Source: RIA Novosti