Key facts
- Russia is waging two parallel wars in Ukraine.
- One war targets territorial conquest.
- The other war explicitly targets Ukrainian civilians.
- Missiles and drones are used in attacks on civilians.
- Attacks have destroyed schools, hospitals, and homes.
- These attacks are described as sustained war crimes.
- The attacks are not considered collateral damage.
Russia is engaged in a dual war strategy in Ukraine, encompassing both territorial conquest and a deliberate campaign targeting Ukrainian civilians. This second front of the conflict involves the use of missiles and drones to strike civilian infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and residential buildings. These attacks are not being framed as collateral damage but are described as sustained war crimes. The objective appears to be the infliction of widespread suffering and the erosion of Ukraine's capacity to resist.
The dual strategy suggests a coordinated effort to achieve military objectives through conventional means while simultaneously employing terror tactics against the civilian population. The destruction of essential services and homes aims to create a climate of fear and despair, potentially weakening public support for the war effort and the government.
This approach highlights a disregard for international humanitarian law, which prohibits direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects. The systematic nature of these strikes indicates a policy decision rather than isolated incidents, underscoring the severity of the alleged war crimes.