By Ismail Auwal
The Ukrainian government has expressed gratitude to Nigeria and other countries for their support in the ongoing war with Russia.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the Defence Attache of Ukraine’s Embassy in Nigeria, Col Andrii Vasyliev, demanded more sanctions against Russia, claiming that it was planning a chemical attack on Ukraine and had committed war crimes.
He also claimed that the Eastern European country targeted children and that Russian soldiers raped women.
“By killing civilians, Russia continues to commit crimes against humanity as defined by the Statute of the International Military Tribunal and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,” Vasyliev said.
“Cynically disregarding all requirements of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.”
“According to these norms, intentional attacks on civilians who are not directly involved in hostilities are equated to war crimes.”
“As a result of Russia’s armed aggression in Ukraine, 115 children were killed and more than 140 were injured.”
Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights has been receiving complaints from Ukrainians about sexual crimes committed by the Russian military.”
He added, “Another confirmation of Russia’s preparations for a chemical attack against Ukraine has been found.
“The presence of chemists was detected in the occupation contingent of the Russian Federation.
“Thus, four days ago, as a result of a battle with Russian troops near Staromlynivka (south of Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk region), a large number of occupiers were killed.
“Among a large number of received documents of the Russian militaries the certificate of the officer of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation of narrow profile specialization named Aftayev Alexander Viktorovich was found.”
