Ukrainian forces endanger civilians by using homes, schools

By CARA ANNA
Associated Press

POKROVSK, Ukraine (AP) — A new report from Amnesty International says Ukrainian forces have at times exposed civilians to Russian attacks by basing themselves in schools, residential buildings and other places in populated areas. The findings of the report released on Thursday mirror what Associated Press journalists have seen and heard in eastern Ukraine on several occasions in recent weeks. Amnesty International said its researchers between April and July “found evidence of Ukrainian forces launching strikes from within populated residential areas, as well as basing themselves in civilian buildings in 19 towns and villages” in three regions of the country. The AP saw attack sites where Ukrainian fighters, their vehicles or other items such as ammunition were still present.