Russia-Ukraine Flash Report 17 AUG 2022 13:45 PDT - Punitive Attack on Kharkiv
Added 2022-08-17 20:33:33 +0000 UTCIn the August 16 Situation Report, we predicted that Russia would launch retaliatory strikes on civilians and civilian infrastructure after the destruction of the Maiske ammunition depot in Russian-controlled Crimea and the 2nd Army Corps command and control base in Lysychansk.
In the Saltivka District of Kharkiv, Russian missiles completely destroyed an apartment block. Initial reports claimed six killed and over a dozen injured. The situation appears to be much worse.
Pro-Russian social media account Rybar claimed the building (or one in the area) was housing foreign mercenaries, and they have started to provide coordinates in their updates of what they believe are Ukrainian military assets. Even if the information is true, this is a breach of every ethical standard in journalism. We cannot validate the veracity of the claim, and someone observing foreigners entering and exiting a building does not mean they are mercenaries.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has already quoted the Amnesty International Report to justify other attacks and as an argument to maintain control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
Words have consequences.
