Russian forces force civilians toward gas pipeline near Kupiansk, then fire on them, Ukraine says
Ukraine says Russian troops forced a group of civilians toward a gas pipeline near Kupiansk, used them as human shields and then shelled them, causing casualties.
According to Ukraine's 13th Kharkiv Corps, Russian soldiers herded a mixed group of civilians—including two women, a child and several men—toward the Shebelinka-Ostrogozhsk gas pipeline near the front-line city of Kupiansk in Kharkiv Oblast on Oct. 13. As the column moved, it was repeatedly hit by mortar and artillery fire. Ukrainian reconnaissance drones recorded injuries among the civilians, and impact analysis placed the origin of the strike on the eastern bank of the Oskil River, where Russian forces are positioned.
Kyiv's Joint Forces grouping said Ukrainian troops did not fire and labeled the attack a deliberate provocation, cautioning that Russia could use the video to falsely blame Ukraine. The corps announced it will submit the material to a war-crimes investigation, emphasizing the tactic of using civilians as human shields followed by targeting them for propaganda purposes.
Why it matters
It highlights alleged war-crime tactics and potential propaganda, raising concerns about civilian protection in the Ukraine conflict.
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