On Saturday, January 17, Russian forces shelled the suburbs of Kherson. As a result of the attack, a 28-year-old volunteer, a representative of the public organization «Misto Syly» Yelyzaveta Chernyshenko, was wounded.
This is stated in the NGO’s appeal to international communities.
During the shelling the woman was in her own house and was preparing lunch. Shell fragments pierced the dwelling; some of them struck her leg and grazed her back.
“The first fragment — the spinal area, the second — the ribs and lungs. I feel like I was born lucky. This is probably my second birthday”, – the woman said.
Despite being in shock, the woman pulled the fragments from her body herself and called an ambulance. Medics stopped the bleeding and provided the necessary care. At present, her life is not in danger.
As a result of the shelling the volunteer’s house was damaged, in particular – the roof. A mobile repair crew is addressing the consequences of the strike.
The public organization «Misto Syly» stated that this incident is another act of Russia’s aggression against the civilian population and humanitarian workers.
“Attacks on volunteers are a direct violation of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Conventions, and qualify as war crimes”, — the NGO emphasizes.
The organization called on the United Nations, international human rights institutions and investigative mechanisms to record this case as further evidence of Russia’s systematic violations of the rules of war.