Report: Ukrainian bases in communities endangering civilians

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. Ukrainian officials denounced the report released Thursday as “unfair” and part of a “disinformation and propaganda campaign.” The human rights group 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 findings mirror what Associated Press journalists have seen and heard in the aftermath of several weapons strikes in eastern Ukraine in recent weeks.