2024-04-22 03:33:34
This is not the first time that this illegal, merciless, but well-honed Russian military tactic has been used against civilians. Her goal is to do as much damage as possible and kill as many people as possible. Kyiv Independent writes about the history and consequences of this tactic
Oves’ team went to the site of the first strike in one of Zaporozhye’s largest residential areas to report on the damage to civilian infrastructure. As they prepared to interview residents, two more Russian missiles landed in the same area about two hours after the first strike.
This ruthless and illegal military tactic is called a “double whammy” attack.
Striking a building, waiting for rescuers and the media to arrive, and striking the same place again is a well-honed war tool of the Russian occupiers. It is directed against those who have come to put out a fire, help victims or record a possible war crime.
Since 2015 After using Syria as a “testing ground”, Russia began to terrorize Ukraine with “double whammy” attacks after a large-scale offensive. These attacks have become more frequent in recent weeks.
Russia’s “dual” attacks on Ukraine have killed and injured dozens of rescue workers, police officers, medics and journalists who should be protected by international law.
Experts believe that the increased number of “double strike” attacks may be related to Russia’s desire to affect the morale of Ukrainians, exhausted by more than two years of war, and to cause more damage to the country’s critical infrastructure, writes “Kyiv Independent”.
“Firing multiple munitions at a target is not unusual in and of itself, as it increases the likelihood that the target will be destroyed.” But if there is a time gap between the first strike and the subsequent strikes, the aim may be to kill people who arrive on the scene after the first strike,” explained John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies.
According to Kelly Grieco, an analyst at the Stimson Center who specializes in international security and air operations, if Russia had sought to ensure that it had destroyed the target, it is likely that the strikes would have been delivered in a shorter time frame.
“However, the regularity with which these strikes occur, roughly 30 minutes apart, shows that their goal is to do as much damage as possible and take as many lives as possible, including rescuers,” Grieco explained.
April 16 According to the data, since the beginning of the Russian invasion, a total of 91 employees of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine have been killed and another 351 injured, the spokesman for the service, Oleksandr Khorunzhyi, told the Kyiv Independent.
He said some of these casualties were the result of Russia’s “double whammy” attacks, but the exact number has yet to be determined.
The history of the “double strike” tactic
Ukraine is not the first country to suffer from Russia’s double strikes, as Russia has used the tactic extensively in Syria alongside the forces of Bashar al-Assad’s government. According to the Syrian Center for Justice and Accountability, between 2013 and 2021 In Syria, 58 “double” airstrikes were carried out, mainly targeting humanitarian aid workers, writes “Kyiv Independent”.
The volunteer organization “White Helmets”, rescuing civilians from the ruins of destroyed buildings, lost more than 300 volunteers during the war in Syria, most of them became victims of “double” attacks, in 2023. the group said in July.
There are many parallels between the wars in Ukraine and Syria. Testimonies about war crimes in Ukraine from 2022. compiled by Janine di Giovanni, a human rights reporter and researcher with more than 30 years of experience working in war zones.
“We should always remember what V. Putin did in Aleppo. Because there he used the same tactics that he himself determined and is now using in Ukraine,” explained J. di Giovanni.
According to Mr di Giovanni, a “double whammy” attack amounts to a war crime if it can be proven that the attack was deliberately aimed at civilians, including first responders, aid workers and journalists. This is prohibited by the Geneva Convention.
Reasons for intensification of attacks
The stepped-up Russian attacks coincide with an increasingly dire situation for Ukrainian forces on the battlefield, where they are struggling to hold their ground amid delays in Western military aid.
“The war has been going on for two years now. Ukrainians are tired. They are demoralized. They are very worried about getting more ammunition from the West. V. Putin uses it,” explained J. di Giovanni.
Meanwhile, large-scale Russian attacks on energy systems are taking place in Ukrainian cities, with 80% damaged or destroyed in March alone. thermal energy production capacity, writes “Kyiv Independent”.
In recent weeks, Ukrainian forces have carried out several successful drone strikes against Russian oil refineries and industrial facilities. Some experts speculate that Russia’s increased attacks may be “punishment” for strikes inside Russia, something Putin openly stated on April 11.
“The Russians have vowed to retaliate, and these ‘double whammy’ attacks appear to be part of their effort to deter the Ukrainians from more such attacks on their energy infrastructure,” analyst K. Grieco speculated.
Efforts to protect yourself
According to O. Khorunzhyi, the State Emergency Service has already begun to implement new instructions, including equipping rescuers with more advanced armor, improving the warning system and increasing the automation of rescue processes.
However, rescuers cannot afford to arrive at the scene of an attack only when the danger has already passed, “because in that case the essence of the emergency services is lost,” noted O. Khorunzhyi.
“When help is needed, if a person is bleeding under the rubble or needs to be rescued from a fire, no rescuer would wait for hours until the weather danger ends,” O. Khorunzhyi assured.
Despite the constant threat posed by Russia’s “double whammy” attacks in Ukraine, journalists are also determined to continue their work in the field.
“Of course, everyone tells us to be more careful. We also go to (frontline cities) Orichiva and Huliaipole… so you can never predict when you might be fired upon,” said K. Oves.
“However, when it is necessary to pass on information, especially after attacks that injure or kill people, how can we remain silent?” Oves said.
According to “Kyiv Independent” inf. prepared by Diana Kuklis.
2024-04-22 03:33:34