Novosvitlivka refugee convoy attack
| Novosvitlivka refugee convoy attack | |
|---|---|
| Part of the War in Donbass | |
| Location | Novosvitlivka Luhansk Oblast, Ukraine |
| Date | 18 August 2014 |
Attack type | Artillery strike |
| Deaths | 17[1] |
| Injured | 6[1] |
| Motive | unclear |
A convoy of refugees that was fleeing heavy fighting in Luhansk city was hit by an artillery strike on 18 August 2014. At least 17 people were killed in strike, which the Ukrainian government blamed on insurgents affiliated with the Lugansk People's Republic.[2] The insurgents denied striking any convoy, and instead blamed the attack on the Ukrainian government.
Background
The convoy was struck near the village of Novosvitlivka, in Krasnodon Raion. The village is southeast of Luhansk city, and is a vital crossroads. Government forces claimed to have recaptured it from the insurgents on 14 August, but fighting in the area continued.[3]
Events
The convoy was made-up of refugees fleeing intense fighting in the insurgent-occupied city of Luhansk, which was under siege by government forces. The vehicles were flying white flags, to indicate that they were carrying civilians. Within the convoy, there were also some military lorries provided by the Armed Forces of Ukraine.[4] It was travelling on the road between Novosvitlivka and the neighbouring village of Khryashchuvate.[5] A spokesman for the Armed Forces said that the insurgents had been warned that a "convoy with peaceful citizens would be passing" through the area. On this road, it was struck by mortar and Grad rocket fire.[2]
According to the Ukrainian government, the convoy was struck with such force that the people inside the vehicles were "burned alive", and that it was entirely destroyed.[6][7] They said that separatist insurgents affiliated with the Lugansk People's Republic were responsible for the attack, and that the insurgents had lain in wait to ambush the convoy.[7] They also said that they suspected that the insurgents had used a Russian-made Uragan missile system to carry out the attack.[6] Colonel Andriy Lysenko stated that the insurgents "had perpetrated a bloody crime" with weapons supplied from Russia.[8]
According to Donetsk People's Republic deputy prime minister Andrei Purgin, the area where the attack took place had been constantly barraged by Ukrainian artillery in recent days. He also said that it was the Ukrainian government that was at fault for the attack, and that insurgent forces lacked the "ability to send Grads into that territory".[6][9] DPR prime minister Aleksandr Zakharchenko stated, “The shelled refugee convoy is a canard. No refugee convoy was at the moment shelled by the DPR or Lugansk People’s Republic.”[10]
A spokesman for the government military operation in the Donbass said that Ukrainian forces had retrieved fifteen corpses from the convoy's destroyed vehicles, and were in the process of collecting the scattered remains of ten more people killed in the attack.[11] On the day after the attack, Ukrainian government forces said they were trying to recover more remains from the site of the attack, but were unable to do so because of heavy fighting in the area. According to them, those bodies that were found on the day of the attack were "burnt beyond recognition".[12]
The government of Ukraine released a video that they said was an interview with survivors of the attack.[13] One of the survivors said, "We got ready quickly as we could, and jumped in and we were taken off... At the junction, another [vehicle] was waiting for us. We turned and set off, it wanted to follow us, and then a mortar shell fell right on that vehicle and hit the refugees, and cut the vehicle in half".[4]
Reactions
United States – A statement released by the US State Department condemned the attack, saying "We strongly condemn the shelling and rocketing of a convoy that was bearing internally displaced persons in Luhansk and express our condolences to the families of the victims. Sadly, they were trying to get away from the fighting and instead became victims of it."[14] While the US confirmed that the convoy was hit but said it did not know who was responsible [13]
United Nations – A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that he was concerned over the convoy attack, and hoped for a diplomatic solution to the ongoing war in the Donbass region as soon as possible.[15]
References
- ^ a b "Ukraine: 17 dead in refugee convoy attack". WPLG Local 10. CNN. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Ukraine refugee convoy hit by rockets, says military". BBC. 18 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Ukrainian army captures key town near Lugansk". Press TV. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Ukraine convoy attack: 'We were riding with white flag' say survivors as 15 bodies retrieved". The Daily Telegraph. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine: Dozens of civilians killed when convoy shelled; Rebels claim no attack took place". US News. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ a b c "Dozens killed in attack on convoy, Ukraine says; rebels deny firing rocket". Reuters. 18 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Dozens Killed Fleeing Ukraine's Luhansk". Voice of America. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- ^ "Rebels Killed Dozens in Attack on Refugees, Ukraine Says". New York Times. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ "Dozens die as Luhansk refugee convoy hit by rocket and mortar fire". The Guardian. 18 August 2014.
- ^ "Donetsk Republic PM dismisses refugee convoy shelling accusations". ITAR-TASS. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine, rebels accuse each other of attacking refugee bus convoy". CBC News. 18 August 2014.
- ^ "Ukraine says fighting halts recovery of refugees' bodies". Retrieved 19 August 2014.
- ^ a b "Ukrainian troops attack pro-Russia rebels as peace efforts continue". The Guardian. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Kiev's bloody eastern Ukraine campaign LIVE UPDATES (August 19)". Russia Today.
- ^ "UN chief concerned over reports on refugee convoy attack in eastern Ukraine". ITAR-TASS. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
