The Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) calls the attention of the international community to the continued build-up by the Russian Federation of significant military technology in Crimea and the escalation of military activity in Eastern Ukraine.
Crimea is a very strategic location from which the Russian Federation can further pursue its imperialist ambitions. In a new military doctrine announced at the end of 2014, the Russian Federation elevated Crimea into one of its three main geopolitical priorities. As the Russian Federation continues to fortify its control over information and pursue the militarization of Crimea, the local population will continue to be more and more isolated, and extremely vulnerable.
In Eastern Ukraine, there were 69 civilian casualties in June 2016, including 12 dead and 57 injured. In July 2016, the number of civilian casualties increased with 73, including 8 dead and 65 injured. According to the UN Human Rights Office: “The monthly average for June and July this year, at 71, was more than double the monthly average of 34 in the nine months between September 2015 and May 2016”.
“It is critical for the international community to strengthen the sanctions against the Russian Federation until it withdraws its military forces and equipment from the territory of Ukraine, de-occupies Crimea and stops hindering the work of international monitoring organizations who can help protect the rights of innocent civilians,” stated UWC President Eugene Czolij.
