Amnesty International accuses Ukraine of violating international law

Ukrainian troops violate international legal norms and military law by placing weapons in schools and hospitals in cities and putting civilians at risk, according to a report by the human rights organization Amnesty International.

"We have documented cases where Ukrainian forces endangered the civilian population and violated military law when operating in populated areas... Being in a defensive position does not exempt the Ukrainian military from complying with international humanitarian law," Agnes Calamar, Secretary General of the organization, is quoted in the report as saying. 

According to the report, Ukrainian forces "cause harm to the civilian population using weapons systems in populated areas, including schools and hospitals." The report notes that this violates not only military law, but also international humanitarian law.