UN gravely concerned as Ukraine death toll rises

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said Friday it remains “gravely concerned by the rising death toll and human suffering in Ukraine” and called “for an immediate end to the attacks.”

“Civilians are being killed and maimed in what appear to be indiscriminate attacks, with Russian forces using explosive weapons with wide area effects in or near populated areas. These include missiles, heavy artillery shells and rockets, as well as airstrikes,” spokesperson Liz Throssell said in a statement, CNN reports.

The OHCHR said it had recorded 549 civilian deaths and 957 injuries since the invasion began, “although the actual figure could be much higher.”

“Schools, hospitals, and kindergartens have been hit – with hugely devastating consequences,” Throssell said.”

On March 3, 47 civilians were killed when Russian airstrikes hit two schools and several apartment blocks in Chernihiv and on March 9, a Russian airstrike hit a Mariupol hospital injuring at least 17 civilians, she added.

“We are still investigating reports that at least three civilians may have been killed in the airstrike.”

Sources in Mariupol, Throssell added, said the hospital was “both clearly identifiable and operational when it was hit.”

The OHCHR also received “credible reports of several cases of Russian forces using cluster munitions, including in populated areas,” said Throssell.