WASHINGTON, October 21 (RIA Novosti) – There exists a clear and detailed evidence, indicating that Ukrainian government forces used cluster munitions during a recent attack in Donetsk, a senior researcher from Human Rights Watch (HRW) told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
"We have reported on the detailed findings at 12 locations, where we investigated the use of cluster munition rockets," Mark Hiznay said.
Each location, according to Hiznay, was plotted via GPS, photographed and videotaped, while witnesses were interviewed and weapon remnants were collected and documented. Hiznay also said the direction of each attack was recorded based on the direction of the impact of each weapon remnant.
In addition to providing proof regarding the impact, HRW also explored rocket trajectories.
"We have also investigated the flight path these rockets took to their target and documented the presence of misfired rockets, of the same type found at the scene of the attack, along this route as well as interviewed local residents who witnessed the launch of the rockets," Hiznay said.
Earlier, Deputy Director for the HRW Europe and Central Asia division, Rachel Denber, told RIA Novosti that the Human Rights Watch would be pressing the Ukrainian government to stop using cluster munition on its territory and against its people.
The Human Rights Watch released a report on Monday, saying that Ukrainian forces used cluster munitions in populated areas of Donetsk in October. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry dismissed the findings, saying they were not supported by enough facts.
In mid-April, Kiev launched a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine. Some 3,700 people have been killed and over 9,000 have sustained injuries since the beginning of the armed conflict, according to the latest UN estimates. On September 5, all sides agreed to a ceasefire at a meeting of the trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine in Minsk.
