The team said it also visited 29 schools in the Donbass and Mykolayiv regions, in 22 of which investigators found evidence of soldiers currently or previously using the buildings for military activity, including discarded ammunition and vehicles. Under international law, parties are required – to the best of their ability – to avoid locating military targets in or near populated areas. “The Ukrainian government should immediately ensure that it deploys its forces away from populated areas or should remove civilians from areas where the military is operating,” Dr Kalamar said. “Soldiers should never use hospitals to engage in warfare and should only use schools or civilian homes as a last resort when there are no viable alternatives.” The group claims it submitted its research findings to Kyiv on July 29, but the Ukrainian government has yet to respond.
