Russian Troops Kill 2 Ukrainian Teens; UN Blacklists Putin's Forces for Atrocities

KYIV: Recent reports from Ukraine revealed a tragic incident in which two teenagers were killed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast, as a result of Russia's ongoing conflict with its neighboring nation. The incident occurred on Sunday in the occupied port city of Berdiansk, where Russian troops allegedly took the lives of the two teenagers. The report suggests that Moscow suspected both individuals of planning sabotage against the Russian military.

Vladimir Rogov, a Russian proxy, claimed on June 25 that Russian troops had killed "two pro-Ukrainian terrorists," specifically mentioning one of the victims, Tihran Ohannisian. In response, Ukraine's Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed the deaths of the two teenagers later that day and identified the second victim as Mykyta Khanhanov. According to the report, both teenagers were just 16 years old.

This distressing incident took place only three days after the United Nations added Russian forces to its annual blacklist of countries that violate children's rights in conflict. The UN report, presented to the Security Council by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, expressed his profound dismay at the significant number of "grave violations" committed against children in Ukraine throughout 2022. Guterres also expressed shock at the frequency of attacks on schools and hospitals, concern over the detention of children, and troubled by cases where Ukrainian children were transferred to Russia.

The secretary-general called upon Russian forces to uphold their obligations under international law and the commitments they have made to protect children. This includes refraining from using schools and hospitals for military purposes, establishing mechanisms for accountability and reparations, and providing the UN with comprehensive information about all children residing in conflict-affected areas. Guterres further urged Russia to ensure that the personal status of Ukrainian children, including their nationality, remains unchanged.

The deportation of Ukrainian children has been an ongoing concern since Russia's invasion, prompting the International Criminal Court to intensify pressure on Russia. On March 17, the court issued arrest warrants for President Vladimir Putin and Russian children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova. The warrants accused them of abducting children from Ukraine, adding to the gravity of the situation.

The tragic deaths of the two teenagers in Berdiansk serve as a grim reminder of the human cost of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The international community, led by the United Nations, continues to condemn the violations of children's rights and emphasizes the urgent need for accountability, protection, and the cessation of violence. Efforts must be made to bring an end to this devastating conflict and safeguard the well-being of innocent children caught in its midst.

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