By Francois Murphy

VIENNA, Reuters – An initial report of the OSCE nations’ mission stated Wednesday that it found evidence of Russia’s war crimes and other crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

This mission was established by 45 OSCE member countries. It will investigate possible offenses, such as war crimes committed in Ukraine and pass information on to international tribunals. Russia opposed it.

The mission discovered clear IHL violations by Russian forces, according to the report. It cited failures to act proportionately, take precautions or leave behind schools and hospitals.

Russian denials aside, the report claimed that a march 9th attack on Mariupol Maternity House & Children’s Hospital was committed by Russia. The responsible parties had also committed a war crime.

Also, it stated that the massacre of 300 victims at Mariupol’s Drama Theatre (March 16), was a war criminal.

It stated that “the Mission cannot conclude whether Russia’s attack on Ukraine per se might qualify as a widespread, systematic attack directed at a civilian population.” This refers to the context where crimes such as murder and rape are crimes against humanity.

According to it, “It nevertheless holds that certain patterns of violent acts against IHRL (international Human Rights Law), which were repeatedly documented during the conflict like targeted killing, enforced disappearedance, or abductions for civilians… may meet this qualification.”

“Anyone could commit a violent act like this as part or all of an attack, knowing it would constitute a crime against humanity.”

While the mission found “violations” in Ukraine’s treatment of prisoner of war prisoners, it also stated that Russia’s violations were “far more severe in scale and nature”.