The HRL verified damage through cross-corroboration of very high resolution satellite imagery and open source information. Based on a review of nearly 300 facilities across five cities and regions, the HRL has concluded that Russia-aligned forces have engaged in widespread and systematic bombardment of Ukrainian healthcare facilities.
The HRL verified visible damage at approximately eight percent of the 277 facilities. The total assessment classified facilities as sustaining “no visible,” “minimal,” “partial,” “significant partial,” or “total” damage based on available satellite imagery at the time. The initial report does not attempt to determine whether an individual incident of a healthcare facility being bombarded is the result of indiscriminate fire or intentional targeting. It is important to note that both indiscriminate and intentional targeting of healthcare facilities can constitute a war crime.
The HRL classified levels of damage based on satellite imagery analysis. Based on damage visible in satellite imagery captured between 24 February and 29 March 2022, three (3) healthcare facilities sustained total damage while nineteen (19) facilities sustained significant, partial or minimal damage. Eleven (11) facilities were classified as having surrounding visible damage.
The HRL’s full report was provided to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism mission of experts. Due to the report’s granularity and the potential use of sensitive information for targeting purposes, only a summary (attached) and examples of annotated imagery depicting damage to seven (7) of these health facilities are being released publicly. The full report will be made available as needed to international accountability mechanisms.