Rising Attacks on Civilian Infrastructure
Recent years have seen military conflicts expand globally, from Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the US-Israeli war on Iran. Throughout these hostilities, there has been a trend of increasingly brazen violations of the foundational norms of armed conflict, according to an analysis by the Center for a New American Security and Inkstick Media. A particularly concerning area is the rise in attacks on civilian infrastructure, many of which do not fulfill the criteria for legitimate military targets.
The analysis points to recent Ukrainian strikes on Russia's Wildberries e-commerce warehouses as an example of this trend. It warns that if such attacks continue, the power of the norm against targeting civilian infrastructure will erode further, paving the way for more escalatory actions.
Examples from Iran, Lebanon, and Sudan
The same analysis notes that this year alone, US-Israeli strikes have hit a slate of civilian sites in Iran, while Israeli bombings in Lebanon have targeted roads, bridges, and hospitals that Israel's government insists are military sites. In Sudan, both sides in the ongoing war have targeted schools, medical facilities, dams, and displacement camps. The main consequence of these attacks, the analysis states, is more death and misery for innocent civilians.
UN Call for Compliance with International Law
As death tolls continue to rise, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric recently called for an end to "attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure," describing them as "a clear violation of international humanitarian law, wherever they occur." This call underscores the international community's concern over the erosion of legal norms protecting civilians in conflict zones.
Ukraine Conflict Highlights Violations
Throughout the war in Ukraine, Moscow has repeatedly attacked civilian targets, according to the analysis. These assaults come amid a broader pattern of violations of international law dating back to the 2014 annexation of Crimea. Specific incidents include attacks on medical facilities, such as children's hospitals, as well as sabotage of civilian water supply. The International Criminal Court has formally declared some Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, such as electric power plants and sub-stations, to be war crimes.
Ukraine's Strikes on Wildberries
The analysis also details Ukraine's strikes on Wildberries warehouses, which reportedly killed at least eight civilians and injured dozens more. The strikes destroyed half of the company's facilities, comprising a third of its total storage capacity. Ukraine justified the attacks by arguing that Wildberries markets items for Russian soldiers, including body armor, helmets, and drone attachments. Additionally, Ukraine explicitly acknowledged its intention to damage the morale of Russian citizens.
Russian Threats and Reactions
In response, Russia has threatened consequences for the United Kingdom because it provides attack drones to Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that Ukraine's strikes on economic targets have opened "Pandora's box," indicating a potential escalation in the conflict. These developments highlight the volatile nature of the situation and the risks of further violations of international norms.