Ukrainian Intelligence Service: This Is So Dangerous, Russia Opens Fire On Civilians

A fire is seen in a residential area in Mariupol amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, March 3, 2022, in this image obtained from social media. (Twitter @AyBurlachenko via Reuters/as)

JAKARTA - Ukraine's intelligence agency has accused Russian troops of shooting at a convoy of vehicles evacuating women and children from the village of Peremoha near the capital Kyiv. The incident killed seven people including one child.

Ukrainian Storm Intelligence said the convoy left the village independently and used a "green corridor" to escape to a safer place.

"This is very dangerous, because the Russian occupation forces opened fire on civilians", according to the Russian Intelligence Service, reported by Reuters from Antara, Sunday, March 13.

"We urge all residents who are in danger to follow the official information on evacuation routes and only use safe routes", added.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report and Russia had no comment.

Ukraine accused Russia of preventing evacuation from the conflict zone by not honoring the agreed ceasefire and opening fire on civilians.

Russia has denied that it has targeted civilians since the start of the invasion on February 24.

At least 351 people in Ukraine have been confirmed dead and 707 injured since Russian forces launched the offensive on February 24, although the actual figure is likely "much higher", the UN monitoring mission said Saturday, March 5.

Most of the civilian deaths were caused by the use of explosive weapons. , including firing from heavy artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems as well as airstrikes. As a result, the affected area has expanded, said observers from OHCHR.

OHCHR is the office of the United Nations high commissioner for human rights.

"OHCHR believes that the actual number (of casualties) is much higher, especially in Government areas and in recent days, as information acquisition from several war points is delayed and many reports are still awaiting confirmation", he said.

The mission said that allegations of hundreds of fatalities in Volnovakha had not been confirmed. In the city, safe evacuation routes are being worked out to get past the encirclement of Russian troops.