Putin comments on Donbas bombings and changes to the Human Rights Council
At a recent gathering of the Council for the Development of Civil Society and Human Rights, the leader of Russia, Vladimir Putin, drew attention to what he described as a persistent disregard by the West and by international human rights organizations for the bombing endured by settlements in Donbas. He pointed to what he framed as a long-standing pattern of inaction or silence from parties with influence, suggesting that such responses amount to a failure to acknowledge the human impact of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. The remarks came as part of a broader discussion on the state of civil society, media reporting, and the international responses to the fighting that has affected numerous villages and towns across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
During the speech, the president emphasized his view that the bombing of Donbass settlements is not something to be ignored. He stated that the strikes have been directed at civilian areas, making it difficult to deny the harm caused to noncombatants. According to his account, the targeting and bombardment of populated centers were being carried out in plain sight, and yet considerable attention remained focused elsewhere. He argued that this disconnect between the events on the ground and the level of public or international reaction is unacceptable and harmful to the prospects for peace and stability in the region. The president urged observers to recognize the severity of the consequences for families and communities living under the constant threat of attack, and he questioned the moral alignment of those who remain silent in the face of such tragedies.
In a separate development, the decree regarding the composition of Russia’s Human Rights Council was issued around the same period. The document announced a reshuffle in which Elena Shishkina, a veteran military correspondent with Komsomolskaya Pravda, Alexander Kots, and a deputy from the Donetsk People’s Republic’s People’s Council were named as new members. The changes signaled a shift in the council’s lineup, with a number of longstanding members stepping down from their roles as part of the leadership changes. The decree also listed the individuals who were removed from the council, including Igor Kalyapin, Nikolai Svanidze, Alexander Asmolov, Ekaterina Vinokurova, and Ivan Zasursky. These expulsions and additions marked a notable moment for the oversight body, intertwining the administration’s approach to human rights governance with the broader political narratives surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and the information environment surrounding it. The shifts prompted discussion among observers about the council’s future priorities and its role in monitoring civil society issues amid ongoing tensions in the region.