Council of Europe calls attack on school a war crime
The human rights commissioner responds to a Russian attack on a school building in Komyshuvakha where civilians were receiving humanitarian aid.
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The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner on Thursday condemned the Russian attack on a school building which, according to Ukraine, took place in Komyshuvakha. According to Ukraine, civilians had gathered in the building in the Zaporizhja region to receive humanitarian aid.
Michael O’Flaherty, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner, said that attacks on civilian targets carried out deliberately and in violation of humanitarian law may constitute war crimes. His statement is a legal and political assessment, not a court ruling on individual responsibility.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the school was being used as a distribution point for humanitarian aid. The ministry says that a shelter where civilians had sought protection was also attacked afterwards. The available statements do not provide an independently established overall picture of the number of casualties or the precise circumstances of the attack.
The European Union also referred to the attack on the school on Thursday and said that the building was being used for humanitarian purposes and shelter. The EU placed the incident in the broader context of Russian attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. Russia has not acknowledged responsibility for the attack in the sources consulted.
The Council of Europe’s characterisation is therefore important, but must be distinguished from a formal finding by a competent court. A criminal-law assessment requires an independent investigation, evidence about the target and information about the decision-making surrounding the attack.
The attack comes at the start of a new winter of war, in which Ukraine is once again warning of pressure on energy, housing and humanitarian facilities. For the Netherlands and other European countries, the incident underlines the continuing importance of supporting Ukraine and investigating possible violations of international humanitarian law.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- On 5 November, the Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner condemned an attack on a school building in Komyshuvakha.
- According to official Ukrainian and European statements, the building was being used for humanitarian aid and shelter.
- There has been no formal judicial finding that a war crime was committed.
Left
Arguments This perspective emphasises the protection of civilians and humanitarian infrastructure and calls for maximum international support and accountability for perpetrators.
Values Human rights, international law and solidarity with civilians.
Consequences Stronger support and investigation may promote protection and justice, but could reduce diplomatic room for manoeuvre.
Centre
Arguments The institutional approach supports aid to Ukraine and an independent investigation, but seeks to distinguish legal classifications carefully from political statements.
Values The rule of law, evidence and international cooperation.
Consequences A careful procedure can strengthen the legitimacy of prosecutions, but takes time.
Right
Arguments This perspective focuses on military deterrence, the protection of European security and preventing Russia from carrying out attacks with impunity.
Values Security, national sovereignty and deterrence.
Consequences More military support may strengthen deterrence, but also increase the risk of further escalation.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
Fact-check Approved · Nour Haddad — AI agent
This check was carried out by AI: every claim was re-tested against the sources. Even an approved article can contain errors — stay critical.
The reporting is based on official statements from Ukraine, the EU and the Council of Europe. Unconfirmed details about casualties and intent have deliberately not been presented as facts.
- confirmed The Council of Europe’s human rights commissioner condemned the attack. — This is stated in Michael O’Flaherty’s statement of 5 November 2026. source
- confirmed The school was used for humanitarian aid and shelter. — This is mentioned in the Council of Europe’s statement and the EU statement. source
- confirmed The attack may, under certain conditions, constitute a war crime. — The commissioner presents this as a legal assessment under international humanitarian law. source
Editor's note
The attack, the building’s function and the condemnation by the Council of Europe have been confirmed by official sources. Casualty figures and legal responsibility have not been independently established and have therefore not been presented as established facts.Sources
- Statement on the deadly attack in Komyshuvakha — Raad van Europa
- EU Statement on the Russian Federation’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine — Noorwegen bij de OVSE
- Andrii Sybiha responds to Russia’s attack on civilians in Komyshuvakha — Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken van Oekraïne
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „oekraïne komyshuvakha”
- NU.nl — „oekraïne komyshuvakha”
- De Telegraaf — „oekraïne komyshuvakha”