Russia blocks access to affordable medicines and hospitals in occupied areas
Minister of Health of Ukraine Viktor Liashko has accused Russian authorities of committing a crime against humanity by blocking access to affordable medicines in areas its forces have occupied since invading the country five months ago.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Viktor Liashko said Russian authorities repeatedly blocked efforts to provide state-subsidized drugs to people in the occupied cities, towns, and villages.
“Throughout the entire six months of the war, Russia has not [allowed] proper humanitarian corridors so we could provide our own medicines to the patients that need them,” Liashko said, speaking at the Health Ministry in Kyiv on August 12, 2022.
“We believe that these actions are being taken with intent by Russia, and we consider them to be crimes against humanity and war crimes that will be documented and will be recognized,” the minister said.
The World Health Organization said it recorded 445 attacks on hospitals and other health care facilities as of August 11, 2022, that directly resulted in 86 deaths and 105 injuries.
