Reactive Investigation into a Cluster Munitions Attack in Kharkiv, Ukraine

Project lead for the reactive visual and spatial investigation conducted by Amnesty International’s Evidence Lab during the three days after an alleged Russian attack using cluster munitions in a residential area of Kharkiv, Ukraine.

Our multimedia investigation was used in reporting by Vox, in a video that received 1.6 million views, and Radio France, among others. We used 3D modelling to combine videos obtained from open sources with witness testimony to locate reports of civilian fatalities and measure the footprint of the rocket attack.

On 28 February 2022 at approximately 12:30 local time (around the same time that peace talks were beginning at the border with Belarus), the apparent indiscriminate attack in north Kharkiv killed at least four civilians, including a child and three people collecting drinking water. At least 16 more people were injured. A verified image, first acquired by Bellingcat, shows that the attack included Russian-manufactured 300mm Smerch rockets with 9N235 cluster munitions. The 2019 manufacture date, after Russia stopped selling these arms to Ukraine, indicates that the attack was launched by Russia.

Read the original Twitter thread.