The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has documented numerous Russian attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine that could be war crimes, a spokeswoman for the commissioner said in Geneva on Friday.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), at least 26 health facilities had been attacked since the war began on February 24.

No fewer than 12 people have been killed and 34 injured, the WHO said.

The High Commissioner’s Office spokeswoman said: “Civilians are being killed and maimed in what appear to be indiscriminate attacks,’’ the spokesperson said.

Russian forces had used rockets and heavy artillery shells near populated areas and attacked from the air.

There were credible reports of cluster munitions being used.

“We remind the Russian authorities that directing attacks against civilians and civilian objects, as well as so-called area bombardment in towns and villages and other forms of indiscriminate attacks, are prohibited under international law and may amount to war crimes.’’

She reiterated that a building attacked in Mariupol a few days ago was a functioning maternity hospital.

Representatives of Russia say there was a camp of Ukrainian fighters in the building.

Seventeen civilians were injured in the attack, said the spokeswoman for the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Reports that three people were killed were still being investigated. 

(dpa/NAN)