In a new report released by Human Rights Watch (HRW), Russian President Vladimir Putin is being urged to face a war crimes inquiry for the brutal assault on the Ukrainian city of Mariupol. The report analyzes the devastation caused by Moscow's siege on the city in 2022, which resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread destruction.

The international watchdog found that the assault on Mariupol involved the deliberate targeting and destruction of civilian buildings and infrastructure, potentially violating international humanitarian law. The report estimated that around 8,000 people lost their lives as a direct result of the fighting, although this figure is considered a conservative estimate.

Over a period of nearly two years, HRW and Ukrainian human rights group Truth Hounds conducted extensive research to document the efforts made by Russian authorities to erase Ukrainian culture from the captured city. This included restricting the movements of Ukrainians and imposing a pro-Kremlin narrative in schools and public spaces.

Russian forces encircled Mariupol just days after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, launching a months-long bombardment to break down Ukrainian military resistance. Located on the Sea of Azov in Ukraine's southeast, Mariupol witnessed some of the most intense and vicious fighting of the war.

The HRW report outlined the destruction of thousands of buildings, including high-rise apartment blocks, hospitals, schools, and universities by Russian forces. It also identified 17 specific Russian or Russian-affiliated military and national guard units involved in the assault, suggesting potential criminal responsibility among senior figures, possibly including President Putin.

This is not the first time Putin has faced accusations of war crimes. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has already issued an arrest warrant for him in relation to the unlawful abduction and deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.

HRW's report recommends that Putin and other high-ranking commanders be properly investigated and prosecuted for their alleged involvement in war crimes in Mariupol. It specifically highlights unlawful attacks and the hindrance of humanitarian aid and evacuations as areas of concern.

The report acknowledges the challenges of investigating war crimes in areas inaccessible due to Russian occupation. However, HRW and its partners have worked tirelessly for almost two years to expose the truth about the crimes committed by Russian forces in Mariupol.

The true death toll in Mariupol may be significantly higher than the estimated 8,000, as many remains may be buried under rubble or in makeshift graves. The report's conclusions are based on interviews with 240 displaced Mariupol residents, as well as an analysis of local records, satellite imagery, and photographs.

Mariupol, known as a symbol of Ukrainian resistance, became a prime target for relentless Russian attacks during the war. Concerns arose during the fighting that Moscow's forces would attempt to conceal evidence of possible war crimes in the city.

Following the city's fall, Russian-backed authorities launched an extensive campaign of Russification, imposing the Kremlin's narrative on the remaining population. The report reveals plans to rebuild the city in Moscow's image by 2025, stripping away markers of Ukrainian identity and enforcing a Russian school curriculum.

Residents with pro-Ukrainian sympathies are closely monitored, potentially facing difficulties when trying to leave the city. The capture of Mariupol marked a significant breakthrough for Russian forces after their initial invasion into Ukraine's center was repelled.

As the international community combats the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the HRW report's findings add weight to calls for accountability and justice for those affected by the war crimes committed in Mariupol.