Prosecutors of Luhansk regional prosecutor's office have opened a criminal case over shelling of the civilian population during a peaceful rally in Novopskov, Luhansk region, by the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

"On March 5, 2022, in the town of Novopskov, during a peaceful rally by local residents in support of the territorial integrity of Ukraine near the building of the district police department, the occupation troops of the Russian Federation, which temporarily occupied the territory, opened fire from firearms. Three civilians were injured," the press service of Luhansk regional prosecutor's office reported.

The actions of the invaders are assessed under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the rules of the warfare).

"These actions of the armed forces of the Russian Federation pose a direct threat to the life and health of the civilian population, contradict the norms of international humanitarian law, namely, Article 52 of Protocol I Additional to the Geneva Convention of August 12, 1949, concerning the general protection of civilian objects and Article 25 of Section I Part II of the Hague Convention of October 18, 1907, which concerns regulations respecting the laws and customs of war.

Pretrial investigation in criminal proceedings was entrusted to the investigative department of the third department of the Main Directorate of the SBU in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

Head of Lugansk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Haidai said that the wounded residents of Novopskov were hospitalized, their lives are out of danger, Channel 24 TV reported.

"The condition of the wounded is stable, nothing threatens their lives. They are in hospitals," he said.

Haidai also said that Russian troops were shelling the children's regional hospital.