Drones document war crimes and expose positions and actions of Russian army in Mariupol

In Ukraine, drones document war crimes and play an important role in exposing the positions and actions of the Russian army in Mariupol.

Several aerial videos show us the city of Mariupol, in Eastern Ukraine, under heavy attack from the invading forces.

Moshe Schwartz who is a reporter for Yeshiva World News shared a number of drone videos on Twitter.

Schwartz shows us the important role that drones play in documenting war crimes as they are taking place.

Schwartz was able to geolocate a number of drone videos to help us understand what happened, when it happened and where it happened.

These aerial clips may end up playing an important role as evidence to prove that war crimes have indeed been committed by the invading Russian forces.

Examples of drones document war crimes

Let’s start with one of the most recent drone videos.

Om March 14th, Schwarts tweets, “I’ve geolocated this Drone Video which shows terrifying destruction this morning following a night of destructive shelling on the citizens of Mariupol, Ukraine.”

In the drone video, we can see how part of a residential apartment building in Mariupol is being hit by shelling or a rocket. The footage shows us the extent of the damage to the building and also how large parts of Mariupol are under attack from the Russian army.

Schwartz was able to geolocate the video. I have included the map below. It is not hard to see that he is spot on.

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d5237.867363009052!2d37.49725035194361!3d47.09528143104848!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xe8e4128cb1c47df7!2zNDfCsDA1JzQzLjAiTiAzN8KwMjknNTguMCJF!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1647539983928!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="800" height="600" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy"></iframe>

In another drone video, we can see Ukrainian forces attacking Russian units in Mariupol. Schwarts was able to geolocate this video as well. If you look closely at the Google Maps satellite photos and the drone video you will see the landmarks matching up.

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d1352.2199332330804!2d37.61510108677382!3d47.11346836023532!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x9e8d31cd14f8348!2zNDfCsDA2JzUwLjgiTiAzN8KwMzYnNTcuNSJF!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1647542107105!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="800" height="600" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Elsewhere in Ukraine

Schwartz shared the video below that shows a Russian Grad rocket launch system seemingly firing in a Southeastern direction, possibly towards Kharkiv as one of the commenters pointed out.

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d2528.403807021786!2d34.964681948683506!3d50.481194570659326!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0xa2f496d40f018826!2zNTDCsDI4JzUyLjEiTiAzNMKwNTcnNTcuMCJF!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1647539542349!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="800" height="600" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy"></iframe>

This drone video shows a Russian armored column being attacked by Ukrainian forces right outside Brovary, Northeast of Kyiv.

<iframe src="https://www.google.com/maps/embed?pb=!1m18!1m12!1m3!1d4885.055976071907!2d30.836393951998247!3d50.585559385399485!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!3m3!1m2!1s0x0%3A0x27d24fa61fa242ae!2zNTDCsDM1JzA4LjAiTiAzMMKwNTAnMTguOSJF!5e1!3m2!1sen!2sus!4v1647540202894!5m2!1sen!2sus" width="800" height="600" style="border:0;" allowfullscreen="" loading="lazy"></iframe>

Geolocating drone videos

Geolocating videos might seem like trying to find a needle in a haystack. However, once you know what to look for it is entirely possible to determine where exactly drone videos were taken. Of course, is helps when you have enough identifying landmarks.

The website Bellingcat, home of online investigations, posted an article on how to geolocate videos and images. It was written some time ago, but it still offers valuable advice to anybody who is willing to spend some time pouring over Google Maps.

Let us know what you think about these drone videos? How valuable do you think these clips are in establishing who did what, when, and where? Do you think these videos will end up being used to try and convict war criminals at a later point in time? Let us know our thoughts in the comments below.

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