The "Double Tap" Horror: A Brutal Tactic Unveiled in Pokrovsk

In the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, the city of Pokrovsk became the latest victim of what military jargon calls a “double tap.” On a dreadful Monday evening, Russian missiles targeted residential buildings with a cold and calculated strategy: the first missile to draw emergency responders, and the second to wound or kill them.

The strikes killed at least seven people and wounded more than 80, including police officers, emergency workers, and soldiers who rushed to help. The Iskander missiles, equipped with an advanced guidance system, hit within 40 minutes of each other, according to Donetsk Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko.

Since the beginning of the war, Russia has used this tactic, striking targets and then hitting the exact same spot around 30 minutes later, often catching emergency teams responding to the first blast. The method is not new; Russians used it in Syria's civil war as well.

Among those injured was Volodymyr Nikulin, a police officer who arrived at the scene after the first missile strike. His experience was captured in a video sent to The Associated Press from his hospital ward, where he described it as "another awful crime" by Russian criminals.

In another video, he showed other wounded security forces in the ward, saying, “Look, these are Ukrainian heroes who helped (injured) people.” His courage and determination to help despite fearing a second strike epitomize the spirit of those on the ground.

The missiles caused extensive damage to buildings, including 12 multistory buildings, a hotel, a pharmacy, two stores, and two cafes. The regional governor detailed the damages, which extended even to a children’s playground, while the head of the Pokrovsk city administration described the attacks as “a typical Russian scenario.”

So what does this mean?

The "double tap" tactic in Pokrovsk illustrates a new level of brutality in modern warfare. By intentionally targeting first responders, it shows a profound disregard for humanitarian principles and the conventions of warfare. The attack has drawn condemnation from international bodies, with the U.N. humanitarian coordinator in Ukraine labeling it as a “serious breach” of international law.

The event also raises serious concerns about the ethical conduct of warfare. It emphasizes the importance of international scrutiny and the potential need for revised guidelines to protect those engaged in humanitarian assistance.

Moreover, it serves as a somber reminder of the human cost of conflict. The words and images shared by Officer Nikulin provide a glimpse into the pain, courage, and resilience of those facing the horrors of war daily. They call on us to reflect on the values that govern how wars are fought and remind us that behind every statistic, there are human lives and stories.