Ukraine accuses Russia of war crime after latest brutal bombardment

Kharkiv, Ukraine - Ukraine accused Russia of committing a "war crime" during its weekend attack on the city of Kharkiv, as the US-backed ceasefire efforts continue to falter.

Ukraine accused Russia of committing a war crime after airstrikes hit the city of Kharkiv over the weekend, killing at least two people.
Ukraine accused Russia of committing a war crime after airstrikes hit the city of Kharkiv over the weekend, killing at least two people.  © REUTERS

Six strikes hit the northeastern border city overnight Saturday into Sunday, wounding personnel undergoing treatment at a military hospital and killing at least two people in a residential building, according to Ukrainian officials.

A spokesperson for the Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office, Dmytro Chubenko, confirmed two deaths and said another 30 people were wounded, including children.

According to the emergency medical services, the "massive attack" reduced one home to a fiery ruin and damaged other houses, office buildings, cars, and garages.

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The Ukrainian army said that a military hospital building and nearby residential buildings "were damaged by a Shahed drone."

"According to preliminary reports, there are casualties among the military personnel who were undergoing treatment at the medical center," it added.

Kyiv does not typically reveal information on military casualties and did not say how many soldiers were wounded.

It accused Russia of having carried out a "war crime" and "violating the norms of international humanitarian law."

Zelensky hits out lack of Russian response to US proposals

Russia has kept up its attacks on Ukraine despite US efforts to secure a ceasefire in the three-year-long war.
Russia has kept up its attacks on Ukraine despite US efforts to secure a ceasefire in the three-year-long war.  © REUTERS

The latest deadly strikes come as US President Donald Trump's administration continues to push for a speedy end to the more than three-year war.

Moscow has rejected a joint US-Ukrainian proposal for an unconditional and full ceasefire, while Ukraine has accused Russia of dragging out talks with no intention of halting its offensive.

"For too long now, America's proposal for an unconditional ceasefire has been on the table without an adequate response from Russia," Zelensky said in his evening address on Saturday, as Trump again threatened to impose more sanctions on Moscow if it kept up its attacks.

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"There could already be a ceasefire if there was real pressure on Russia," he added, thanking those countries "who understand this" and have stepped up sanctions pressure on the Kremlin.

Both Moscow and Kyiv agreed to the concept of a Black Sea truce following talks with US officials earlier this week, but Russia said the deal would not enter into force until the West lifted certain sanctions.

Putin has meanwhile called for a "transitional administration" as part of the peace process, reiterating his long-standing desire to oust Zelensky and install a more Moscow-friendly government in Kyiv.

Cover photo: REUTERS

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