Blinken says ‘numerous credible reports’ of Russian war crimes in Ukraine

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says the US has seen “numerous credible reports” of possible war crimes during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the US government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine,” Blinken says in a statement. “We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities.”

“Since launching his unprovoked and unjust war of choice, Russian President Vladimir Putin has unleashed unrelenting violence that has caused death and destruction across Ukraine,” he says.

“Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded. Many of the sites Russia’s forces have hit have been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians,” he adds.

Blinken says the US government will continue to track reports of war crimes and is “committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions.”