Allegations of “war crimes” in Russia’s military intervention in Ukraine continue to be discussed. While the statements that civilians died in Russia’s air strikes and that this was a war crime came one after another, the Russian side denies the war crimes allegations. Finally, there was a confession that could put Russia and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a difficult position.
“WE HIT CIVIL AREAS”
While Russia’s attacks on Ukraine have continued since February 24, first-class pilot Aleksandir Krasnayarzev, who was taken prisoner of a Russian warplane shot down by Ukrainian soldiers, confessed that they had struck civilian areas and addressed his colleagues. Krasnayarzev said, “I took part in combat flights on the territory of Ukraine. I flew 3 times, the third time I was shot down. We were told that we were working on military areas, but the coordinates given were for civilian settlements in Chernigov. On the other hand, we use uncontrollable bombs, causing more casualties. “After our air strikes, I saw with my own eyes that settlements were destroyed. A children’s hospital was hit in the city of Mariupol. I appeal to the Russian soldiers. Do not go to war against Ukraine. Do not kill children and women,” he said.
RUSSIA REJECTS THE ATTACK ON THE CHILDREN’S AND MATERNITY HOSPITAL IN MARIUPOL
Yesterday, the children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol, in southern Ukraine, was hit by Russia. After the event, which drew the world’s reaction, Russia denied the allegations of attack, arguing that it was a provocation attempt to increase anti-Russian opposition.
Spokesman of the Russian Ministry of Defense Igor Konashenkov said in a statement on the subject, “First of all, I would like to point out that the Russian Ministry of Defense declared a ‘regime of silence’ for the safe evacuation of civilians in the city yesterday. The Russian Air Force certainly did not perform any tasks aimed at hitting ground targets in the Mariupol area. The analysis of the statements made by the representatives of the ultra-nationalist regime in Kiev, the photos of the hospital, leaves no doubt that the alleged airstrike was a purely planned provocation aimed at fostering anti-Russian sentiments among the Western masses.
“The photos of the hospital grounds contain evidence of two separate mise-en-scene explosions near the hospital,” Konashenkov said. The nature of the exterior and interior damage to the building may mislead mass unprofessional audiences in Europe and the USA, where this mise-en-scène took place. But experts cannot be fooled. “Fugas type aircraft ammunition, even with the lowest power, would not leave anything from the outer walls of the building,” he said.
“WE WARNED THAT PROVOCATIONS WILL INCREASE AS THE CIRCLE SHINNER”
Claiming that the work at the hospital was stopped at the end of February and that this building was used by the nationalist groups and the Azov Battalion of the Ukrainian army, Konashenkov said, “Previously, all health institutions in Mariupol, including Hospital No. 3, stopped their normal work at the end of February. All staff and patients were expelled by ultranationalists. The hospital building has been transformed into a foothold for the ultra-nationalist Azov Battalion due to its convenient tactical location close to the city center.
Reminding that the nationalist groups in Ukraine will increase their provocations as the circle shrinks, Konashenkov said, “I emphasize that these crimes and other war crimes in Mariupol were committed by the punishers who remained trapped in the city. We have warned repeatedly that as the circle shrinks, Nazi provocations will increase. There is no place for them to run from,” he said.
“HEALTH VEHICLES ARE TARGET”
Claiming that Ukrainian nationalist groups and mercenaries sent from western countries attacked Russian doctors trying to help civilians, Konashenkov said, “In recent days, mercenaries and Ukrainian nationalists coming to Ukraine from the USA, England and Europe, attack Russian doctors and private medical vehicles more frequently. . “The Nazis are targeting health vehicles with the ‘red cross’ symbol on the ambushes they set up,” he said.
RUSSIA DESTROYED 2,998 MILITARY FACILITIES IN UKRAINE
Konashenkov, giving figures on the casualties inflicted on the Ukrainian army in the military operations of the Russian army in Ukraine, said, “As a result of the attacks on the military infrastructure of Ukraine, 2 thousand 998 military facilities were destroyed. During the day, aircraft of the Russian Air Force destroyed a total of 68 elements, including 2 elements of the command and control system of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, 12 logistics facilities and 3 Osa anti-aircraft missile systems. Russian air defense systems destroyed 1 MiG-29 aircraft, 3 unmanned aerial vehicles and 1 Toçka-U tactical missile in the air. Since the beginning of its operation, the Ukrainian side has lost 98 aircraft, 110 UAVs, 144 anti-aircraft missile systems, 88 radar station points, 1,7 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 109 multi-barrel rocket launchers, 374 field and mortar shells, 793 special military vehicles. said.
ZELENSKY DEFINED A WAR CRIME
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the shooting of the children’s and maternity hospital in Mariupol as a war crime.
(UAV)