PENTAGON: Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday Russian forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine and that the U.S. will work to hold Russia accountable.
“We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities,” Blinken said, adding that many of the apartment buildings, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure hit “have been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians.”
The assessment was based on a careful review of public and intelligence information gathered since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month, according to the secretary.
Blinken traveled with U.S. President Joe Biden to Brussels Wednesday to meet with NATO and European allies on Thursday. Before his departure, Biden warned of Russia’s potential use of chemical weapons against Ukraine.
“I think it’s a real threat,” the president told reporters as he left the White House.
Biden administration officials have previously sounded the alarm that Moscow could use chemical weapons in Ukraine and blame the Ukrainians for their use as part of a false flag operation to justify the Russian invasion.
The president has previously warned that Russia would pay a severe price if it launched a chemical weapons attack but hasn’t specified what that response would involve.
Russia has repeatedly rejected accusations of war crimes.
Biden is expected to announce a new round of sanctions against Russia on Thursday, which marks one month since its invasion of Ukraine.
(VOA)
Comment