US formally declares Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine
Full address: Zelenskyy calls on US Congress for more help -- 'Close the sky'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke with the U.S. Congress from Kyiv where his country continues to wage war with Russian forces in what officials call an unprovoked attack by President Vladimir Putin. Zelenskyy implored members of Congress to help institute a no-fly zone and continue to enforce additional sanctions until the Russian military stops its assault. After playing a video showing some of the damage in Ukraine, Zelenskyy spoke in English to reiterate how important his request was.
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Biden administration on Wednesday made a formal determination that Russian troops have committed war crimes in Ukraine and said it would work with others to prosecute offenders, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.
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"Today, I can announce that, based on information currently available, the U.S. government assesses that members of Russia’s forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine," Blinken said in a statement released as he was traveling to Brussels with President Joe Biden for an emergency summit of NATO leaders.
Footage shows Mariupol theater in ruins
Footage posted online on Thursday, March 17, shows vast destruction at the site of a theater in central Mariupol, Ukraine, that local officials said was used as a civilian shelter and alleged was bombed by Russia one day prior. (Credit: Azov Battalion via Storyful)
The assessment was based on a "careful review" of public and intelligence sources since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine last month, he said.
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America's top diplomat said the United States would share that information with allies, partners and international institutions tasked with investigating allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
"We’ve seen numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities. 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," Blinken said.
He cited attacks on the civilian population in the besieged city of Mariupol and elsewhere.