Russia targeted a shopping centre in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk on purpose, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has claimed, as he released a video showing a missile hitting the building.
In his regular nightly address, the Ukrainian president said it was “obvious” that was the case – adding Moscow had “wanted to kill as many people as possible” in an “act of state terrorism”.
He told the Ukrainian people he was providing a “piece of evidence” so that “no one dares to deceive” about what had happened.
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Mr Zelenskyy said: “The Russian missile hit this very object, purposefully. Obviously, that was the order.
“It is obvious that Russian assassins received such coordinates for this missile.
“They wanted to kill as many people as possible in a peaceful city, in a regular shopping mall.”
The president continued: “And for this act of state terrorism, as for all others, Russia will be responsible.
“On the battlefield in Ukraine, by the strengthening of sanctions and, of course, in the tribunal.”
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‘Russia wanted to kill as many as possible’
At least 18 people were killed and about 36 are missing following the incident.
Russia said the mall was empty, and it had struck a nearby arms depot.
But that assertion was contradicted by wounded survivors including Ludmyla Mykhailets, 43, who said she had been shopping there with her husband when the blast threw her into the air “head first”.
A man who was injured told Sky News that while he will be okay physically, he is “morally shocked”.
At a hospital we went to, 25 patients were being treated for injuries following Monday’s attack.
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Mall attack survivor ‘morally shocked’
G7 leaders have said the attack is a war crime.
During a summit in Germany, they said: “We, the leaders of the G7, solemnly condemn the abominable attack on a shopping mall in Kremenchuk.
“We stand united with Ukraine in mourning the innocent victims of this brutal attack. Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime.
“Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held to account.”