Russian troops have allegedly shelled a nursing home in Ukraine, killing 56 people.
A tank allegedly opened fire at the old people's home in what Ukrainian authorities are calling a "cynical and "deliberate" attack.
It is thought to have happened in the small city of Kreminna - which is in the pro-Russian region of Luhansk.
The shocking incident is said to have taken place in the small city of Kreminna in the breakaway pro- Russian region of Luhansk.
It is further alleged that 15 survivors were abducted by Russian troops and taken to Svatove, an occupied city 25 miles away.
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It is alleged the attack happened on March 11 but is only coming to light now because Ukrainian authorities have been unable to reach the nursing home.
These claims have not been independently verified but if it is true then it could be seen as a war crime by Russian troops.
Ukraine's State Service of Special Communications tweeted: "56 people were killed in Kreminna, Luhansk Oblast - the occupiers shot from a tank (a) home for the elderly.
"Russians fired at it. Cynically and deliberately. They adjusted the tank, put it in front of the house, and started firing."
The statement went on: "Those who lived to their old age in the house - 56 people - died on the spot. The survivors, 15 people, were abducted by the occupiers and taken to the occupied territory in Svatove to the regional geriatric boarding school."
In a separate statement on Telegram, Serhiy Haidai, governor of the Luhansk Regional State Administration, said: "It is still impossible to get to the site of the tragedy."
It was shared by Olexander Scherba, Ukraine's former ambassador to Austria.
He tweeted: "Absolute horror in Kreminna near Luhansk.
"On March 11, (a) Russian tank approached the local senior home and fired multiple shots. 56 civilians dead - Luhansk governor."
Vladimir Putin's government has repeatedly denied claims that his forces are deliberately targetting civilians despite widespread images of hospitals and schools being bombed.
Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister warned today that Putin is waging genocide in Ukraine.
Olha Stefanishyna spoke out as her President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia's siege of the port city of Mariupol was "a terror that will be remembered for centuries to come".
Weeks into war , Russia ’s defence ministry said it had struck Ukraine with cruise missiles from ships in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, and launched hypersonic missiles from Crimean airspace.
The city council in Mariupol said Russian forces bombed an art school where about 400 residents had taken shelter.
There was no immediate word of casualties, and Reuters could not independently verify the claim. Russia denies targeting civilians.
Asked if she believed it was a genocide, Ms Stefanishyna told Sophy Ridge On Sunday on Sky News: "I absolutely believe it. I am a lawyer myself and I commit myself to implementation of the decision."
