United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday that Russian forces have officially committed war crimes during the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
"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.
President Joe Biden had previously described Russian President Vladimir Putin as a war criminal, but Blinken's charge was the first made against Russian forces as a while
"We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions," he said
Blinken made the remarks in a statement distributed as Biden traveled to Europe for the first time since the war in Ukraine began.
So What War Crimes is Russia Accused of Committing?
In the State Department's statement, the specific types of war crimes Russian forces of which Russian forces are being accused are much more detailed than any previous communique from the Biden administration.
It says they cover a wide territory from "indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians" to other, more narrowly focused aggression.
Among those charges the State Department cited:
- "[The strike on a] Mariupol maternity hospital, as the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights expressly noted in a March 11 report."
- "A strike that hit a Mariupol theater, clearly marked with the word 'дети' — Russian for “children” — in huge letters visible from the sky."
- The destruction by Russian forces of "apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded."
- "Not including the Mariupol devastation, the United Nations has officially confirmed more than 2,500 civilian casualties, including dead and wounded, and emphasizes the actual toll is likely higher.
What Will the U.S. Do Next?
Because of the severity of those charges in only the first three weeks of the invasion of Ukraine, Blinken noted that American officials will continue to collaborate with allies on how to punish war crimes and criminals within the boundaries of international law.
"As with any alleged crime, a court of law with jurisdiction over the crime is ultimately responsible for determining criminal guilt in specific cases," Blinken said.
"The U.S. government will continue to track reports of war crimes and will share information we gather with allies, partners, and international institutions and organizations, as appropriate," he said.
This is a breaking story, please check back often for updates
