G7, UN condemn ‘deplorable’ Russian attack on Kremenchuk mall

G7 denounces ‘war crime’ after Russian missile attacks on a crowded Ukrainian shopping mall kill at least 18 people.

The leaders of the G7 have condemned a deadly Russian missile attack on a crowded Ukrainian shopping mall as an “abominable” war crime.

In a statement on Monday, the G7 leaders, who are holding a meeting in Germany, promised that Russian President Vladimir Putin and those responsible for the attack would be held to account.

At least 18 people were killed in the raids in the city of Kremenchuk, while 59 were wounded.

“Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime,” the G7 statement said.

Ukraine accused Russia of deliberately targeting civilians, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy calling it “one of the most brazen terrorist acts in European history” in his evening broadcast posted on Telegram.

“A peaceful town, an ordinary shopping center – women, children ordinary civilians inside,” said Zelenskyy, who earlier shared a video of the mall engulfed in flames with dozens of rescuers and a fire truck outside.

Ukraine’s air force command said the mall was hit by two long-range X-22 missiles fired from Tu-22M3 bombers that flew from Shaykovka airfield in Russia’s Kaluga region.

Russia’s deputy ambassador to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyanskiy, wrote on Twitter, without citing evidence, that the attack was a “Ukrainian provocation”.

“Exactly what Kiev regime needs to keep focus of attention on Ukraine before [the] NATO Summit,” he said, referring to the alliance’s Madrid gathering due to begin on Tuesday.

SOURCE: NEWS AGENCIES