US warns of ‘war crimes’ after Russian drone attack on Ukraine

The United States has said it will hold Russia accountable for “war crimes” and take action against companies and nations working with Iran’s drone program following a series of attacks on Ukrainian cities.

At least four people – including a couple expecting a baby – were killed on Monday morning after a drone struck an apartment building in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. The attacks also knocked out power to hundreds of towns and villages.

Speaking in his regular evening address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the air raids were continuing.

“Right now, there is a new Russian drone attack,” he said. “There are [drones] that have been shot down.”

Ukraine has said the attacks have been carried out with “kamikaze” drones, Shahed-136s that was reportedly bought by Russia from Iran. Officials in Tehran have denied selling the weapons to Moscow.

US President Joe Biden’s press secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, told reporters the White House “strongly condemns Russia’s missile strikes today” and said the attack “continues to demonstrate [Russian President Vladimir] Putin’s brutality”.

Referring to a new $725m military aid package announced for Ukraine last Friday, Jean-Pierre said: “We will continue to stand with the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes.

“We will continue to impose costs on Russia, hold them accountable for its war crimes.”

Agencies