US probe determines Russia committed war crimes in Ukraine

By Michael Hernandez

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US has formally determined that Russian forces have committed war crimes during the ongoing war in Ukraine, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Wednesday.

The announcement comes after an internal legal review within the State Department that Blinken said assessed information from public sources and US intelligence.

The information included "numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks deliberately targeting civilians, as well as other atrocities," said the top diplomat.

"Russia’s forces have destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded," Blinken in a statement. "Many of the sites Russia’s forces have hit have been clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians."

That includes attacks on a maternity hospital in the port city of Mariupol and on a theater in the besieged city that had the Russian word for "children" written on the ground in the front and rear of the building.

"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. We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions," said Blinken.

Russia's war against Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, has met international outrage with the EU, US, and UK, among others, implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow.

At least 977 civilians have been killed and 1,594 injured in Ukraine since Russia began its attack on its western neighbor last month, according to UN estimates. The UN warns the true toll is likely much higher due to difficulties in access to the areas of heightened hostilities.

More than 3.62 million people have fled to neighboring countries, UN High Commissioner for Refugees said in a statement.