US says Russia has committed ‘crimes against humanity’ in Ukraine

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - Russia’s army and officials have committed “crimes against humanity” in Ukraine, the US secretary of state said on Saturday.

“Members of Russia’s forces have committed execution-style killings of Ukrainian men, women, and children; torture of civilians in detention through beatings, electrocution, and mock executions; rape; and, alongside other Russian officials, have deported hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians to Russia, including children who have been forcibly separated from their families,” Antony Blinken said in a statement.

According to Blinken, these acts are not random or spontaneous, rather they are part of Russia’s “widespread and systematic attack” against civilians in Ukraine.

“We reserve crimes against humanity determinations for the most egregious crimes. Today’s determination underlines staggering extent of the human suffering inflicted by Moscow on the Ukrainian civilian population,” he said.

It also shows the “deep commitment” of the US to holding members of Russia’s forces and other Russian officials accountable for their atrocities against the Ukrainians, Blinken added.

“There can be no impunity for these crimes,” he said, adding that all those people responsible for these acts must be held accountable.

“As today’s determination shows, the US will pursue justice for the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Blinken added.