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Whether it is a war crime or terror, as the President of Ukraine says, does not matter. Russia’s attack on a shopping mall with several thousand people is cruel. The incident joins the ranks of Russian attacks on civilians. The EU, the US and large parts of the world in general condemn Russia’s attack on the shopping center in Kremenchuk.

Geographically, it is almost incomprehensible why Russia sends missiles at an area in Ukraine that has so far been little affected by the war. We have seen similar incidents in the past as well. Schools, train stations and apartment blocks have been bombed. What Krementsjuk has to do with the Russians’ stated goal of the Donbas is incomprehensible. Krementsjuk is not in the Donbas.

Krementsjuk in central Ukraine

18 people have so far lost their lives in this heinous war crime. Over 50 are injured. The number of people killed is expected to be higher The purpose from Russia’s point of view is clearly simple. They want to destroy the morale of Ukraine. Until now, they have achieved the exact opposite. The morale and fighting spirit of Ukrainians is high and opposition to Russia’s aggression is massive.

The condemnation from the world community came quickly. The UN, the EU and the USA are among those who condemn the bombing of the shopping center. If Russia’s goal is to become even more isolated and marginalized in the world, they are in the process of achieving that.

Miserable Russian precision

Of course, there may be talk of miserable Russian precision in an attempt to take out military targets. The problem for Russia is that this fits into a pattern. Civilian targets are bombed which is completely proven. Some time ago, 2 Russian soldiers were sentenced to 11 years and 6 months in prison for war crimes. They admitted to bombing apartment blocks, after being ordered to do so.

No, the incident in Krementsjuk is hardly a rocket out of position. There are terrorist states that do such things to the civilians. Remaining are grieving families, injured innocent civilians and an entire nation armored by the Russians’ brutal conduct. It is especially incomprehensible when the attack is aimed at an area far away from where Putin says they have a “special operation”.

I condemn Russia’s bombing of all civilian targets in Ukraine. Terror against civilians must end and cannot be defended anyway.

Sources:

Ukraine latest updates: Missile hits Kremenchuk shopping mall | Russia-Ukraine war News | Al Jazeera

UN condemns shopping mall attack in Ukraine – Latest news – NRK

Russian missile strike hits crowded shopping mall in Ukraine | AP News