The British ambassador to Russia described the victims of the Kremlin airstrikes in a crowded Ukrainian shopping center as “collateral damage.”
The strike killed 18 people and injured more than 40 after two long-range X-22 missiles launched from Tu-22M3 bombers from Shaykovka airfield in the Kaluga region of Russia on Monday.
Images of the scene showed a huge eruption of black smoke from a burning shopping center as paramedics rushed in and saw spectators suffering.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a telegram post that the number of victims was “unimaginable,” citing reports that more than 1,000 civilians were inside at the time of the attack.
“Russia’s strike at the Kremenchuk shopping center today is one of the bravest acts of terrorism in European history,” he said in a broadcast posted on Telegram.
Meanwhile, Moscow’s British ambassador Andrey Kerin reiterated the Russian authorities’ claim that shopping centers were not the target.
He told Channel 4 News: “As the (Russia) Ministry of Defense stated, we were only targeting military infrastructure.”
Russian missiles attacked a busy shopping center in Kremenchuk, Ukraine on Monday
British ambassador to Moscow Andrey Kerin (pictured) reiterated the Russian authorities’ claim that shopping centers were not the target. He told Channel 4 News: “As the (Russia) Ministry of Defense stated, we were only targeting military infrastructure.”
When the missiles landed on the building on Monday, there were about 1,000 shoppers in the crowded mall in Kremenchuk.
He added: “And that was because the attack was launched against factories in the territory where a large amount of weapons came from the United States and Europe, and that was the purpose of the attack.
“Unfortunately, there was an explosion and a fire broke out in a nearby shopping center, but this shopping center is empty and hasn’t worked since March of this year.”
Kerin claimed that the shopping center was “no crowd,” but admitted that “probably some people died in the area.”
“Yes, it’s a tragic event. Unfortunately, it causes collateral damage,” he said.
The strike occurred when Russia intensified its barrage of fire throughout Ukraine, including the capital Kyiv.
Boris Johnson and fellow G7 leaders condemned Moscow’s actions in Ukraine and the attack in Kremenchuk as the summit in Germany neared its end.
Rescue operations were carried out underground as paramedics rushed to the scene on Monday.
The Prime Minister said it was an act of “complete barbarism.”
“People are just shocked at what Putin can do,” he said.
Earlier, the Prime Minister said, “The price of freedom is worth paying,” and Britain must be prepared to support Ukraine’s fight against Russia, despite its costs.
Conflicts in Ukraine exacerbate the turmoil in international energy prices, causing food shortages and boosting living costs as Russia’s Black Sea Fleet prevents grain supplies from leaving the country’s ports. I am.
But at the G7 summit in Germany, Johnson said these pressures began to ease and the long-term economic benefits of advocating a rules-based international action system would benefit the global economy.
Mr Kerin also accused the Western countries of supplying weapons to Kerin for escalating the war.
After a missile strike in the industrial center, firefighters desperately tried to put out the flames in a shopping mall.
Zelensky said in a telegram post that the number of victims was “unimaginable,” citing reports that there were more than 1,000 civilians inside at the time of the attack.
He added: ‘Yes, I’m very worried about where it ends. But above all, I’m worried about these proceedings to continue the conflict … sending more and more quality weapons, like international weapons like modern rocket weapons.
“It’s increasing the depth of conflict. It’s an escalation, which is very bad for Ukraine itself.
He denied that Russia could extend its goal to the west.
The UK has provided Ukraine with approximately £ 1.5 billion in economic and humanitarian assistance, as well as approximately £ 1.3 billion in military aid.
The Prime Minister told the BBC at a summit meeting in the Bavarian Alps:
Russia launched a deadly missile strike on a busy Ukrainian shopping center in a recent barbaric attack on Putin’s citizens
This is the latest strike by Vladimir Putin’s army against unprotected civilians in Ukraine.
“But in terms of continuing the course, imagine what it wasn’t.
“If Putin allows him to escape the violent takeover of huge chunks of other nations, sovereignty and independent territories, the lesson will definitely cool down in all countries of the former Soviet Union, what’s happening? You can see if it is already in the Baltic countries.
“But you can feel the read-through in East Asia as well.
“So, in terms of its economic benefits, it would mean long-term instability, which would mean anxiety around the world.”
Comparing the situation to the defeat of Nazi Germany, Johnson refused to put restrictions on Britain’s support.
Zelensky emphasized that the target was “no threat to the Russian army” and “no strategic value”.
Kremenchuk is the industrial center of Central Ukraine, located on the banks of the Dniepuru River.
“I point out to people that sometimes it’s worth the price of freedom.
“And remember that in the middle of the last century it took a long time to realize that democracy had to resist tyranny and aggression. It took them a long time. I did, it was very expensive.
“But what it finally bought was decades and decades of stability, a world order that relied on a rule-based international system, especially due to the defeat of the Nazi German dictator.
“And it’s worth protecting, it’s worth defending, and it brings long-term prosperity.”