At least 16 people have been killed after Russian missiles struck a Ukrainian shopping center with more than 1,000 civilians inside the lightning.
Vladimir Putin’s latest atrocity has been condemned as a “crime against humanity” with fears that the number of victims is “impossible to imagine” after the explosion caused a devastating flame.
10
10
10
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has struck down Putin’s “cruelty and barbarism” after the attack, which left at least 16 people dead and more than 50 injured – with the number of casualties expected to increase.
This comes when NATO announced plans to deploy “far more than” 300,000 troops to deter Russia in the biggest shake-up of its forces since the Cold War.
Two rockets hit a crowded shopping center in the town of Kremenchuk this afternoon – trapping many civilians inside and leaving many injured.
Horrific videos show the entire Amstor shopping center in flames as firefighters fight the inferno.
People are seen crowding outside and watching the gruesome scene unfold while shouting and screaming can be heard.
And other footage shows people escaping from the mall while fleeing the fire.
President Zelensky there were at least 1,000 people inside at the time of the assault.
World leaders at the G7 summit described the blast as a “horrific attack” in a joint statement.
They said: “We stand united with Ukraine in mourning over the innocent victims of this brutal attack.
“Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians are a war crime.
“Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held accountable.”
In one moving video, a male voice is heard shouting, “Is anyone alive? Anyone living here?
And a man who filmed the mall from the outside said, “That’s it, the walls are collapsing.”
Zelensky warned the number of victims is “impossible to imagine.”
“It is useless to hope for the decency and humanity of Russia,” he wrote on Telegram.
Regional Governor Dmytro Lunin confirmed at least 16 people were killed in the attack, with more than 50 injured.
Sirens could be heard as firefighters and ambulances rushed to the scene.
Paramedics could be seen treating victims as they battled through the dense gray smoke.
A crime against humanity. This is an obvious, cynical act of terror against peaceful civilians
Dmytro Lunin
“The occupiers fired missiles at a mall where there were more than a thousand civilians … The number of victims is impossible to imagine,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram.
The city’s mayor had earlier said there were an unknown number of dead and wounded in the attack on the “very busy spot”.
Zelensky stressed that the target poses no threat to the Russian military and has no strategic value.
He accused Russia of sabotaging people’s efforts to lead a normal life.
10
10
10
10
Kremenchuk is an industrial city in central Ukraine, located on the banks of the Dnipro River.
It is about 200 miles from Kiev and 150 miles to Kharkiv.
Dmytro Lunin, head of Poltava regional administration, said: “Missile attack on a shopping center with people in Kremenchuk is another military crime by the Russians.
“A crime against humanity. This is an obvious, cynical act of terror against peaceful civilians.
“Russia is a state of terror.”
“Rescuers and policemen are working on the site. The number of victims is currently impossible to count.”
Andrii Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said: “They said they would hit decision-making centers.
“But even the sickest imagination could not guess what they meant by shopping malls.”
Meanwhile, Boris Johnson said the attack on Kremenchuk showed how deep Putin would sink.
He said: “This horrific attack has once again highlighted the depths of cruelty and barbarism to which the Russian leader is sinking.
“Once again, our thoughts are with the families of innocent victims in Ukraine.
“Putin must realize that his behavior will do nothing but strengthen the determination of Ukraine and every other G7 country to stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
And predictably, Russia has already accused Ukraine of “falsifying” the attack – as well as allegations of rape and massacres in Bucha.
10
10
10
This is just the latest attack by Putin’s forces on defenseless civilians in Ukraine, with hospitals, schools and homes destroyed during his barbaric invasion.
Russia is feared to be using indiscriminate bombing tactics to intimidate civilians and try to force Ukraine to surrender.
This comes when Putin’s invasion came to a halt – with the Russian general initially believing that they could conquer the country within hours.
And after more than 120 days, the bloody war continues.
Ukraine is offering brave resistance, but they are facing the massive military might of much larger Russia.
Putin’s forces were initially pushed back, but now they seemed to be slowly pushing forward again.
Russian forces are now closing in on the city of Lysychansk after seizing the now devastated city of Sievierodonetsk.
This is because NATO is going to deploy more than 300,000 troops in a showdown with Russia in what will be the largest force since the Cold War.
The sharp increase in “high readiness” troops comes in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO.
Meanwhile, Western nations have again pledged unwavering support for Ukraine in the war with Russia, including more sanctions against Moscow and air defense systems.
G7 leaders have said they will impose sanctions on Russia for as long as necessary and intensify international pressure on Putin and his ally Belarus.
“Imagine if we allowed Putin to get away with the violent acquisition of large tracts of land from another country, sovereign, independent territory,” Boris Johnson said.
“The lessons for that will be absolutely awful. The point I want to make to people is that sometimes I’m worth the price of freedom to pay.”