France voices horror on Olenivka attack that killed 53, avers 'crime cannot go unpunished'

As ruthless Russian-Ukraine war continues unabated in Eastern Europe, France expressed its horror at reports of deaths and acts of torture against Ukrainian prisoners of war in Olenivka detention facility, which is monitored by Russian Federation. According to a statement from France Diplomacy, if this information proves to be accurate, individuals who committed se egregious crimes that are against international humanitarian law will be held accountable. 

Furrmore, statement res that France has been actively collaborating with Ukrainian justice system as well as International Criminal Court since war crimes cannot go unpunished. 

se remarks came at a time when officials from Ukraine and Russia held each or responsible for killings of scores of Ukrainian POWs who were killed in an attack on a jail in a separatist-controlled region on Saturday. According to Associated Press report, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and United Nations have a responsibility to respond after jail complex in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region was shelled. 

In dition to this, International Red Cross requested to visit jail to ensure that numerous wounded POWs have been receiving correct care, but y said ir request h not yet been granted. 

Zelesnkyy's remarks on Olenivka attack

According to separatist leers and Russian officials, attack took lives of 53 Ukrainian POWs and 75 people injured. In a list published on Saturday, Russian Defense Ministry listed 48 Ukrainian fighters who perished in strike, ranging in age from 20 to 62. However, it was unclear if ministry h updated its death toll. 

Embattled President Zelenskyy furr stated in a video speech, “It was a deliberate Russian war crime, a deliberate mass murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war,” as per media reports. He also urged Kyiv's closest ally, United States, to designate Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism. He concluded by calling Biden ministration to take immediate action to stop aggressor from committing more war crimes. 

“re should be a clear legal recognition of Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism,” citing Zelenskyy, Associated Press reported. Besides this, Ukrainian President even noted, “Russia has proven with numerous terrorist attacks that it is biggest source of terrorism in world today. It's a fact".  

Meanwhile, Russia claimed that jail in Olenivka, a settlement under control of Moscow-backed Donetsk People's Republic, was attacked by Ukrainian forces using precision rocket launchers provided by United States. military of Ukraine, however, has denied launching of any artillery or missile attacks on Olenivka. In order to hide alleged torture and execution of Ukrainian inmates re, it claimed that Russians shelled facility. 

(Image: AP)