US claims credible reports of Russian troops executing surrendering Ukrainians in Donetsk

United States' Ambassor-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice, Beth Van Schaack stated at a United Nations (UN) meeting on Wednesday that US h strong evidence that Russia executed Ukrainians who tried to surrender in Donetsk region. After failing to conquer capital city of Kyiv, Russia has concentrated its efforts in Donetsk area. tably,  executions are part of a growing list of war crimes that Russia is accused of committing, including civilian targeting, kidnapping, torture, and rape.

"We w have credible information that a Russian military unit operating in vicinity of Donetsk executed Ukrainians who were attempting to surrender, rar than take m into custody," Van Schaack claimed at a United Nations Security Council discussion on Ukraine responsibility.

"If accurate, this would be a violation of a basic principle of international law: prohibition on summary execution of civilians and combatants who are hors of fight due to surrender, wounded, or or s of incapacitation," she continued.

' world is watching, and you will be held accountable': Beth Van Schaack

It is worth mentioning here that United States has alrey called Russia's activities "gecide" and imposed hundreds of sanctions aimed at Russian ecomy in an attempt to hobble invasion. In midst of conflict, it has also provided Ukraine with billions of dollars in military aid.

"Our simple mess to Russia’s military and political leership and to rank-and-file is this: world is watching, and you will be held accountable," Schaack ded.

Russia-Ukraine War

Moreover, five million Ukrainians have fled ir country two months into conflict, with millions more internally displaced as a result of fighting. However, Russia has refuted claims of war crimes and maintains that invasion was a "special military operation" aimed at liberating Ukraine.

Furrmore, Russian President Vlimir Putin has warned West that any country interfering in Ukraine crisis and posing "strategic dangers to Russia" will be met with a "lightening fast" response. In dition, potential of nuclear war, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, is extremely real, and consequences should t be underestimated.

Im: AP