Putin Accused of War Crime After Drone Targets Market Vendor in Ukraine

POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of committing a war crime following a drone attack that targeted a market vendor. The incident is alleged to be part of a deliberate Russian campaign to intimidate Ukrainian civilians.

Kuleba stated, “This attack is not an isolated incident but part of a broader, systematic effort by Russian forces to instill fear among the civilian population. Such actions are clear violations of international law — and constitute war crimes.”

The drone strike, which occurred in a civilian market area, resulted in casualties — and widespread panic. Eyewitnesses reported that the drone specifically hunted down the vendor, leading to accusations of a “human safari” tactic employed by Russian forces.

The Ukrainian government has called for an international investigation into the incident, urging the United Nations and other global bodies to hold Russia accountable for its actions. Kuleba further emphasized the need for a robust response from the international community to deter further violations.

This accusation comes amid ongoing tensions and conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with both sides reporting numerous civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, with many nations expressing concern over the escalating violence.

For more on the impact of the conflict, read: Oil Giants Amass $93bn Profits Amid Iran Conflict and Climate Crisis.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)