US holds Russia accountable for war crimes committed in Ukraine

Biden administration officials determined on Wednesday that Russian forces committed war crimes in Ukraine, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

According to reports on the ground of attacks on civilians, Blinken echoes President Biden's belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a war criminal.

Blinken mentioned "numerous credible reports of indiscriminate attacks and attacks on civilians that intentionally target civilians, as well as other atrocities." in his announcement Wednesday.

Strikes on a maternity hospital in Mariupol, as well as a theater where civilians took cover, have been reported in the news recently. According to Blinken, more than 2,400 civilians have been killed in Mariupol alone since Tuesday. The United Nations confirms more than 2,500 civilian casualties beyond Mariupol.

"Our assessment is based on a careful review of available information from public and intelligence sources. As with any alleged crime, a court of law with jurisdiction over the crime is ultimately responsible for determining criminal guilt in specific cases," Blinken said in a statement.

"The U.S. government will continue to track reports of war crimes and will share information we gather with allies, partners, and international institutions and organizations, as appropriate. We are committed to pursuing accountability using every tool available, including criminal prosecutions," Blinken added.

23 March 2022