Theater full of hiding civilians bombed in Mariupol: ‘Atrocious war crime’ | Abroad

“The Russian army attacked the Mariupol Drama Theater where a large number of civilians were hiding,” Ukraine’s parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, said on Twitter. “It is unknown how many people died under the rubble.”

The parliament also makes reports of fierce fighting. “We don’t know if there are any survivors.” Earlier, Deputy Mayor Sergei Orlov had told the BBC that there may have been between 1,000 and 1,200 civilians in the theatre. However, this information cannot be independently verified.

‘Atrocious war crime’

According to the city authorities, quoted by Interfax Ukraine, the “Russian occupiers” dropped a “powerful bomb” on the building “where hundreds of Mariupol’s citizens were hiding.” The central part of the building would have collapsed.

“Another horrific war crime in Mariupol,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitro Kuleba. “The building has been completely destroyed.” According to him, Russia could not have known that it was a civilian shelter. He also posted photos of the building before and after the suspected attack under his tweet.

‘Attack on refugees’

Another group of civilians was said to have been killed in another Russian missile attack in Mariupol, Ukraine said. The group wanted to flee the besieged port city. Authorities showed photos and video footage of a blackened vehicle. Children are also said to be among the victims. The exact number of deaths has yet to be determined.

In recent days, thousands of civilians in vehicles have been able to leave the surrounded city via special escape routes.

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