KYIV: Russia escalated its assaults in Ukraine on Saturday, with President Zelensky condemning a deadly attack on a blood transfusion center as a “war crime”.
AFP reported that a separate attack struck a factory, both strikes coming just hours after Ukraine hit a Russian oil tanker in the Kerch Strait. The assaults were the latest since Russia exited an agreement last month that had ensured Ukrainian grain exports despite the war.
Russia Strikes Blood Transfusion Center: Zelensky
President Zelensky said that Russian troops struck the blood transfusion center in the Kharkiv, saying that “dead and injured are reported”. Zelensky said that a “guided air bomb” targeted the blood center in Kupiansk. In a statement via social media, Ukraine’s President said that it was a war crime.
The attack came shortly after President Zelensky said Russian missiles had hit a factory of plane and helicopter engines.
In his address, President Zelensky remained defiant, asserting that “no matter how many such Russian assaults there are, they will still do nothing for the opponent”.
The development came after Kyiv claimed it “blew up” a Russian oil tanker, that was transporting fuel for Russian forces, AFP reported. As per media reports, the oil tanker was hit at around 11:20 pm on Friday in the Kerch Strait, Russia’s officials said.
Russia denounced the assault on a “civilian vessel”, saying that the crew had not been wounded. In a statement, the Russian Ministry for Foreign Affairs condemned the assault on a “civilian vessel”,.
Russian troops on Saturday also downed a drone over the sea near Sevastopol, local officials said.
Tensions have increased on the Black Sea since Russia exited the deal protecting grain exports through the shipping hub during the war.
