US fears for civilians as ‘staggering’ Ukraine toll grows under Russian assault
- Washington warns that Moscow is moving cluster munitions and other lethal weaponry into the country, potentially sending the conflict into a dangerous new phase
- The UN says at least 227 civilians have been killed and 525 people wounded since the invasion began
The United States raised fears that civilians are being targeted by Russia in Ukraine, warning that Moscow is moving cluster munitions and other lethal weaponry into the country in a potentially dangerous new phase of the conflict.
“Hundreds if not thousands of civilians have been killed or wounded,” Blinken, who will travel to eastern Europe next week to shore up US support for Ukraine, told a press briefing in Washington on Wednesday.
Russia has launched attacks on buildings and cities that “aren’t military targets”, he said, adding: “The humanitarian consequences will only grow in the days ahead.”
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Ukraine invasion: Mothers, babies shelter in basement of children's hospital in Kyiv
The UN rights office, OHCHR, said it had registered 752 civilian casualties in Ukraine, including 227 people killed and 525 people wounded, between February 24, when Russia invaded, and midnight Tuesday. It warned that the true toll was likely to be far higher. Ukraine said more than 2,000 civilians have died.
