During an unexpected trip to Ukraine on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken promised $1 billion in help for the country after a Russian airstrike left at least 17 people dead at a market.
The attack, which was labeled “heinous” and premeditated by President Volodymyr Zelensky, prompted strong criticism from the West, including allegations of war crimes.
One of the worst attacks in weeks tore through the center of Kostiantynivka, a town of over 70,000 people in the eastern Donetsk area.
“They smashed everything, all the shop windows, everything was strewn around,” an eyewitness told AFP.
“Thank God we are alive, of course. But the girls who were selling there, they are all dead,” the witness said.
Images released by authorities showed rescuers searching through the rubble and removing some of the 32 victims of the explosion, which left cars burned and kiosks shattered.
“Anyone in the world who is still dealing with anything Russian simply ignores this reality,” said Zelensky.
“Heinous evil. Brazen wickedness. Utter inhumanity.”
Later, he charged that Russia had targeted civilians on purpose and claimed that no military units were “anywhere near” the incident.
The strike was denounced by the European Union, along with the “escalation” of Russian assaults on “civilian objects” that have resulted in hundreds of casualties or injuries in recent weeks.
“Intentional attacks against civilians are war crimes,” the group declared in a statement.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock stated that “this Russian war of aggression is an attack on international law, on humanity.”
The incident, according to White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre, highlights “the importance of continuing to support the people of Ukraine as they defend their territory.”
