Zelenskiy Slams Putin Over Civilian Targets’ Bombings

• Laments world is watching ‘from afar’
• ICC keenly following developments

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has accused his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin of bombing civilian targets as the world watches ‘from afar’.

Speaking to his citizens in a video national address in both Ukrainian and Russian early on Friday morning, Zelenskiy however continued to make appeals to his neighbour for a ceasefire.

According to him; “Russia will have to talk to us sooner or later about how to end hostilities and stop this invasion. The sooner the conversation begins, the smaller Russia’s losses will be.”

Zelenskiy, who noted that the world continues to observe what is going on in Ukraine from afar while new sanctions have not convinced Russia to withdraw from an attack, further said; “This morning we are defending our state alone. Like yesterday, the world’s most powerful forces are watching from afar.

“Was Russia convinced by yesterday’s sanctions? We hear in our sky and see on our earth that this was not enough”, adding that until the attacks stop, “we will be defending our country until then”.

Already, images of damaged buildings, residential towers, and even classrooms are beginning to filter in after Ukrainian President Zelenskiy confirmed multiple reports of Russian missile strikes across Ukraine in a national address early on Friday morning.

Zelenskiy said the strikes began at 4 am local time on Friday, adding that Russian troops were stopped by Ukrainian forces from advancing in most directions.

Meanwhile, the International Criminal Court (ICC) says it is following developments in Ukraine with increasing concern.

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan on Friday expressed his concern over the Russian invasion of Ukraine and said his court may investigate possible war crimes in the country.

Reuters quoted a statement by Khan as saying; “I remind all sides conducting hostilities on the territory of Ukraine that my office may exercise its jurisdiction and investigate any act of genocide, crime against humanity or war crime committed within Ukraine.

“The ICC prosecutors office will continue to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and may investigate any crime against humanity or war crime committed in Ukraine.” – With agencies reports