Footage shows civilians sheltering in theater before devastating bombing: “A horrific war crime” | War Ukraine and Russia

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“The Russian army has attacked the Mariupol Drama Theater. A large number of civilians were hiding here,” the Verkhovna Rada (the Ukrainian parliament; ed.) said on Twitter. “It is unknown how many people died under the rubble.” The parliament also mentions fierce fighting. “We don’t know if there are any survivors.”

According to the city authorities, the “Russian occupiers” dropped a “powerful bomb” on the building. The central part of the building has collapsed.

“Another horrific war crime in Mariupol,” said Kuleba. “The building has been completely destroyed.” According to him, Russia must have known that it was a hiding place for civilians. He also posted photos of the building before and after the suspected attack under his tweet.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry claims that it is an action by the Ukrainian Azov battalion. “These nationalists have set explosives in the building, they are also holding civilians hostage. This was certainly not an air raid. On March 16, the Russian Air Force did not conduct any missions targeting ground targets in Mariupol during the day,” it said.

Moscow also accused the Azov battalion of bombing the maternity center in the city. The bombing sparked outrage worldwide.

In addition, a group of civilians was killed in a rocket attack in Mariupol. They wanted to flee the 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 the past few days, thousands of civilians were able to leave the surrounded city via special escape routes.

Also read: Antwerp mother who wants to remove son (24) from Ukraine on her own, shares haunting video of him: “Russians have been holding Wessel captive for six days”