Ukraine and its allies blame Russia for the missile attack on the station that killed over 50 people

Ukraine and its allies blamed Russia for a missile attack on Friday at a train station in eastern Ukraine that killed at least 52 people, including five children.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the latest attack in Kramatorsk in the eastern region of Donetsk a deliberate attack on civilians. Some leaders said that the attack was another war crime in the 6-week-old conflict.

Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russian troops of targeting civilians since the Russian invasion began on 24 February. Ukraine also accused Russia of mass killings in the town of Bucha, near Kyiv. However, Moscow has always denied targeting civilians.

The mayor of the town, Oleksandr Goncharenko, said that about 4,000 people were gathered at the station during the missile attack. The mayor also said, “There are many people in a serious condition, without arms or legs.” The mayor also announced an “emergency evacuation” using public and private vehicles.

Reportedly, photos from the station in Kramatorsk showed the dead covered with tarps. Regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko said that Russia used a Tochka U short-range ballistic missile containing cluster munitions to attack the station. However, Russia’s defence ministry accused Ukraine of the latest attack.

European Union leaders visited Kyiv to offer President Zelenskyy support and expedite Ukraine’s path toward European Union (EU) membership. The United States, European Union, and the United Kingdom condemned the incident. They have also announced additional military support for Ukraine. Britain will send 100 million pounds ($130 million) of military support.

The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell reportedly said that the attack in Kramatorsk was another attempt to break the morale of Ukrainians amid the war. Borrell also said that a potential oil ban against Russia would be discussed on Monday. According to Reuters, the White House said it would support attempts to investigate the latest attack in Kramatorsk.