'A war crime': Zelenskyy condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine's blood transfusion centre

As the brutal Russia-Ukraine war continues to rage on, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the recent Russian attack at a blood transfusion centre. On Sunday, the Russian forces bombed the centre located in the Kharkiv region. While the number of casualties is still not clear, the Ukrainian President noted that there have been “dead and wounded” reported following the attack. In a stern tweet on X, formerly known as Twitter, Zelenskky called the attack a “war crime” and extended condolences to the victims of the attack. 

“Russia's guided air bomb against a blood transfusion centre in Ukraine. This evening, the Kupiansk community in the Kharkiv region. Dead and wounded are reported. My condolences! Our rescuers are extinguishing the fire,” the Ukrainian President wrote on X on Sunday. “This war crime alone says everything about Russian aggression. Beasts that destroy everything that simply allows to live. Defeating terrorists is a matter of honour for everyone who values life,” he concluded. The Ukrainian President also shared visuals from the site. A fire extinguisher truck can be seen stationed at the site as the rescue workers struggle to extinguish the raging fire. 

Russia's guided air bomb against a blood transfusion center in Ukraine. This evening, Kupiansk community in Kharkiv region. Dead and wounded are reported. My condolences! Our rescuers are extinguishing the fire.

This war crime alone says everything about Russian aggression.… pic.twitter.com/aCgxAbJx8P

— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa)

Multiple explosions and air raids were reported across Ukraine

The Ukrainian town of Kupyansk where the attack took place is known as the railway hub of the Eastern Ukrainian region and is located fewer than 10 miles from the frontline. According to Sky News, throughout Saturday,  multiple explosions and air alerts were reported across Ukraine, including in the country’s capital Kyiv. The Sunday attack came days after the Russian defence minister pledged to retaliate following the drone attack on the country’s ship in the Black Sea. 

On Friday, a tanker transporting fuel for Putin’s forces was hit by a sea drone which was carrying 450kg (992lbs) of TNT. Earlier that day, a major port was targeted in Russia, making the Kremlin extremely angry. "There can be no justification for such barbaric actions, they will not go unanswered and their authors and perpetrators will inevitably be punished," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said following the attack.