Putin accuses Ukrainian forces of “gross violation” of humanitarian law

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday accused Ukrainian forces of “gross violations” of humanitarian law, calling on his French envoy Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholes to put pressure on Kiev to end it.

Mr. During a telephone call with two of Putin’s colleagues, the Kremlin reported that “illegal killings of protesters”, “civilian hostages” and their “use as human shields”, as well as “the use of heavy weapons in residential areas” near hospitals, schools and kindergartens.

He accused Ukrainian “nationalist battalions” of “systematically disrupting rescue operations and threatening civilians trying to evacuate war zones.”

“Vladimir Putin urged Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholes to influence the Kiev authorities to put an end to these crimes,” the Kremlin added.