DISINFO: Russia destroyed a military store and command post in Kharkiv
SUMMARY
Hypermarket destroyed in Kharkiv: a military warehouse targeted.
Ukraine has accused Russia of hitting a hypermarket in Kharkiv, allegedly causing 14 dead. This strike targeted a military warehouse and command post hidden in the building.
RESPONSE
A conspiracy theory being used as a justification for a potential war crime, accusing Ukraine of using its population as human shields.
There is no evidence to support the thesis that a military store and command post were hidden inside the shopping centre. Instead, all indications point to Russia deliberately attacking civilians using two guided bombs. Some videos show a strong fire and detonations inside the burning premises. However, all shopping centres containing construction materials and pressurised containers can burn intensely and have explosions inside. This does not prove that a command post or weapons storage was hidden inside.
The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Policy condemned this bombing:
I condemn in the strongest terms Russia's heinous attacks against Kharkiv city today, including a crowded mall, killing and wounding civilians. All perpetrators of these and other Russian war crimes will be held to account. I condemn in the strongest terms Russia's heinous attacks against Kharkiv city today, including a crowded mall, killing and wounding civilians. All perpetrators of these and other Russian war crimes will be held to account.
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