Russian missile strike kills 40 in Dnipro, Kremlin seen preparing for long war
PBS NewsHourDec 24, 2022
Day 327: Death Toll from Russian Attack on Dnipro Rises to 40
Image copyright: Reuters [via The Guardian]
The Facts
The death toll from a Russian strike on the Dnipropetrovsk city of Dnipro on Sunday has risen to at least 40 civilians killed, with at least 75 people reported injured, Ukrainian officials said Monday.
Ukraine's Office for the Prosecutor General said Kh-22 missiles were used and alleged the attack was a war crime. In a statement, a spokesperson said: "This type of missile [the Kh-22] leads to the greatest human casualties because the missile is extremely inaccurate... Therefore, the use of such weapons for targets in densely populated areas is clearly a war crime."
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Russia's indiscriminate missile attack on a residential building in Dnipro targeted civilians in close quarters — violating fundamental tenants of international humanitarian law. This is a war crime.
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia's attack on Dnipro did not target civilians. Legitimate military targets were struck in the attack and the residential block was damaged by Ukrainian air defenses.