In Poland, The PM of the UK, Boris Johnson, warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his commanders in Ukraine might face war crimes charges as shelling hit Ukraine’s second-largest city Kharkiv. He again warned Russia about Western sanctions, saying they will be in place “for as long as it takes,”
According to a source citing the city’s mayor, Russian bombardment on Ukraine’s second-largest city, Kharkiv, resulted in the fatalities of at least 11 persons and many more injuries.
Johnson decried the shelling as “barbaric, indiscriminate” tactics on the Ukrainian people.
While speaking in Poland, The UK PM said that Russia had underestimated the “passionate desire” of the individuals of Ukraine to defend themselves, as well as “the unity and resolve of the Western countries and the rest of the world”.
“And we will keep up the economic pressure,” he stated. The UK on Tuesday sanctioned Russia’s biggest bank Sberbank. With this, the nation has joined the European Union and the United States to do so.
“It’s plainly having a dramatic effect,” Johnson said, pointing to a freefall in the Russian ruble and stock market, as well as long lines of people waiting to withdraw their savings from banks.
Meanwhile, following the invasion of Ukraine, the spokesman of Johnson said today that the government of the UK is considering removing Russia as one of the 5 permanent members of the UN Security Council.
The 5 permanent members of the UNSC are Britain, Russia, the United States, China and France.
Moreover, Russian forces shelled Kharkiv’s central square and the main administration building earlier morning.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, described the bombardment as a war crime. “The strike against Kharkiv is a war crime,” the president stated in a televised message. This is state terrorism on Russia’s behalf.”
Since President Putin started an invasion of Ukraine last Thursday, the Russian military has targeted Kharkiv.
