Kyiv - President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a social media post, accused Russia of committing a "war crime" by targeting a blood transfusion centre in Kupiansk.

The centre located in the Kharkiv region of northeast Ukraine was struck by a Russian "guided bomb” on Saturday night resulting in casualties and injuries. and emphasized that the attack speaks volumes about Russian aggression. However, specific details about the number of casualties and injuries were not immediately disclosed.

"The war crime alone says everything about Russian aggression," President Zelensky declared in his post. He did not provide specific numbers but expressed his outrage, calling the perpetrators "beasts." Zelensky also urged a united effort to defeat terrorists, emphasizing that protecting innocent lives should be a matter of honor for all who value life.

The city of Kupiansk and neighboring areas were previously occupied by Russian troops during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine launched in February 2022. Nevertheless, the region was later liberated by Ukrainian forces in a counter-offensive last September.

The attack on the blood transfusion centre adds to the grim toll of civilian casualties and raises concerns about the safety and security of non-combatants caught in the crossfire.

In a separate incident on the same day, Russia allegedly targeted an aeronautical company run by the Motor Sich group in the western Khmelnytskyi region. Further information on the extent of the damage and potential casualties was not immediately available. The continuous strikes on civilian targets raise serious questions about the adherence to international humanitarian laws during the ongoing conflict.

Russia has not yet commented on the attacks or the allegations of targeting civilians or committing war crimes. The BBC was unable to independently verify the reported incidents, but the situation underscores the urgency for credible investigations and accountability for any violations of international law.

"These recent attacks are deeply troubling and require immediate attention from the international community," a spokesperson for the United Nations stated. The attacks on civilian infrastructure, such as the blood transfusion centre, raise concerns about war crimes and the protection of civilians during armed conflicts.

These recent attacks have escalated tensions further amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine. The Kerch Strait, which connects the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov and separates Crimea (annexed by Russia in 2014) from Russia's Taman peninsula, has been the site of recent incidents. Moscow accused Ukraine of targeting a Russian tanker with a sea drone attack, causing damage to the vessel's engine room. Fortunately, no crew members were injured in the attack.

As the situation remains highly sensitive and evolving, official responses from both Ukraine and Russia are awaited. The international community continues to closely monitor the developments in the region. The need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict is more urgent than ever, with innocent lives and crucial infrastructure being caught in the crossfire of this devastating war.