2015-01-25 18:38:00

Pro-Russian Rebels blamed For Massacre in Mariupol


(Vatican Radio) Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko claimed to have mounting evidence that Russian-backed separatists were responsible for firing rockets that killed at least 30 people in the southeastern city of Mariupol. 

Speaking during an emergency meeting of his security council, Poroshenko cited intercepted radio and telephone conversations as prove that pro-Russian rebels were responsible for one of the bloodiest attacks in recent weeks. 

Listen to this report by Stefan Bos

People in the southeastern city of Mariupol have been mourning over the bodies lying on streets. Nearby emergency workers dispose rocket fragments and unexploded rockets.  

Dozens of people were killed in Saturday's attacks on a crowded open air market, homes, shops and even a kindergarten. 

Pro-Russian separatist leader Alexander Zakharchenko initially announced his forces had begun an offensive on this government controlled Mariupol and another town. 

"I do not agree that killers should be forgiven. I will say the following: today the offensive on Mariupol started,” he told an enthusiastic crowd. "With God’s help in a couple of days" his forces would also close the Debaltseve pocket, potentially encircling Ukrainian troops, he pledged.  "This is the best answer and the best way to remember those killed… because it will be our revenge on everybody.”

Yet, once the extend of Saturday's massacre became public, he reportedly denied involvement and blamed Ukrainian troops for the carnage.  

Kiev and the West have accused Russia of providing weapons and troops to the separatists in eastern Ukraine, charges Moscow denies.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. "We are addressing our European partners and members of the UN Security Council to call for a Security Council meeting as Russia has broken not just the Minsk peace agreements," he said. 

"Russia is breaking basic principles of international law and humanity. They are ashamed of nothing, rockets were even aimed at the children’s store,” Yatsenyuk added, referring to Saturday's rocket barrage.   

American President Barack Obama also blamed Moscow and warned that the United States would work with European partners to increase pressure on Russia."   

Pope Francis has expressed concern about the many deaths. Families have also buried their loved ones who were killed days earlier during during a bus-shelling in Donetsk. 

Additionally, in Kiev, people mourned the victims of recent violence. Yet, more suffering is expected, in a conflict that has killed more than 5,100 people. 








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