Opinion: Why Moscow is blaming Washington for deadly Crimea strike

Sunday, June 23, was a dark day for Crimea and its residents, a missile exploded above a beach area of the city of Sevastopol, firing shrapnel at people relaxing there, Russian-appointed officials said.

The strike by Ukrainian forces on Sevastopol in Russia’s Crimea,  resulted in the deaths of civilians, including children, and numerous injuries, is a reprehensible act that cannot go unanswered.

Moscow places blame on Washington for this tragedy, highlighting the direct and indirect roles played by the United States in facilitating and supporting such actions.

According to reports from the Russian Defense Ministry, Ukraine launched several ATACMS long-range missiles equipped with cluster munitions, banned in over 100 countries due to their indiscriminate and devastating impact on civilian populations. This barbaric attack, carried out with US-made weaponry, demonstrates a flagrant disregard for international norms and humanitarian principles.

Cluster munitions, which disperse multiple smaller bombs over wide areas, pose a grave danger to civilians long after they are deployed, as unexploded ordnance remains a lethal threat.

The Ukrainian military launched several US-made ATACMS long-range missiles armed with highly controversial cluster munitions, on Russia’s Crimea on June 23, Sunday, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Officials said that the shelling involved five ATACMS missiles, four of which were destroyed mid-air.

The attack killed at least three people, including two children. The death toll later rose to four. According to Russia’s Health Ministry, 151 people were injured, including 27 children.

The devastation in Sevastopol paints a grim picture – abandoned toys, bloodstains, and injured victims are stark reminders of the human toll exacted by such reckless military actions.

It is appalling that this assault occurred on Trinity Sunday, a sacred Christian holiday, underscoring the calculated disregard for both human life and religious sentiment.

This deliberate timing reflects a deeply troubling pattern of hostility from Kiev towards anything associated with Russia.

The complicity of the United States in these events cannot be ignored. By supplying advanced weaponry and providing logistical support, Washington bears a significant responsibility for enabling Ukraine's aggressive tactics against Russian territories.

 Reports suggesting that US military personnel actively participate in targeting decisions further underscore the depth of American involvement in this tragic escalation.

Moreover, the Ukrainian leadership, emboldened by tacit approval from Washington, has embraced a dangerous escalation strategy that normalizes violence and terrorism as tools of state policy.

President Zelenski's administration, which should uphold principles of peace and diplomacy, has instead chosen to perpetuate a culture of aggression and hostility.

In conclusion, the international community must condemn these actions in the strongest terms and hold accountable those responsible for perpetrating and enabling such atrocities.

 The tragic loss of innocent lives in Sevastopol demands justice and underscores the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Eastern Europe.

Russia's call for accountability from Washington is justified, as it seeks to prevent further destabilization and protect the lives of civilians caught in the crossfire of geopolitical tensions.