U.S. Secretary of State: Russia has committed war crimes against Ukraine

(Washington, D.C.) -- The U.S is formally announcing  Russia has committed war crimes within Ukraine.

The announcement comes from U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who claimed Russian forces have "destroyed apartment buildings, schools, hospitals, critical infrastructure, civilian vehicles, shopping centers, and ambulances, leaving thousands of innocent civilians killed or wounded."

Blinken says many bombed buildings, like the Mariupol maternity hospital and theater in the city, were "clearly identifiable as in-use by civilians." The Secretary of State's comments would be the nation's first official comments claiming Russia's actions are war crimes.

U.S President Joe Biden said "I think [Putin] is a war criminal" during an unrelated event while speaking with reporters on March 17th. Blinken's statement was made as President Joe Biden was on the way to Brussels for G-7 summits and NATO meetings this week to discuss aid to both Ukraine and allied nations.