Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine – April 4, 2025. An early spring weekend. Children are enjoying time with their friends and families in a playground. Nearby, a birthday party is in progress; in a restaurant, a group of adults attend a beauty industry seminar . . .

. . . until the cluster bombs hit, leaving 20 civilians — 9 of them children — dead, and more than 70 others seriously wounded.

Twenty innocent civilian lives — again, NINE of them CHILDREN — wiped out in a brutal attack on civilian infrastructure . . . all while Vladimir Putin sanctimoniously continues to insist that he wants nothing more than peace.

The Russian military has claimed that the restaurant was hosting a meeting of military units and foreign advisers, making it a legitimate target . . . despite all evidence to the contrary. And according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, speaking at a press briefing today (which also happens to be the first designated day of mourning for the victims in Kryvyi Rih):

“ . . . no strikes are carried out on social facilities and social infrastructure.” [RFE/RL, April 7, 2025.]

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk had this to say:

“The use of an explosive weapon with wide area effects by the Russian Federation in a densely populated area — and without any apparent military presence — demonstrates a reckless disregard for civilian life. Even if the Russian authorities had had information that military personnel could be present, the mode and circumstances of attack may constitute an indiscriminate attack.” [Id.]

So what would Vladimir Putin have us believe . . . that the civilians were merely collateral damage, so they don’t count?

If you are hearing echoes of Josef Stalin and Adolph Hitler, be assured . . . you are not imagining things.

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
4/7/25