France Condemns Russian Attacks on Civilians in Ukraine
Paris Labels Strikes as Deliberate Violations of Law
France strongly condemned what it called an “increasing number of Russian attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure” in Ukraine, describing them as deliberate breaches of international humanitarian law.
The French Foreign Ministry highlighted recent attacks, including a passenger train strike in Kharkiv on January 27, which killed five people; a bus carrying mine workers in Dnipropetrovsk on February 1, leaving 16 dead; and a strike on a maternity hospital in Zaporizhzhia.
Russia’s Targeting of Civilian Infrastructure
The ministry said repeated attacks on Ukraine’s railway and energy networks indicate Russia’s intent to destroy civilian infrastructure, forming part of a broader “terror approach”. The statement labeled these strikes as war crimes and said their growing frequency shows Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilians.
Ceasefire Pause Seen as Tactic
France also criticized Russia’s announcement of a pause in attacks on energy infrastructure after the Abu Dhabi talks, calling it a “delaying tactic” designed to avoid a full ceasefire and good-faith negotiations.
International Context
Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported new Russian attacks on energy facilities in frontline areas. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he personally asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt strikes on Kyiv and other cities for a week amid extreme cold, though the Kremlin did not confirm if Putin agreed.
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