Russian attacks in its invasion of Ukraine, which began Feb. 24, have included missile strikes and shelling against apartment buildings and residential areas, at least one mall, a theater, health care facilities and other locations where civilians have congregated or sought shelter, according to the World Health Organization, international observers, American officials and locals.
“Intentionally targeting civilians is a war crime,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week. “After all the destruction of the past three weeks, I find it difficult to conclude that the Russians are doing otherwise.”
Last week, President Joe Biden called Russian President Vladimir Putin a “war criminal.”
The Intelligence Committee’s letter (which was dated Monday but released by the committee Tuesday) notes that 39 nations referred the invasion to the International Criminal Court “due to numerous allegations of serious international crimes by Russian forces, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.”
The letter urges the intelligence community to protect its “sources and methods” as it documents and publicizes possible crimes.
Though accountability imposed by an international court appears distant, the committee’s letter said the nation has a “responsibility to bear witness. The present moment tests our collective resolve to defend human rights and freedoms.”
Questions were sent to Turner’s office Wednesday.
In January, Turner was appointed to serve as ranking member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.
At the time, Turner office called the appointment “historic” because it was the first time that a congressman for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base had assumed a leadership role for a national security committee.
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