FACT CHECK: Suspect Claim by Russia on Rockets That Killed Fleeing Civilians

On April 8, 2022, the Ukrainian authorities and news reports said a rocket attack killed at least 52 people, including five children, on a railway station in the city of Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine said Russian forces deliberately targeted the station, an evacuation hub for civilians fleeing the war, with two ballistic missiles. About 100 people were wounded, according to news reports and Ukrainian officials. Russia quickly denied responsibility and blamed Ukraine. "All statements by representatives of the Kyiv nationalist regime about the 'rocket attack' allegedly carried out by Russia on April 8 at the railway station in the city of Kramatorsk are a provocation and are absolutely untrue," the Russian Defense Ministry said, according to a report by The New York Times. As proof, the ministry claimed that only Ukrainian forces employ the Tochka-U ballistic missiles said to have been used in the strike. "We emphasize that Tochka-U tactical missiles, fragments of which were found near the Kramatorsk railway station and published by eyewitnesses, are used only by the Ukrainian armed forces," the defense ministry claimed. A pro-Russian militia leader in the Donbas said the same thing. This is likely false. Evidence shows that Russian convoys trucked Tochka-U systems into Belarus. And Russia reflexively blames Ukraine for attacks on civilians, no matter abundant evidence otherwise. LINK: https://www.polygraph.info/a/fact-che... » Subscribe to VOA News: https://bit.ly/3KIPysi » Watch more VOA News video:    / voanews   Voice of America (VOA) is the largest U.S. international broadcaster, providing news and information in more than 40 languages to an estimated weekly audience of 236.8 million people. VOA produces content for digital, television, and radio platforms. It is easily accessed via your mobile phone and on social media. It is also distributed by satellite, cable, FM and MW, and is carried on a network of approximately 3,000 affiliate stations. Since its creation in 1942, Voice of America has been committed to providing comprehensive coverage of the news and telling audiences the truth. Through World War II, the Cold War, the fight against global terrorism, and the struggle for freedom around the globe today, VOA exemplifies the principles of a free press. Connect with VOA News: » VISIT OUR WEBSITE: https://www.voanews.com/ » LIKE OUR FACEBOOK PAGE:   / voiceofamerica   » FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM:   / voanews   » FOLLOW US ON TWITTER:   / voanews