Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of using terror tactics and phosphorous bombs to attack civilians in Ukraine.

“The Russian army is using all types of artillery, all types of missile, air bombs in particular phosphorous bombs against residential districts and civilian infrastructure,” explained Mr Zelensky while addressing the Estonian parliament. “This is clear terror against the civilian population.”

He did not provide evidence, and Reuters has not been able to verify his claims independently.

Russia denied targeting civilians since it invaded Ukraine on February 24 and said Ukrainian and western allegations of war crimes were fabricated.

Ukraine said it was checking unverified information that Russia might have used chemical weapons while besieging the southern Ukrainian port city of Mariupol.

However, Russia-backed separatists trying to seize complete control of the city denied using chemical weapons. 

Russia had in the past labelled U.S. talk of Russian forces using chemical weapons as a tactic to divert attention away from awkward questions for Washington.

There was no immediate reaction from Moscow to Mr Zelenskiy’s comments.

Mr Zelensky also said Russia was forcibly deporting Ukrainians and called for economic sanctions on Russia to continue, saying they are the only way to force Russia to agree on peace terms.

(Reuters/NAN)