Germany accuses Russia of war crimes as Ukrainians left in the cold

The German government on Wednesday accused Russia of war crimes in Ukraine after renewed attacks on the country's energy infrastructure left many citizens without heating and electricity amid freezing winter weather.

"Hundreds of thousands of children, elderly people and entire families are having to endure freezing temperatures without electricity, heating or hot water," deputy government spokesman Steffen Meyer said in Berlin.

"[Russian President Vladimir] Putin is using the cold as a weapon," the spokesman said, describing the attacks as "deeply inhumane and contemptuous of human life."

"In our view, Putin's Russia is committing war crimes here," he added.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, more than 1 million residents are currently without electricity in Kiev alone following the latest Russian attacks.

Germany "condemns these continued massive Russian airstrikes in the strongest possible terms," the spokesman said.

Despite many other disputes on the international stage, the events in Ukraine deserve clear focus, he said. Ending this war should "continue to be the central common concern of Europe, Ukraine, the US and also the international community."