The list of ethnic Greeks killed in Mariupol (eastern Ukraine) today from Russian bombing is increasing, with the number now reaching ten.
It was recently reported that in the village of Sartana, which has been under relentless air pounding (without specifications on whether it was artillery shells, missiles fired from fighter jets or shots fired by Russian ships moving in the Sea of Azov), that there are four dead ethnic Greeks.
Within a few hours, due to the relentless strikes by Russian forces in the wider area of Mariupol, 10 Greeks have lost their lives.
READ MORE: Ukrainian flag illuminates Greek Parliament facade.
The first two ethnic Greeks lost their lives in a bombing in the village of Sartana, about 10 kilometres outside Mariupol, and six more Greeks were injured – including a child.
A short time later, four more Greeks were found dead in the village of Bouhas, 70 kilometres north of Mariupol.
On Saturday night, it became known that four more ethnic Greeks were killed in explosions in the village of Sartana.
All 10 Greeks killed, as well as the six wounded, were civilians.
Rage from Foreign Minister: Russia to stop criminal attacks
The Foreign Ministry called on the Russian Federation to stop its invasion of Ukraine in a statement.
“The airstrikes against civilians, which continue in the village of Sartana and which led to the death of four more ethnic Greeks, are unacceptable criminal acts.
“We condemn them unequivocally.
“We call on the Russian Federation to immediately cease air strikes and any action against civilians,” the statement said.
Deeply saddened by the sudden death of 4 Diaspora Greeks in the village of Buhas, 70 kilometers north of Mariupol
We extend our sincere condolences to the victims’ loved ones and unequivocally condemn the ongoing attacks against civiliansStatement⤵️https://t.co/cmDt1RD3bg https://t.co/mfc3OSy13H pic.twitter.com/iD71NELGKw
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) February 26, 2022
Another announcement was made by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which resulted in the death of two ethnic Greeks and the wounding of six more.
.@GreeceMFA Statement on Russian aerial bombardment that resulted in the death of two Diaspora Greeks and the injury of six others on the outskirts of the village of #Sartana in Eastern #Ukraine
➡️https://t.co/zpXyHGYZb0 https://t.co/cdODxgZ5Uu pic.twitter.com/hor5xlLPMg
— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) February 26, 2022
Russian embassy: Ukrainian army kills civilians
In a statement after the first tragic incident with the two dead Greeks, the Russian embassy claimed, among other things, in its statement that the Ukrainian army and the nationalist neo-Nazi battalions have been known to bomb civilians.
The embassy’s announcement in detail:
“We express our deep sorrow over the death and injury of Greek expatriates in the Donbas area.
“For our part, we assure with full responsibility that the objectives of the Russian special military operation are exclusively military units and infrastructure.
“We do not bomb residential areas and villages, nor any political or social infrastructure.
“On the outskirts of the village of Sartana, the Russian Air and Space Forces were not operating today.
“At the same time, we note that the Ukrainian army and neo-Nazi nationalist battalions have been known for many years to strike, even with heavy weapons, at civilians.
“This is proven and officially recorded.
“We warn that the Kiev regime is likely to use the Greek, as well as other ethnic communities living in Ukraine, precisely to provoke and inflate the anti-Russian reaction from abroad.”
The announcement of the Greek Foreign Minister
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a new announcement after the death of the four ethnic greeks.
“We express our deepest sorrow for the unfortunate death of four ethnic Greeks in the village of Bouhas, which is located about 70 kilometres north of Mariupol ” reads the message of the Greek Foreign Minister.
“We express our sincere condolences to their families and unequivocally condemn the ongoing attacks on civilians,” the statement added.
Mitsotakis: Unacceptable act of Russian attack on civilians
“The death of our compatriots causes sadness and anger for this unacceptable act of Russian attack on civilians,” the Greek Prime Minister tweeted.
“Condolences to their loved ones, he said, adding: “The Greek Consulate in Mariupol remains open to provide assistance.”
Ο θάνατος ομογενών μας, προκαλεί θλίψη και οργή για αυτή την απαράδεκτη πράξη ρωσικής επίθεσης σε αμάχους. Συλλυπητήρια στους οικείους τους. Το Ελληνικό Προξενείο στη Μαριούπολη παραμένει ανοιχτό για την παροχή βοήθειας.
— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) February 26, 2022
Tsipras: Condolences to the families of the expatriates – The Russian invasion to end immediately
“Condolences to the families of our expatriates for the tragic loss of our 6 compatriots,” Tsipras said.
“The Russian invasion of Ukraine must end immediately,” the opposition leader added.
“Let the weapons be silenced and the way be opened for diplomacy,” he concluded.
Συλλυπητήρια στις οικογένειες των ομογενών μας για την τραγική απώλεια των 6 συμπατριωτών μας.
Η Ρωσική εισβολή στην Ουκρανία πρέπει να τερματιστεί άμεσα.
Να σιγήσουν τα όπλα και να ανοίξει ο δρόμος για τη διπλωματία.— Αλέξης Τσίπρας – Alexis Tsipras (@atsipras) February 26, 2022
READ MORE: Germany to Provide Ukraine Anti-Tank Weapons, Missiles.