Images from Russia’s strike in the heart of Odessa, which hit the so-called “Harry Potter Castle”, a former politician’s mansion now housing parts of the Law School and an attraction of the city, were released on the X platform.

The moment of the Russian cluster munition attack on Odessa.

A senseless war crime in its purest form. This is targeted attack on the city at the day, when people are walking on the streets.

The intention was precisely to kill more random people. pic.twitter.com/CUknHI5EXq

— Денис Казанський (@den_kazansky) April 30, 2024

The footage shows that cluster bombs were deployed in the attack.

The fact that Russia used such bombs within a residential area led many social media users to talk about a war crime.

The video captures the moment when multiple explosions take place near the area of the “Harry Potter Castle”, while many residents were on the streets.

It is recalled that from the Russian strike, at least 4 people lost their lives and 28 others were injured.

Cluster munitions contain hundreds of bombs that scatter over particularly large areas, killing not only soldiers, but civilians as well.

In 2010, the Convention on Cluster Munitions, which prohibits the production, stockpiling, and use of cluster munitions, was signed in Oslo. The said convention has been signed and ratified by 110 states, while another 13 have signed but not ratified it, so they have not formally put it in force.

However, many countries, including Russia, the USA, China, India, and Ukraine have not signed it. Russia has been accused of using cluster munitions sparingly in Syria, while the US had used them firmly in Vietnam.

Also read: USA | Ukraine’s request to send cluster munition accepted