Ukrainian prosecutor says Russia uses rape as a war tactic, calls Putin a war criminal

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Iryna Venediktova holds a news briefing, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Irpin, outside Kyiv, Ukraine May 3, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

IRPIN, Ukraine (Reuters) - Ukraine's prosecutor general accused Russia on Tuesday of using rape as a tactic of war and described Russian President Vladimir Putin as "the main war criminal of the 21st century".

Russia has previously denied targeting civilians and has rejected allegations that its forces have committed war crimes in Ukraine.