Natalia Zinets (James Mackenzie), Oleksandr Kozhukhar

KYIV/LVIV Ukraine, (Reuters) – International outrage at Russia’s invasion Ukraine grew Thursday after U.S.-Ukrainian officials stated that Russian forces killed Ukrainian civilians sheltering in a theatre and waiting in line to get bread.

In comments that the Kremlin called “unforgivable”, President Joe Biden described Russian leader Vladimir Putin as a war criminal. The Kremlin also claimed the Kremlin was insisting the war in Ukraine is “going to plan” amid talks of peace negotiations.

Moscow is yet to seize any major cities in Ukraine, despite the biggest attack on Europe since World War Two. The war is now in its fourth week and more than 3,000,000 Ukrainians have fled, while thousands of people have been killed.

According to Ukraine’s foreign ministry, Russian forces dropped an explosive bomb on the Mariupol theatre. This left many civilians trapped. The number of deaths is unknown. Reuters couldn’t independently verify this information.

Maxar Technologies (NYSE;), a U.S. private company, provided satellite imagery that it claimed was acquired on March 14. It also displayed “children” in large Russian script on the ground.

Human Rights Watch claims that the theatre was home to at least 500 civil servants.

Belkis Wille, a rights activist, stated that this raises grave concerns regarding the target of the attack in a city under siege since days, where civilians are already suffering severe hardships and power, water and telecommunications have all been cut off.

Moscow claims it did not target civilians, and Russia’s defense ministry claimed its forces hadn’t struck the building.

Russian defense ministry said that thirteen buses with around 300 people from Mariupol had arrived in Russia’s Rostov Region.

According to the U.S. Embassy, 10 Russian soldiers had killed those waiting for bread in Chernihiv (northeast of Kyiv). Russia denies the attack, claiming that it was an elaborate hoax.

Russia was ordered Wednesday by the United Nations top court to resolve disputes among states that it had been using force in Ukraine.

‘NEUTRAL STATUS’

The Ukrainian Presidential Advisor Oleksiy Andrevych stated that the armed forces of Ukraine are carrying out small-scale counterattacks on various fronts, while Russian troops have been unable to take ground in response.

At the ongoing talks between Russia, Ukraine and Germany there was evidence of compromise and some progress.

According to The Kremlin’s statement, the negotiators discussed a Ukraine status similar to those of Austria or Sweden. These are both NATO members and not part of NATO.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that neutral status was being discussed in detail, along with security guarantees. “There are very specific formulas that I believe are closer to an agreement.”

Vladimir Medinsky was Russia’s chief negotiator. He said that Ukraine offered an Austrian- or Swedish version a neutral state demilitarized, and at the exact same time, a state equipped with an army, navy, and other military capabilities.

Sweden and Austria are two of six EU countries that have the most members other than NATO. They both have small military forces that can cooperate with the alliance.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy, President of Ukraine, said that Ukraine would accept security guarantees from other countries that were not in line with its long-standing goal to become NATO members. Russia has always been concerned about this possibility.

Zelenskiy declared that “my priorities during negotiations are absolutely crystal clear: end of war, guarantees security, sovereignty and restoration of territorial integrity; real guarantees for my country, real protection,” in a video speech released Thursday morning.

Zelenskiy, in a Wednesday speech to Congress, reiterated his request for an international no-fly zone around Ukraine. The West has rejected this proposal.

He said, “In the darkest hour for our country and for Europe as a whole, I ask you to do more.”

To fight Russia, the United States has announced additional security aid to Ukraine of $800 million. The new package includes drones, antiarmour, and anti-aircraft system.

Biden later condemned Putin, saying that more equipment will come as they source it from additional sources.

Reporters were told by him that he was a war criminal.

NATO defense ministers met in Brussels and pledged additional arms to Ukraine.

On Friday, the U.N. Security Council will vote on a Russian-drafted request for humanitarian access and civil protection. Diplomats warn that the measure could fail as it doesn’t push for the end of the fighting or the withdrawal of troops.