WASHINGTON — Antony Blinken, Secretary of State, warned Tuesday that Russia is increasing its human rights violations in Ukraine. 

The top U.S. diplomat spoke virtually before the UN Human Rights Council that Russian strikes were hitting schools and hospitals as well as residential buildings. Critical infrastructure is what provides water and gas for the millions of Ukrainians. Bombardments have occurred to civilian vehicles and buses as well as ambulances. Russia is doing this every day – across Ukraine.”

Blinken said more than 500,000 Ukrainians have fled the country so far to neighboring NATO member states to seek refuge. Ukraine, which isn’t a NATO member, is bordered on four sides by NATO members: Poland, Slovakia Hungary, Romania, and Hungary.

U.S. Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Ambassador to United Nations Linda Thomas Greenfield warned last week that Russia’s aggression against Ukraine may lead to one the most severe refugee crises on the planet.

“If Russia continues on this path it could, according our estimates, create a refugee crisis. One of the most serious facing the world right now with as many 5 million people displaced from Russia’s conflict of choice,” Thomas Greenfield told the United Nations in a Feb. 23 speech.

This is Putin’s war choice. Russia and Russia alone are responsible for any further escalation, if Putin chooses,” she said.

The State Department approved over the weekend a $54 million humanitarian aid package for those who were affected by Russia’s continued invasion. Since 2014, this brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance for Ukraine to $405 million.

USAID stated that the additional assistance will provide “critically required health care, safe water, sanitation and hygiene supplies, protection of vulnerable children…critical emergency supplies as well emergency food assistance, high thermal blankets, and critical emergency medical supplies.”

Blinken also asked whether Russia should not be excluded from the United Nations Human Rights Council.

“One can reasonably ask whether a U.N. member state that tries to take over another U.N. member state – while committing horrific human rights abuses and causing massive humanitarian suffering – should be allowed to remain on this Council,” Blinken said.