Ukrainian mall attack is a war crime: G7

Firefighters at a shopping centre in Kremenchuk, Ukraine
At least 16 people died in the shopping centre attack in Kremenchuk and 59 were injured. -EPA

The leaders of the G7 group of industrialised nations have condemned a Russian missile strike on a crowded shopping centre in the Ukrainian city of Kremenchuk, describing the "abominable attack" as a "war crime".

"Indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians constitute a war crime. Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held to account," said a statement on Monday evening by participants at the G7 summit in the Bavarian Alps.

At least 16 people died in the Monday afternoon attack and 59 were injured, some seriously, according to preliminary figures issued by Ukrainian authorities.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said more than 1000 people had been in the shopping centre at the time of the attack.

"We stand united with Ukraine in mourning the innocent victims of this brutal attack," they wrote in a joint statement tweeted by the German government spokesperson. 

"Russian President Putin and those responsible will be held to account."

DPA with Reuters