KIEV: Ukraine has accused Russia of war crimes in connection with the discovery of hundreds of civilian bodies in the town of Bucha, near the capital Kiev. Ukraine has launched an investigation into the matter. Following international criticism of the massacre, Russian troops withdrew from the Kiev region and returned to the eastern part of Ukraine.
Most of the bodies were found in Bucha, 37 km from downtown Kiev, with their limbs tied and shot in the head. Bucha Deputy Mayor Taras Shaprovsky said more than 400 bodies had been recovered. The deputy mayor also alleged that the victims were victims of Russian illegal activities.
However, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that no civilians had been attacked in Bucha. The ministry said the images and video footage released by Ukraine were intended to provoke protests.
Mass grave in the churchyard
Meanwhile, satellite images indicate that a 45-foot-long mass grave was found in a mosque in Bucha. Archyde.com reported that the limbs of the bodies might be seen above the soil in the pit, which was not completely covered.
Russia continued its offensive yesterday in the southern Ukrainian cities of Kherson, Odessa and the eastern region. Russia claims to have destroyed an oil refinery used by Ukrainian forces in Odessa. The Odessa City Council said the Russian attack had damaged infrastructure.
Britain says Russia has sent in mercenaries
British military intelligence reports that Russian troops are moving into the east with mercenaries from the private military company Wagner. Luhansk regional governor Sergei Gaide warned on television that the Russian army would destroy everything and evacuate the city as soon as possible. Last Sunday alone, 2,600 people were evacuated from the port cities of Mariupol and Luhansk, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Irina Verschuk said. They said they were in talks with Russia regarding allowing Red Cross buses to enter Mariupol for evacuation. Earlier in the day, Russian envoy Vladimir Medinsky made it clear that talks with Ukraine would resume via video conference. Selensky, who visited the area, said that the Russian army had carried out atrocities in Bucha that had not even been done to animals.
US President Joe Biden has called for the trial of Russian President Vladimir Putin on war crimes charges. The Bucha massacre is a direct testament to Russia’s brutal aggression.
Russia and Putin must suffer the consequences. Biden has threatened to impose tougher sanctions on Russia.
