Bucha massacre: Global outcry against Russia escalates as horrifying stories emerge of Ukraine atrocities

Russia is dealing with a quickly escalating worldwide outcry as extra horrific photographs and tales are rising of alleged atrocities being dedicated in opposition to Ukrainian civilians.

One Ukrainian lawmaker mentioned that Russian troops beheaded an aged girl who was making an attempt to flee town of Bucha, the place our bodies have been present in mass graves. 

Ukrainian parliament member Oleksiy Goncharenko mentioned Russian troops beheaded an aged girl who was making an attempt to flee town of Bucha, the place our bodies have been present in mass graves, describing the graphic scene within the Kyiv area as a “scene from a horror film.” 

“That is an actual genocide. Russians ought to pay for these battle crimes,” Goncharenko mentioned Monday exterior the automobile the place the grandmother allegedly was touring in along with her daughter and granddaughter earlier than her ugly dying, in accordance with Reuters.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES BELOW

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Ukrainian officers say the our bodies of 410 civilians had been present in Kyiv-area cities and cities – like Bucha – that had been not too long ago retaken from Russian forces. 

Related Press journalists noticed the our bodies of no less than 21 folks in numerous spots round Bucha, northwest of the capital. One group of 9, all in civilian garments, had been scattered round a web site that residents mentioned Russian troops used as a base. They appeared to have been killed at shut vary. At the very least two had their fingers tied behind their backs, one was shot within the head, and one other’s legs had been sure. 

One resident, who refused to present his identify out of concern for his security, advised the AP that Russian troops went constructing to constructing and took folks out of the basements the place they had been hiding, checking their telephones for any proof of anti-Russian exercise earlier than taking them away or taking pictures them. 

Hanna Herega, one other resident, mentioned Russian troops began taking pictures at a neighbor who had gone out to assemble wooden for heating. 

“They hit him a bit above the heel, crushing the bone, and he fell down,” Herega mentioned. “Then they shot off his left leg fully, with the boot. Then they shot him throughout.” 

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Russian troops had rolled into Bucha within the early days of the invasion and stayed up till March 30. 

Russia is denying something to do with the widespread killing of Ukrainian civilians, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying Monday that “we categorically reject the accusations.” 

Russia’s Protection Ministry claimed in a press release that recent pictures and movies of the lifeless our bodies “have been stage managed by the Kyiv regime for the Western media.” 

Russia can be asking Monday for a gathering of the U.N. Safety Council to debate occasions within the metropolis, however the U.S. and Britain have not too long ago accused Russia of utilizing Safety Council conferences to unfold disinformation. 

GRAPHIC IMAGE WARNING: A physique with fingers sure by white material, who in accordance with residents was shot by Russian troopers, lies on the street in Bucha, Ukraine, on Sunday.
(Reuters)

In the meantime, Russia is dealing with a rising avalanche of criticism for its army’s actions in Ukraine throughout an invasion that has now lasted 40 days. 

“You may’t assist however see these photographs as a punch to the intestine,” U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken advised CNN on Sunday when reacting to pictures out of Bucha.  

Blinken mentioned the U.S. is documenting any potential battle crimes and vowed “accountability.” 

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez mentioned Monday that he hopes “every part doable could be achieved in order that these behind these battle crimes don’t go unpunished, and that they will seem earlier than the courts, on this case the Worldwide Prison Court docket, to reply these alleged circumstances of crimes in opposition to humanity, battle crimes and, why not say it, of genocide, too.” 

European Union international coverage chief Josep Borrell mentioned “the Russian authorities are answerable for these atrocities, dedicated whereas they’d efficient management of the realm,” whereas U.N. Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet mentioned “reviews rising from [Bucha] and different areas elevate critical and disturbing questions on doable battle crimes, grave breaches of worldwide humanitarian regulation and critical violations of worldwide human rights regulation.” 

The Related Press contributed to this report.