Ukrainian officials have asked the International Criminal Court (ICC) to visit the mass graves of civilians who were brutally killed by Russian forces in Bucha, a suburb North West of Kyiv. Dead bodies with bound hands, some with close range gunshot wounds on their heads, with signs of torture, were found lying across the streets of Bucha on Sunday.
The bodies were discovered as the Russian troops have been withdrawing from the city leaving behind horrific scenes of brutal mass killings and destruction. It is alleged that 410 bodies have been found in the towns which have been retaken by Ukraine from the Russian forces. The images of dead bodies have been condemned by the Western powers.
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There are growing calls for tougher sanctions on Russia as the killing of civilians in Ukraine becomes clear. In a sign of to which extend European leaders were shaken by the mass killings and torture, the German’s defence minister said the European Union is even considering the complete ban of Russian gas imports.
Associated press journalists saw at least 21 bodies of people who were brutally killed around Bucha. A group of nine civilians who were all dressed in civilian clothes were killed at close range with two of the men being tied with their hands behind their backs. One of the men was shot in the head at close range.
Ukraine blames Russia for the mass killing of civilians, but the Russian defence minister has dismissed the accusations calling them a “provocation”.
Source: Associated Press, ANB News, The Washington Post, AP News, NBC News, image from AP News
