Russia stands accused of “terrible” war crimes, as European leaders condemned the killings of unarmed civilians in Bucha and the surrounding areas of Kyiv in alleged atrocities that have led to fresh demands for tougher action against Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said the Kremlin-ordered attack on his country amounted to genocide, after local officials reported scores of civilians had been killed in the towns of Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel near the capital following the withdrawal of Russian forces.
Ukraine’s foreign minister, Dymtro Kuleba, said Russia was “worse than Isis”.
But Russia’s defense ministry denied accusations of Russian troops killing civilians in the suburban town of Bucha.
Bucha massacre proves that Russian hatred towards Ukrainians is beyond anything Europe has seen since WWII. The only way to stop this: help Ukraine kick Russians out as soon as possible. Partners know our needs. Tanks, combat aircraft, heavy air defense systems. Provide them NOW. pic.twitter.com/LX5S3KVrwD
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) April 3, 2022
Declaring a national day of mourning on Monday, Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu said: „We are shocked, along with the whole world, by the massacre in the city of Bucha near Kyiv. Moldova strongly condemns these crimes against humanity, just as it condemns this illegal and unprovoked war,” waged Russia against Ukraine.
British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said the killings added to evidence of Russian war crimes. German chancellor, Olaf Scholz, expressed shock about the “terrible and horrifying” footage from Bucha.
“Streets littered with bodies. Bodies buried in makeshift conditions. There is talk of women, children and the elderly among the victims,” the German leader said.
„We are deeply horrified by the images of civilians killed in the city of Bucha, Ukraine,” Moldova’s foreign ministry said.
Jean-Yves Le Drian, France’s foreign minister, pledged France would work with Ukrainian authorities and the international criminal court (ICC) “to ensure these acts don’t go unpunished and that those responsible are being sent to trial and convicted”.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said she was “appalled by reports of unspeakable horrors in areas from which Russia is withdrawing”. An independent investigation was urgently needed, she said, and “perpetrators of war crimes will be held accountable”.
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