Moscow [Russia], April 3 (ANI/Sputnik): Photos and video footage published by Ukraine allegedly evidencing the Russian forces’ crimes in the town of Bucha close to Kyiv are yet another provocation, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. “All photos and video materials published by the Kyiv regime allegedly testifying to some ‘crimes’ committed by Russian soldiers in the town of Bucha, Kyiv region, is another provocation. Not a single local resident has suffered from any violent actions while the Russian armed forces controlled the settlement,” the ministry said.

All Russian units completely withdrew from Bucha as early as March 30, the day after the talks were held between Russia and Ukraine in Turkey, the ministry added. “The photos and video footage from Bucha are yet another production by the Kyiv regime for the Western media, just like what happened in Mariupol with the maternity hospital as well as in other cities,” the ministry noted.

Throughout the time the town was controlled by the Russian armed forces and until today, residents could freely move around the town and use cellular communications, with the exits from Bucha also not blocked. Residents could flee the settlement in the northern direction, including to Belarus, at any time, the ministry said. “Meanwhile, the southern outskirts of the town, including residential neighborhoods, were shelled round the clock by Ukrainian troops with large-caliber artillery, tanks, and multiple rocket launchers,” the ministry added. (ANI/Sputnik)

European Union condemns Russian ‘atrocities’ committed in Ukrainian towns

Brussels [Belgium], April 4 (ANI): The European Union on Monday condemned in the strongest possible terms the reported atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces in a number of occupied Ukrainian towns that have now been liberated.

High Representative Josep Borrell in a declaration on behalf of the EU on Russian atrocities committed in Ukrainian towns, said that haunting images of large numbers of civilian deaths and casualties, as well as the destruction of civilian infrastructure, show the true face of the brutal war of aggression Russia is waging against Ukraine and its people. “The massacres in the town of Bucha and other Ukrainian towns will be inscribed in the list of atrocities committed on European soil,” read the statement.

According to the statement, the Russian authorities are responsible for these atrocities, committed while they had effective control of the area. They are subject to the international law of occupation.
The perpetrators of war crimes and other serious violations as well as the responsible government officials and military leaders will be held accountable, said the statement.

The European Union supports all measures to ensure accountability for human rights violations and violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine by Russian Armed forces. “In particular, we fully support the investigation launched by the ICC Prosecutor into war crimes and crimes against humanity as well as the work of the OHCHR Commission of Inquiry. The EU is assisting the Ukrainian Prosecutor General and Civil Society focused on collection and preservation of the evidences of war crimes,” read the statement. “We stand in full solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in these sombre hours for the whole world. The EU will continue to firmly support Ukraine and will advance, as a matter of urgency, work on further sanctions against Russia.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin “must stop this war” immediately and unconditionally. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities. Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia. (ANI)

European Commission President speaks with Zelenskyy about atrocities in Ukraine

Brussels [Belgium], April 4 (ANI): European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about the atrocities in Bucha and elsewhere in Ukraine. “This afternoon I spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the dreadful murders that have been uncovered in Bucha and other areas from which Russian troops have recently left,” European Commission President said in a statement.

European Commission President said that she has assured him of the European Commission’s full support in these terrible times. “The harrowing images cannot and will not be left unanswered.” “The perpetrators of these heinous crimes must not go unpunished. We agreed to ensure close coordination between us,” the statement said. “The EU has set up a Joint Investigation Team with Ukraine to collect evidence and investigate war crimes and crimes against humanity. The EU is ready to reinforce this effort by sending investigation teams on the ground to support the Ukrainian Prosecution Services.

Eurojust and Europol are ready to assist,” read the statement. She said, “a global response is necessary. There are ongoing talks between Eurojust and the International Criminal Court to join forces and for the Court to be part of the Joint Investigation Team. Such a coordinated approach from the Ukrainian authorities, the EU, its Member States and agencies, and the International Criminal Court will allow for the evidence to be collected, analyzed, and processed in the most complete and effective way possible.”

“I have tasked Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders to follow up and make contact with the Ukrainian Prosecutor General. The Commission will provide all the necessary technical and financial support to all EU-led investigations,” the statement added. Russian forces launched military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognized Ukraine’s breakaway regions – Donetsk and Luhansk – as independent entities.

Several countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia’s military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised to help Ukraine with military aid to fight Russia. (ANI)

Russia committed war crime in Bucha, says Biden

Washington [US], April 4 (ANI): US President Joe Biden on Monday called the atrocities allegedly committed by Russia in Bucha, Ukraine, a “war crime” adding that Russian President Vladimir Putin is a “war criminal”. On Sunday, the media reports emerged with footage allegedly taken in the town of Bucha near Kyiv with a number of bodies of dead people lying on the road.

Biden said Bucha atrocities is not a genocide, adding that he is looking into more sanctions on Russia. Asked whether the crimes committed in Bucha warrant the situation of a genocide, Biden told reporters,” No. I think it’s a war crime,” reported CNN News. Biden also said he was “seeking more sanctions” and would be announcing them shortly. “You may remember I got criticized for calling Putin a war criminal. Well, the truth of the matter is you saw what happened in Bucha. This warrants him — he is a war criminal. But we have to gather the information. We have to continue to provide Ukraine with the weapons they need to continue the fight and we have to get all the details so this can be actual — have a war-crime trial. This guy is brutal and what’s happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone’s seen it,” Biden told reporters, as per the News Channel.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged on Sunday to conduct an independent probe of the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha near Kyiv. “I am deeply shocked by the images of civilians killed in Bucha, Ukraine. It is essential that an independent investigation leads to effective accountability,” Guterres tweeted. Russian Defense Ministry has called this a staged operation by the Ukrainian authorities. On the other hand, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy termed this incident as “genocide.”(ANI)