Territories retaken: Ukraine sees evidence of war crimes

Ukrainian prosecutors have announced investigations: There are also indications of war crimes in the recaptured eastern areas. The same pictures were seen in Bucha, said President Zelensky.

After the withdrawal of Russian troops from the east of the country, Ukraine sees evidence of war crimes in the area. Prosecutors announced the establishment of investigative teams. According to this, six bodies with signs of torture were discovered in recaptured villages. “We have a terrible picture of what the occupiers did, especially in the Kharkiv region,” said Attorney General Andriy Kostin. “Cities like Balakliya, Izyum stand in a row with Bucha, Borodyanka, Irpin.”

The head of the Kharkiv prosecutor’s office, Oleksandr Filchakov, said bodies were found in the villages of Hrakove and Zalisnychne, about 60 kilometers south-east of the city of Kharkiv. The authorities had previously reported four bodies in Zalisnychne. Filchakov said investigators also learned that local residents in the recaptured town of Balakliya had been killed and buried by Russian soldiers.

Senior Ukrainian police officer Serhiy Bolvinov from Balakliya reported that the invaders had maintained a torture prison at the local police station. Around 40 people were always locked up in the basement during the occupation, which lasted several months. According to witnesses, prisoners were tortured with electric shocks, according to the investigators.

“The same destroyed buildings, killed people”

During a visit to the recaptured city of Izyum, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the sight was shocking, but not surprising. The same images were seen in Bucha and other areas from which the Russian soldiers were withdrawing. “The same destroyed buildings, killed people.”

Zelenskyy was also present when the Ukrainian flag was hoisted again in Izyum. He also announced a further advance of the Ukrainian army: “We are only moving in one direction,” he said – “forward and to victory.” The blue and yellow flag is already flying in the liberated Isjum. “And it will blow in every Ukrainian city and village in the same way.”

According to Ukraine, hundreds of villages recaptured

According to Ukraine, its counter-offensive has been very successful in the north-eastern region of Kharkiv and on the southern front near Cherson on the Black Sea. According to this, Ukrainian troops are said to have recaptured hundreds of villages and towns since the beginning of September. During his visit, Zelenskyy also called Russia’s annexation of Crimea eight years ago a “tragedy” and promised that his troops would eventually retake the peninsula.

The Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanischyna told the French broadcaster France24 that there had recently been certain contacts from the Russian side. At the same time, she qualified: “We shouldn’t just talk about the negotiations, but also the purpose of these contacts by Russia.” Russia may only want to distract with such proposals. “We will be ready to negotiate when the moment is right for Ukraine.”

Kremlin rejected Ukrainian concept

The Kremlin, meanwhile, remained adamant. Moscow described a concept for security guarantees presented by Ukraine as a threat to Russia. Ukraine is still aiming for NATO membership, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency. “Accordingly, the greatest danger for our country remains and thus the reason for the necessity of the military special operation also remains topical, indeed it becomes even more topical.” Russia’s position on the concept is “negative”.

On Tuesday, Kyiv presented a concept for the time after the end of the war. Among other things, a group of countries should guarantee the security of Ukraine politically and legally.