EU: Russian authorities responsible for atrocities in Bucha and other towns in Ukraine

The massacres in the town of Bucha and other Ukrainian towns will be inscribed in the list of atrocities committed on European soil, and not only murderers but also Russia's political and military leadership must be held accountable.

“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,” reads the Declaration by High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the EU on Russian atrocities committed in Bucha and other Ukrainian towns, released on the website of the Council of EU.

As noted, the EU fully supports 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 the war crimes.

“The European Union condemns 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. Haunting images of large numbers of civilian deaths and casualties, as well as destruction of civilian infrastructures 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,” the High Representative of the Union underscored.

In the statement, the EU expressed its 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.

“President Putin must stop this war immediately and unconditionally,” Borrell stressed.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched an unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine. Russia continues mass bombing and shelling of residential areas of Ukrainian cities and towns, deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure.

Following the liberation of Kyiv region from the occupiers, the whole world found out about the mass killings and brutal crimes against civilians committed by Russian troops in towns earlier captured by them. Ukraine has begun collecting documentary evidence of genocide against the population, crimes against humanity and violations of international humanitarian law committed by Russian aggressors. Ukraine calls on the world community to participate in the investigation into these crimes and to bring all Russian criminals to justice.

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