Ukraine on Sunday accused Russian forces of carrying out a massacre in the town of Bucha, while Western nations reacted to images of dead bodies there with calls for new sanctions against Moscow.
Russia’s defense ministry denied the Ukrainian allegations, saying footage and photographs showing bodies in Bucha were “yet another provocation” by the Ukrainian government.
The images from the town, 37 km (23 miles) northwest of Kyiv’s city centre, emerged after Ukraine said on Saturday its forces had reclaimed control of the whole Kyiv region and liberated towns from Russian troops.
Georgian authorities, along with world leaders, strongly condemned the Bucha massacre.
President Salome Zurabishvili said, “it’s tough imagining a world where the Bucha Massacre exists.”
She continued: “But it’s here. We live in it. Georgian past means that we know what Bucha represents – crime against humanity, wound that takes too long to heal. Ukraine’s resistance will not be defeated. But this will never be forgotten.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia condemned the Bucha Massacre and the inhumanity directed against innocent civilians.
“We are devastated by the scenes of brutal atrocities. All those involved in these war crimes must bear responsibility! Our heartfelt condolences to the Ukrainian people. We stand with Ukraine,” the Georgian MFA wrote on Twitter.
The Speaker of the Georgian Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, condemned the killings of civilians in Bucha. Parliament Speaker posted a statement on Twitter.
“Shocked by horrible atrocities in Bucha and other places of Ukraine. Reminded me of brutal crimes against peaceful civilians in Abkhazia in the early 1990s and Tskhinvali region in 2008. It must end, perpetrators must be brought to justice,” Shalva Papuashvili tweeted.
By Ana Dumbadze
Image: 1st Channel
