Over 1,000 Investigators Mobilized for Extensive Investigation
Downloading Russian Military Images and Videos from SNS... Creating Digital Maps with Drones
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] A man wearing a blue vest labeled 'War Crimes Investigator' examines cigarette butts scattered on a boiler-style floor and a red checkered card. Black headphones with a coiled cord and a camouflage jacket lie next to a rugged military radio, and nearby, a soldier ID left by a Russian paratrooper was found.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 12th (local time) that Ukraine has mobilized over 1,000 investigators to launch an extensive investigation into Russia's war crimes, including the killing of hundreds of Ukrainians in the Bucha area. It was also reported that advanced techniques such as drones and facial recognition technology will be utilized in this process.
Investigators from the local prosecutor's office, security agency, and Ministry of Justice aim to identify perpetrators of murder, rape, and assault committed during Russia's occupation of Bucha. To this end, they are reviewing security camera footage and employing forensic methods that combine the footprints and facial recognition technology of villages once occupied by Russian troops.
During this process, evidence confirming identities has been collected, including the passport of a 2002-born Russian soldier from Sverdlovsk Revda and a bank card and COVID-19 vaccination certificate of a 23-year-old police officer from Pskov. Additionally, satellite images are being used to locate the bodies of comrades and civilians.
Data expert groups are downloading images and videos from social networking service (SNS) accounts to match Russian faces with criminal charges. Furthermore, a group of lawyers led by Petro Poroshenko, former president of Ukraine, is investigating the metadata of videos recorded in Bucha during the occupation to be used as evidence in international courts. At the same time, unmanned drones are being flown over Bucha to create digital maps, while scattered evidence is also being collected.
Support from various countries is also being mobilized. An aide to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the United States, Japan, and several European countries have pledged to support the investigation. The French prosecution announced on the 11th that they arrived in Ukraine from Paris to conduct a separate investigation into war crime allegations committed by Russia in Bucha and other areas.
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