'Massacre Allegations' 650 Bodies Found in Bucha, Ukraine... "Shot by Russian Soldiers"

Civilian Bodies Found in Bucha, Kyiv Outskirts
"650 out of 1000 Victims Shot by Russian Troops, Not Bombing or Shrapnel"
Children's Camp Site Also Used as Massacre Location

A cemetery in Bucha, a suburb of the capital of Ukraine.
[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] It has been claimed that out of 1,000 bodies found in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, 650 were shot dead by Russian troops.

On the 16th (local time), according to the BBC, Andriy Nebytov, head of the Kyiv Regional Police Department, stated, "Among the 1,000 people killed in Bucha during the Russian military occupation, 650 did not die from bombings or shrapnel, but were directly shot by Russian soldiers."

Previously, allegations of mass civilian killings by Russian troops in Bucha had been raised. On the 22nd of last month (local time), Ravina Shamdasani, spokesperson for the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, reported that the UN human rights monitoring team confirmed 50 victims locally in relation to suspicions of summary executions and other killings of civilians by Russian forces in Bucha.

According to reports, the massacre site included a children's camp called 'Camp Radiant.' At this camp, on the 4th of last month, five bodies were found kneeling with their heads bowed and their hands tied behind their backs.

Regarding this, Chief Nebytov claimed that these individuals were tortured before being killed. He said, "The Russian military has crossed the line in the way they conduct the war," adding, "They were kidnapping and torturing civilians without fighting the Ukrainian army."

The BBC reported finding traces of the Russian military in the camp's garbage heap. It was packaging from a parcel sent by a woman to a soldier belonging to the Russian 'Unit 6720,' with the soldier's name and unit clearly indicated. Previously, soldiers from this unit were also caught on closed-circuit television (CCTV) trying to send looted goods from Bucha to their families.

However, the media added that it is unclear whether soldiers from this unit were actually present at the camp or during the massacre at the camp.

Ukrainian authorities are making efforts to locate the Russian soldiers who were at the scene during the camp massacre. They are also searching other recaptured areas for evidence of similar war crimes to clarify responsibility. Chief Nebytov said, "We are moving as quickly as possible in case Russian President Vladimir Putin tries to destroy evidence by dropping bombs."