UN documents killing of 441 civilians by Russian forces in north Ukraine during occupation

This is reported on the website of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk.

Türk emphasized that information about executions, torture, disappearances and sexual violence against women, girls and men by the Russian army continues to emerge.

"Each day we receive information about war crimes. The scale of civilian casualties, as well as the significant damage and destruction to civilian objects - including hospitals and schools - is  shocking as I saw for myself in Izium. During winter, this has horrible consequences for the most vulnerable. They are struggling with blackouts, with no heating or electricity, going on for hours," says Türk.

During a visit to Bucha, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights saw the destruction left by the Russian invaders in March.

"Today we are issuing a report that details the killings of civilians cutting firewood or buying groceries. The report documents the fate of 441 civilians in parts of three northern regions – Kyiv, Chernihiv and Sumy – that were under Russian control until early April. Bucha was the town hardest hit. We are working to corroborate allegations of additional killings in these regions, and in parts of Kharkiv and Kherson regions that were recently retaken by Ukrainian forces," the statement says.

In addition, the UN Monitoring Mission is working to confirm reports of killings in the south of Ukraine, as well as in Kharkiv and Kherson regions, which were recently retaken by Ukrainian soldiers.

"There are strong indications that the summary executions documented in the report constitute the war crime of wilful killing. I urge justice for all victims, whoever they are, with respect for their dignity and humanity. The imperative for accountability is not altered by the affiliation of the victim or perpetrator. All allegations of violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law – by whomever and wherever committed - must be promptly investigated and brought to justice, under a fair and independent legal process," added the UN High Commissioner for human rights