In a videotaped message to Russian citizens, he highlighted the alleged massacre in the city of Bukha and encouraged them to learn the truth about Mr Putin’s barbaric attack. The British Prime Minister said that the Russian population only needs a VPN internet connection to access independent information from around the world. “Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war,” he said. “She knows that these crimes betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly bids farewell to her son as he goes to join the army. “And he knows it’s a stain on Russia’s own honor.” Speaking in Russian, he added: “Your president is accused of war crimes. “But I can not believe he is acting in your name.” This is not the first time Mr Johnson has spoken directly to the Russian public in his own language. Two days after the outbreak of war in late February, the prime minister spoke in Russian to his people, saying: “I do not believe this war is in your name.” He also spoke Ukrainian after urging an end to the conflict “because the world needs a free and sovereign Ukraine.” Ukrainian soldiers inspect damaged Russian military equipment in Bukha (EPA) On Tuesday, the Ukrainian ombudsman said between 150 and 300 bodies could be found in a mass grave in a church in the northern city of Bukha, where Ukraine accuses Russian troops of killing civilians. Russia has called the killing of civilians “monstrous forgery” aimed at discrediting the Russian military. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the UN Security Council that those responsible should immediately face charges of war crimes before a tribunal such as the one created in Nuremberg after World War II. Appearing on video, he said that civilians were shot in the back of the head after being tortured, grenades were blown up in their apartments and they were crushed to death by tanks while in cars. “They cut limbs, they cut their throats. Women were raped and killed in front of their children. “Their language came out only because their attacker did not hear what they wanted to hear from them,” he said. He said both those who committed the killings and those who gave the orders “should be brought to justice immediately for war crimes” before a tribunal similar to that used in post-war Germany. Read the video of Mr. Johnson’s appeal in detail below: “The Russian people deserve the truth, you deserve the facts. [Spoken in Russian] “The atrocities committed by Russian troops in Bucha, Irpin and elsewhere in Ukraine have terrified the world. “Citizens were slaughtered – shot with their hands tied. “Women were raped in front of their young children.” The bodies were burned wildly, dumped in mass graves or simply left on the street. “The reports are so shocking, so creepy, it’s no wonder your government is trying to hide them from you. “Your president knows that if you could see what was happening, you would not support his war. “She knows that these crimes betray the trust of every Russian mother who proudly bids farewell to her son as he goes to join the army. “And he knows it’s a stain on Russia’s honor.” A stain that will grow and become more indelible every day as this war continues. “But do not take my word for it. “All you need is a VPN connection to access independent information from anywhere in the world. “And when you find the truth, share it.” Those responsible will be held accountable. “And history will remember who looked the other way. “Your president is accused of war crimes. [Spoken in Russian]”But I can not believe he is acting in your name. [Spoken in Russian]”
