Russian forces are also said to be preparing for a new offensive in southeastern Ukraine after withdrawing from Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed to locate Russian troops behind alleged war crimes, saying Moscow “can not deceive the whole world” despite its efforts to “distort the facts”. Despite high-resolution images that contribute to growing evidence that Russians have committed war crimes in Bucha, the Kremlin has claimed that the scenes in the city were “directed” and “cynical Ukrainian propaganda.” Ukrainian battalion denies surrender claims – last for the war in Ukraine Vladimir Putin’s government is sending troops to southeastern Ukraine to gain control of the industrial heart known as Donbass, according to the Ukrainian military. Key developments:
Russia denies killing civilians in Bukhara and claims the bodies were placed by Ukraine Zelensky to address UN Security Council on war crimes allegations at 14:00 GMT Kremlin forces are reportedly preparing for an attack in the Donbas area The US warns that the next phase of the war may be prolonged with Russian troops outnumbering those in Ukraine
Satellite images show corpses in Bucha High-resolution satellite images show that many of the bodies found in the countryside in Bucha were there for weeks, during the period when Russian forces occupied the city. The bodies are clearly visible in two images taken by Maxar Technologies, a US space technology company, two weeks apart on March 19 and March 31, disproving allegations that they were planted after the Russian withdrawal. The city, home to about 35,000 people before the war and popular with passengers, was liberated by Ukrainian forces at the weekend. The images were first rated by the New York Times. Annalena Baerbock, the German foreign minister, said the images revealed the “incredible barbarity of the Russian leadership and those who follow its propaganda.” Image: Another image from March 19 appears to show corpses. Photo: Maxar Technologies Russia denounces “fake” One of Putin’s closest allies said on Tuesday that allegations that Russian forces had executed civilians in Bukhara were Ukrainian and Western propaganda aimed at discrediting Russia. “These are fabrications that have matured in the cynical imagination of Ukrainian propaganda,” said Dmitry Medvedev, the Russian president from 2008 to 2012. Liz Trass, the UK Foreign Secretary, said there was growing evidence of “indiscriminate attacks on innocent civilians” and that they should be investigated as war crimes. “We will not allow Russia to cover up its involvement in these atrocities through cynical misinformation and we will ensure that the reality of Russia’s actions is brought to light,” he said. Image: Residents say they have buried civilians killed by Russian soldiers Kremlin forces are gathering for a new attack Russian forces were preparing for an attack in the Donbas region on Tuesday, the Ukrainian military said. After withdrawing from cities around Kyiv, Putin’s forces are said to be focusing on occupying the cities of Popasna and Rubizne in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and the port of Mariupol on the Black Sea, the General Staff wrote on Facebook. Donetsk and Luhansk are controlled by Russian-backed separatists and recognized by Moscow as independent states. The General Staff said access to Kharkiv in the east, Ukraine’s second largest city, was blocked. Jake Sullivan, a U.S. national security adviser, warned Monday that Russia may be planning to deploy tens of thousands of troops in eastern Ukraine as it shifts its focus to the south and east. Image: Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Bucha on Monday Zelensky will address the UN After a visit to Bucharest on Monday, Mr Zelensky reiterated his call for more deadly help from Western leaders, questioning why they had been seized with “doubts and indecision”. He will speak to the UN Security Council later on Tuesday on allegations of war crimes. “What is happening in Bucha is outrageous and everyone is watching,” President Joe Biden said Monday.
