In the town of Izyum in Kharkiv Oblast, which was retaken from Russian forces days ago, Ukrainian police have reportedly found a mass grave containing more than 440 victims. According to police, the casualties were caused by continous Russian airstrikes and shelling over Ukraine. Crosses have been placed on the graves. Some of them have surnames, and others only numbers. The finding of a mass grave in Izyum was linked by the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to the killings in the Russian atrocity-symbolizing cities of Bucha and Mariupol.
Zelensky said, “We want the world to be aware of the Russian occupation’s truth and consequences. Mariupol, Bucha, and now, regrettably, Izyum. Death follows Russia everywhere it goes. They have to answer for their actions. The world has to hold Russia truly accountable for this war”.
Maxim Strelnik, a municipal councillor for the Izyum City Council, earlier declared that, On September 10, the National Guard and VSU forces captured Izyum. 80% of the city’s infrastructure had been destroyed, and at least 1,000 residents had died due to the Russian shelling of residential areas.
Investigation-by-procedure work has been done. The remains will be the subject of an investigation to gather proof of war crimes committed by Russia, according to Serhiy Bolvinov, the head police investigator for the Kharkiv region. Today, both Ukrainian and foreign journalists are anticipated at the location.
After Russia ruled the area for a while, investigator Bolinov noted that Ukrainian authorities are also aware of numerous such mass graves in the Kharkiv region.
Yesterday, Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, paid a visit to Kyiv and offered 100 million euros in aid for repairing Ukrainian schools, which were damaged by combat operations.
The US also announced that it was giving Ukraine further military assistance worth $600 million to support Ukrainian forces in their conflict with Russian forces. The help comes in the form of tools, services, and instruction.