Russian President Vladimir Putin has bestowed an honorary title on a brigade accused of war crimes in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense branded troops in the 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade as war criminals earlier this month, after mass graves containing slain people were uncovered and dead corpses lay on the street following Russian forces’ retreat from the Kyiv region.
Putin praised the unit on their “great heroism and courage” and bestowed the unit the title of “Guards” for “safeguarding Russia’s sovereignty” in a signed letter on Monday.
The president’s celebratory message stated, “Through astute and daring measures during the special military operation in Ukraine, the unit’s staff became a role model in completing its military duty, valour, commitment, and professionalism.”
Following Russia’s quick departure from central Ukraine, reports of summary murders, cruelty, and indiscriminate bombardment surfaced earlier this month. After a harsh takeover that lasted over a month, CNN crews spotted scores of dead buried or scattered across the ground in the ruined suburb of Bucha.
Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has accused Russia for the assassinations and demanded that it stop committing “war crimes.”
The Kremlin has denied any role in the massacres, while repeating false allegations that the photographs of civilian victims in Bucha’s streets are fabricated.
Given Russia’s decision to remove its signature from the ICC statute, which provides the court authority to try individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and aggression, Khan cautioned that ensuring justice in Ukraine would be “difficult.” Russian nationals are not extradited to other nations. Russia has refocused its invasion of Ukraine on the eastern Donbas area since its unsuccessful effort to seize Kyiv.
