Russian atrocities in Bucha result of “deliberate campaign” - Blinken

The killings in the Ukrainian town of Bucha were no random act of a rogue Russian military unit but part of a deliberate Russian campaign to commit atrocities.

That’s according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Ukrinform reports, referring to Reuters.

"What we've seen in Bucha is not the random act of a rogue unit," Blinken said. "It's a deliberate campaign to kill, to torture, to rape, to commit atrocities. The reports are more than credible, the evidence is there for the world to see."

Grim images emerging from the town of Bucha near Kyiv include a mass grave and bound bodies of people shot at close range, prompting calls for tougher action against Moscow and an international investigation.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said at least 300 civilians had been killed in Bucha and many more dead were likely to be found in other areas. He was due to speak by video on Tuesday to the United Nations Security Council.

President Joe Biden's administration has said Russia's actions in Ukraine constitute war crimes and Biden on Monday accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of war crimes and called for a trial.

As reported earlier, Irpin, Bucha, Hostomel, and the entire Kyiv region were recently liberated from Russian invaders. Mass killings of civilians by the occupation forces have been recorded in these areas.