Anniversary of the liberation of Bucha: world leaders remember the victims of Russian torturers

Friday, March 31, marks the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, the town near Kyiv where mass war crimes by the Russian occupiers, including torture and executions, first came to light.

Over the course of the year, prosecutors notified 97 Russian servicemen of suspicion in connection with crimes committed in Bucha, Kyiv region.

«Indictments against 35 have been sent to court. Among them is a colonel general, the commander of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation, who directly led the occupation of Sumy, Chernihiv, and Kyiv regions. Two Russian servicemen were sentenced to 12 years in prison for unlawful imprisonment of civilians and looting,» said Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin.

Kostin noted that over 9,000 war crimes were committed in the Bucha district during the 33 days of occupation.
On the anniversary of the liberation of Bucha, world leaders recall the brutal war crimes of the Russian occupiers and call for all those responsible to be found.

Council of Europe Secretary General Marija Pejčinović-Burić:

«Today marks one year since Russian troops committed heinous crimes against civilians in Bucha and Irpin. These crimes will forever remain in the collective memory of Europe... The perpetrators must be brought to justice. There can be no sustainable peace without ensuring accountability for these and other crimes.»

Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy:

«One year has passed since the discovery of the war crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha. I carry in my memory the horrific images. The EU is helping Ukraine to investigate such crimes and collect evidence. There will be no impunity.»

President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen:

«What happened in Bucha a year ago was not an isolated episode. These cold-blooded executions were part of a larger plan. The Kremlin's plan to destroy Ukrainians. Their national identity. The meaning of their lives.»

President of Moldova Maia Sandu:

«Democratic states must work together to ensure that those who committed these brutal acts are investigated and punished. Crimes must have consequences. Crimes against humanity must have grave consequences. We have to do this for the sake of those who died and who became temporarily displaced.»

German Chancellor  Olof Scholz:

«A year ago, the atrocities in Bucha showed the world what Putin's war is. These pictures were also captured in my memory. These crimes must not go unpunished. That is why we stand together on the side of Ukraine. Russia will not win.»

The project «Ukraine: realities» is implemented by the News agency «Konkurent» together with the Civic Movement «SVIDOMI» and the charity organization Global Empowerment Mission in English for readers from other countries to tell the stories of people who survived the horrors of the Russian occupation.

Проєкт «Ukraine: realities» реалізовується Інформаційним агентством «Конкурент» спільно з Громадянським Рухом «СВІДОМІ» та благодійною організацією Global Empowerment Mission на англійській мові для читачів з інших країн аби розповісти історії людей, які пережили жахи російської окупації.