A Pattern of Atrocities
“Mass graves and burial sites have been discovered as Ukrainian forces retake territory from Russia in a counteroffensive that has caught Moscow by surprise. Earlier this year, hundreds of bodies were found in mass graves in Bucha and Hostomel, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, and also near the southeastern port city of Mariupol. Another mass grave was found more recently in the liberated town of Izium. Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky said some of the bodies found in Izium showed “signs of torture.” A majority of the victims are believed to be civilians. Russia has rejected war crimes allegations as “lies.”
Since the start of its war against Ukraine on February 24, Russia’s forces have indiscriminately targeted civilians; shelled schools, hospitals and apartment blocks; committed sexual violence, not just against women, but also men and children; tortured and executed civilians; and kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children and forcibly deported them to Russia.
William B. Taylor, a former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine who currently serves as vice president for Russia and Europe at USIP, recently visited the scene of alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine. He acknowledges the difficulty of proving genocide. “Atrocities that build up toward genocide lead us to think about intent, and intent is hard to prove,” Taylor said.” From U.S. Institute of Peace