Russia Ukraine War April 4th News: The Kremlin on Monday categorically denied Ukraine’s accusations related to the killing of civilians in the town of Bucha and said that these allegations should be treated with doubt. In fresh claims, Ukraine has accused Russia of possible war crimes after finding some bound and shot at close range and some strewn around towns near Kyiv region. According to Reuters report, Bucha’s deputy mayor, Taras Shapravskyi, has stated that out of 300 bodies, 50 were found to be the victims of extra-judicial killings carried out by Russian troops. These bodies were found after Russian forces withdrew from the city late last week. On the other hand, Russia’s Defence Ministry on Sunday stated that all photographs and videos released by Ukraine alleging “crimes” by Russian troops in Bucha were a “provocation” and no resident of Bucha suffered violence by Russian forces. The ministry said that not a single civilian in Bucha faced any violent action by the Russian troops.
The pictures released by the Ukranian authorities showing apparent violence towards civilians sparked widespread condemnation of Russia and leader Vladimir Putin. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the images as “a punch in the gut,” while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation, reported Reuters.
Here are some of the top and latest updates from the war torn region:
– Ukraine says Russian troops preparing a big attack in the east, AFP reports.
– AFP reports that US President Joe Biden says that the US is ‘seeking more sanctions’ against Russia. This comes after US ambassador had said that the United States will seek Russia’s suspension from UN Human Rights Council.
– Britain’s Defence Ministry in an intelligence update posted on social media today said that Russian forces are continuing to consolidate and reorganize as they refocus their offensive into the Donbas region in the east of Ukraine.
– Russia’s Foreign Ministry has claimed that the footage of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha had been “ordered” by the United States as part of a plot to blame Russia, reported Reuters. Ministry’s spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, in an interview said that the masters of provocation were the US and NATO.
– Russia’s chief investigator has ordered an official probe of what he called a Ukrainian “provocation” after Kyiv accused the Russian military of killing civilians in Bucha.
– Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday made a surprise virtual appearance via a video at the Grammy Awards which were being held in Las Vegas. Zelenskiy appealed to viewers to support Ukraine for it fight against Russia and not remain silent.
– Missiles struck near Odesa on Sunday, with Russia saying it had destroyed an oil refinery used by the Ukrainian military, reported Reuters. The Odesa city council said “critical infrastructure facilities” were hit.
– Shelling conitnued throughout night and day, the governor of the eastern Donetsk region said on Sunday. Reuters reported that Russian shelling killed seven people in Kharkiv, according to the regional prosecutor’s office.
– According to an AP report, the Ukrainian military says that it has retaken some towns in the Chernihiv region and that humanitarian aid is being delivered. The mayor had on Sunday said that continuous Russian shelling had destroyed 70% of Chernihiv.
– Ukraine’s prosecutor-general had claimed that the bodies of 410 civilians have been removed from Kyiv-area towns that were recently retaken from Russian troops, reported AP. Iryna Venediktova had said on Facebook that the bodies have undergone examination by prosecutors and other specialists.
– As journalists visit the Kyiv suburbs, more and more proofs of atrocities committed by the Russian forces is coming to light. Shallow graves have been found in Motyzhyn, a BBC report said. The Ukrainian authorities have said that over 400 civilians were mercilessly killed by the Russian troops during the period when the took control of the surround areas near Kyiv.