DISINFO: Allegations of Russian war crimes in Ukraine are not supported by facts
SUMMARY
Accusations against Russia of committing war crimes are unfounded. The West cannot support them with facts. Russia wants an honest procedure and discussions based on facts, while it has received none. On the contrary, there is plenty of evidence on the Internet of war crimes committed by Ukrainian troops.
RESPONSE
The material used for this disproof may contain graphic and distressing content.
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets denying any Russian war crimes and accusing Ukrainian troops of involvement in them. This claim was made in the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine with the aim of deflecting Russia's responsibly.
There is enough evidence of Russia’s involvement in numerous war crimes in Ukraine. Russian atrocities in Bucha and adjacent towns and villages in Kyiv Oblast were documented after these areas were liberated from Russian troops in early April 2022. Dozens of civilians were found in a mass grave there, as well as killings, rape and other crimes against civilians were registered in in those areas. Local residents told reporters about life under Russian occupation. Hundreds of dead bodies were found in Kharkiv Oblast, some with hands tied, which indicate the killing of prisoners. Bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were found among civilians.
Russian troops heavily shell and bomb residential areas, schools, kindergartens, hospitals, orphanages, churches and other civilian objects. Russian missiles struck several civilian objects in Vinnytsia on 14 July 2022, killing and wounding dozens of civilians. Russian forces hit a hotel, a shopping mall and several other civilian objects in Mykolaiv on 14 July 2022 as well. A residential area was pounded in Kryvyi Rih on 9 July 2022. Russian forces also targeted a shopping mall in Kremenchuk on 28 June 2022. They also plant mines in cities and use cluster and vacuum bombs.
On 17 March 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Putin and Commissioner for Children’s Rights in the Office of the Russian President Maria Lvova-Belova. The court alleges that they are responsible for war crimes including the unlawful deportation of children from Ukraine to Russia.
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Bucha provocation aimed at accusing Russia of war crimes; no civilians suffered from Russian troops, that War crimes accusations are Ukrainian propaganda against Russia, and that SBU digs corpses up to stage provocations and accuse Russia of imaginary war crimes.