DISINFO: Russians not involved in Bucha crimes, it is cultural taboo
SUMMARY
The Bucha atrocities were not committed by Russian soldiers. Russian soldiers can save lives, but they cannot do such things. Accusing Russian soldiers of committing such crimes is a centuries-long Western narrative. Atrocities can be committed by German, British or American soldiers, but it is impossible for Russian soldiers. It is an absolute taboo in Russian culture.
RESPONSE
This material may contain graphic/distressful content.
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets, obfuscating atrocities against Ukrainian civilians committed by the Russian armed forces. This claim was made in the context of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The latest report coming from the UN into human rights violations in Ukraine since Russia's 2022 invasion states that evidence points to the 'widespread and systematic' use of torture by Russian forces.
There is vast evidence of Russian troops’ involvement in mass killings, summary extrajudicial executions, torture, rape and other war crimes in Bucha and other small towns around Kyiv. Similar crimes have been registered in other still occupied and already liberated Ukrainian territories (Mariupol and Kharkiv Region, respectively).
In January 2023, Human Rights Watch (HRW) quoted an article by its senior researcher on Ukraine, Yulia Gorbunova, as saying: 'Throughout the war, Russian forces have carried out horrific abuses in Ukraine with unconscionable disregard for civilian life. (…) Accountability is crucial, both to bring justice to victims and survivors and to ensure that there is no impunity for these grave crimes.'
Earlier, HRW reported about 2022 events: 'On March 4, Russian forces in Bucha, about 30 kilometres northwest of Kyiv, rounded up five men and summarily executed one of them. A witness told Human Rights Watch that soldiers forced the five men to kneel on the side of the road, pulled their T-shirts over their heads, and shot one of the men in the back of the head. 'He fell [over],' the witness said, 'and the women [present at the scene] screamed.'
Read similar disinformation cases claiming that Kyiv created a provocation in Bucha with British intelligence, that The West supports lies about the killing of civilians in Bucha, and that Bucha massacre was orchestrated by Ukrainian forces.