Hundreds of murdered civilians discovered as Russians withdraw from towns near Kyiv (GRAPHIC IMAGES)

 

As towns of Bucha and Irpin were retaken from withdrawing Russian forces, horrific photos and videos began to flow in.

Ruined houses, burned-down cars, and bodies of civilians scattered around the streets.

Dead bodies seen scattered on the ground in Bucha on April 2, 2022, after the Russian forces were forced to leave the city under their control for weeks. Many of the bodies found in Bucha have their hands tied behind their back, pointing at an organized killing. (Mikhailo Shevchenko/ Facebook)

The photos appear to prove that the Russian forces carried out targeted, organized killings of civilians in Bucha, particularly of men: They are often found shot dead, with their hands tied behind their backs.

A dead body lies on the ground in a street in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, on April 2, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

Before the war, Irpin and Bucha were quiet satellite towns of Kyiv, home to 60,000 and 28,000 people, respectively.

During the Russian invasion that started on Feb. 24, the two towns became the site of fierce fighting, as Russians were trying to approach Kyiv from the northwest. Bucha spent weeks under Russian military control, while Irpin was partly controlled by Russians.

A dead body lies on the ground in a street in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, on April 2, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

During this time, there were multiple reports of Russians killing civilians, including reports that adult men were singled out and murdered in Bucha. The photos appear to prove that.

Irpin was retaken from the Russians on March 28, and Bucha on April 1. A day later, the Ukrainian government said that the entire Kyiv Oblast was free of Russian forces.

According to the photographer Mikhail Palinchak, who took the photo on April 2, under the blanket are the bodies of one man and two or three naked women that Russians attempted to burn down at the side of the road 20 kilometers away from Kyiv. (Mikhail Palinchak)

According to the mayor of Bucha Anatoly Fedoruk, just in the first day after Bucha was liberated, local authorities collected 280 bodies and buried them in mass graves.

It’s far from the final death toll in Bucha. On March 12, it was reported that the citizens of Bucha buried 57 bodies in another mass grave, near a local church.

Employees examine a killed animal at the Yasnohorodka Ostrich Farm and Family Ecopark in Yasnohorodka village, some 40 kilometers from Kyiv on March 2, 2022. At least 130 ostriches of 250, as well as other animals, were killed by Russian shelling. (AFP via Getty Images)

Civilians were being murdered in Irpin, too. One photo that circulated earlier showed an improvized grave of a mother and her son, who were shot by Russians as they were trying to flee the city. Neighbors buried them in their apartment building’s courtyard.

Local residents clean up rubble in front of their damaged house in Dmytrivka village, west of Kyiv. (AFP via Getty Images)

Leaving, the Russian military left mines and other explosives in Irpin and Bucha. On April 2 only, the Ukrainian forces found and deactivated 643 explosives in Irpin, according to the State Emergency Service.

A man walks on a street with several dead bodies on the ground in Bucha, northwest of Kyiv, on April 2, 2022. (AFP via Getty Images)

Despite the Russian authorities claiming that their forces are not targeting civilians in Ukraine, there is clear evidence of the opposite. Russian forces have repeatedly attacked densely populated residential areas of Ukraine’s cities with missiles, air bombs, and artillery.

Ruined buildings in Irpin, a satellite town north-west of Kyiv, on April 1, 2022. Ukrainian forces regained control of Irpin on March 28. (Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

In Kyiv Oblast Russian forces have been shooting at evacuating civilians. In Mariupol, which has been under siege since early March with little to no connection to the outside world, several thousands of civilians are estimated to have been killed by shelling and air strikes.

Global outrage over Russian Soldiers’ massacre of civilians in Bucha, Ukraine

 Global outrage is mounting over the discovery of dozens of bodies, some with their hands bound, in towns near the Ukrainian capital after invading Russian troops retreated from the area.

Horrifying scenes of mass graves and murdered civilians in Ukraine over the weekend have drawn international outrage as Western leaders call for more robust action to punish Russia for the alleged war crimes.

Ukrainian National Police took a CNN team to the site of a mass grave in the town of Bucha, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where authorities say up to 300 civilians are buried.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry denies killing civilians and claims images of lifeless bodies strew in the streets are “fake.” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said an independent probe into the killings is “essential.

” At least 1,417 civilians have been killed in Ukraine since the Russian invasion began, the UN said today, warning that the actual death toll is likely much higher of those who died, at least 121 were children.

Ukraine has accused Russia of carrying out the killings in towns near Kyiv, including in Bucha, Irpin and Hostomel, with President Volodymyr Zelensky branding Russian forces as “murderers, torturers and rapists” who were committing “genocide” in his country. Russia, however, has denied the claims.

Its defence ministry accused Ukraine of falsifying the images of corpses in “another production” for Western media.

Western nations have voiced horror at the images, with some calling for more sanctions against Russia and others backing a war crimes inquiry by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Here is a roundup of world reactions:

United Nations

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “deeply shocked” by images of dead civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha.

An independent investigation that “leads to effective accountability” is essential, he said.

United States

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the images coming out of Bucha were “a punch to the gut” and promised to help Ukraine document “war crimes” being committed by the Russian troops.

“There needs to be accountability,” he told CNN. “But I think the most important thing is we can’t become numb to this. We can’t normalize this. This is the reality of what’s going on every single day as long as Russia’s brutality against Ukraine continues.”

NATO

Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary-general of NATO, said the graphic images coming out of Bucha show “a brutality against civilians we haven’t seen in Europe for decades”.

He told CNN’s State of the Union that “it’s absolutely unacceptable that civilians are targeted and killed” and that it was Russian President Vladimir Putin’s responsibility to stop the war.

Stoltenberg said it was “extremely important” that the ICC opens an investigation into potential war crimes in Ukraine and that those responsible are held to account.

European Union

President of the European Council Charles Michel pledged further sanctions on Moscow as he condemned “atrocities” carried out by Russian forces outside Ukraine’s capital Kyiv.

“Shocked by haunting images of atrocities committed by Russian army in Kyiv liberated region #BuchaMassacre,” he wrote on Twitter.

“EU is assisting Ukraine & NGO’s in gathering of necessary evidence for pursuit in international courts.”

The EU’s foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, also expressed shock at the news of “atrocities committed by Russian forces” and said the bloc will assist Ukraine in documenting war crimes.

United Kingdom

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Russia’s alleged attacks on Ukrainian civilians in towns on the outskirts of Kyiv “are yet more evidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his army are committing war crimes in Ukraine”.

Johnson called the attacks in the towns of Irpin and Bucha “despicable” and said he “will do everything in my power to starve Putin’s war machine”.

Johnson added that the UK will step up its sanctions and military support for Ukraine, but did not provide details.

Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised further sanctions on Russia over the “atrocities” in Bucha.

“Putin and his supporters will feel the consequences” of their actions, Scholz said in a statement, adding that Germany will “continue to make weapons available to Ukraine so the country can defend itself against the Russian invasion”.

He also called for international organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to be allowed access to the affected areas to independently document the “atrocities”.

German Defence Minister Christine Lambrecht also called for a “response”, saying “such crimes must not remain unanswered”. She said the EU must discuss the banning of Russian gas.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the “images from Bucha are unbearable” and added that “Putin’s uninhibited violence is extinguishing innocent families and knows no boundaries”.

France

French President Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with Ukrainians, while describing the images coming out of Bucha as “unbearable”.

“The Russian authorities will have to answer for these crimes,” he said in a Twitter post.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also issued a statement saying he firmly condemned the “massive abuses” committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

Poland

Polish President Andrzej Duda called on Western allies to provide more weapons to Ukraine, saying the “pictures from Bucha disprove the belief that we have to seek a compromise at any cost”.

“In fact, the Defenders of Ukraine need three things above all: weapons, weapons and more weapons,” he wrote on Twitter.

Italy

Italy’s Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio told Italy’s Rai 3 channel that the events in Bucha were “unleashing a wave of indignation that will lead to new sanctions”.

He said there “could be a debate on the issue of imports of hydrocarbons from Russia” and that Italy would not veto a fifth package of sanctions.

Canada

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the killings in Bucha “egregious and appalling” and said Russia must be held to account.

“We strongly condemn the murder of civilians in Ukraine, remain committed to holding the Russian regime accountable,” Trudeau wrote on Twitter.

Israel

Israel’s Foreign Minister Yair Lapid condemned the atrocities in Ukraine, describing deliberate harm to civilians as a war crime.

“It is impossible to remain indifferent in the face of the horrific images from the city of Bucha,” he wrote on Twitter

“Intentionally harming a civilian population is a war crime and I strongly condemn it,” he said.

Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida also condemned the attacks on civilians in towns near Kyiv, describing them “as violation of international law”.

Kishida said “Japan will firmly carry out what it should do” while cooperating with the international community in possible further sanctions against Russia.

New Zealand

New Zealand’s Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern described the reports of rape and other atrocities by Russian troops in Ukraine as “reprehensible”.

“Russia must answer to the world for what they’ve done,” she told reporters in the New Zealand capital, Wellington.

She said her cabinet is considering further measures New Zealand could take to support Ukraine and send a strong message to Russia.

“Certainly, what we as an international community are seeing are evidence of war crimes at the hands of Russia,” Ardern said.

“Ultimately it is for the International Criminal Court to make that determination, but the evidence is there and New Zealand is supporting the prosecutors in gathering that evidence and making sure that Russia is held to account,” she added.

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UNITA condemns defamation campaign against Angolan President

 

Cuito - The provincial secretary of UNITA in central Bié province, Geremias Kaunda Abílio, condemned today in Cuito the acts of defamation aimed at tarnishing the image of the President of the Republic, João Lourenço.

He was speaking to the press on the occasion of the 20 years of effective peace in the country, which is marked this Monday.

These campaigns, according to Geremias Kaunda Abílio, do not contribute in any way to the process of consolidation of peace and democracy that the country is currently experiencing.

"I think that behind this there is someone fomenting this unsavoury practice, then to try to accuse party A or B, which sometimes has nothing to do with it", he lamented.

The provincial secretary of UNITA in Bié defended the need to work together, in order to ban these practices, which do not contribute to the strengthening of peace and national reconciliation.

He said that political tolerance constitutes a fundamental element for the consolidation of peace and is the only way for Angolans to live together.

Angolan Water minister points solutions to drought in southern region

 Ondjiva - The Minister of Energy and Water, João Baptista Borges, said in Ondjiva, the construction of storage and water retention infrastructures is the solution to combat the negative effects of drought in the provinces of Cunene, Huíla and Namibe, in the next six years.

Water minister points solutions to drought in southern region Speaking to ANGOP on Monday, the minister stressed that several structuring projects should be implemented in 74 months as part of the government's strategy to combat drought in the southern region of the country.

He was speaking on the occasion of the inauguration of the Cunene River Water Transfer System in Cafu, which will benefit 235,000 families, 250,000 animals and the irrigation of 5,000 hectares of agricultural fields.

João Baptista Borges said that the Cafu canal was a great gift to the people of Cunene and would solve the problem of lack of water for most of the region's population.

He believes it will be an added value for the families that practice subsistence agriculture and by irrigation, as it will allow the production, every year, of food to sustain the local market and export to neighbouring countries.

Angolan Head of State in Ondjiva for central act of 4th April

 Luanda - The President of the Republic, João Lourenço, arrived on Sunday in the city of Ondjiva, Cunene province, where he will lead the commemorations of the Peace and National Reconciliation Day, to be held on Monday.

4 April this year, marks the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Luena Memorandum of Understanding Complementary to the Lusaka Protocol, between the Government and UNITA, which put an end to 27 years of war in the country and made possible the beginning of the process of stabilization and development of Angola.

As part of the commemorations for the Day of Peace and National Reconciliation, the Angolan Head of State will inaugurate the Cunene River Water Transfer System, a project to combat drought in the region.

At a dinner on Saturday, as part of the commemorations of the date, the President said that "considering that only in peace countries develop and it becomes possible to solve the problems of the people, we decided to coincide the inauguration of this important project with April 4, the day of Peace and National Reconciliation. 

He said there are also other projects of this type in the pipeline for the region, which will be executed as we are able to mobilise the necessary financial resources in the coming years. 

The Cunene River Water Transfer System, the first of five structural projects to combat drought in the province, will directly benefit 235,000 families, 250,000 animals and the irrigation of 5,000 hectares of farmland.

The project includes a structure for collecting, pumping and pressurising water and an open-air canal over 160 kilometres long, costing 44.3 billion kwanzas.

The contract to build the canal was decided after a visit by the President of the Republic to the locality of Cacimbas in Ombala Yo Mungo, Ombadja municipality, in May 2019, at the time affected by a severe drought.

For Tuesday, the last day of the visit to Cunene province, the programme indicates that João Lourenço will preside, in Ondjiva, over a mass political act.

Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam won’t seek second term

 Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam announced she would not seek a second term in office after a controversial tenure that has seen many of the territory’s civil freedoms eroded.

As chief executive, Ms Lam oversaw a turbulent period where massive pro-democracy protests led to greater Chinese control in Hong Kong.

Ms Lam, 64, was Beijing’s handpicked choice entering office in 2017.

On Monday, she told reporters Beijing had been receptive to her decision.

She also revealed she had informed China about her desire to not seek a second term a year ago, despite refusing in recent times to answer questions about her political future.

Ms Lam said she was stepping back and prioritising her family.

“There’s only one consideration and that is family… They think it’s time for me to go home,” she said.

Hong Kong’s Chief Secretary John Lee is tipped to be the favoured replacement for Ms Lam.

The city’s leaders are selected by a small committee of 1,500 members who are nearly all pro-Beijing loyalists. They’re due to select the new chief executive next month.

Local media outlets reported that Mr Lee, the second-highest ranking official, was due to present his candidacy for the leadership position this week.

Mr Lee, a former police officer, was also a leading security official during the 2019 protests. He was elevated to the leadership ranks last year, in a sign, analysts said, of Beijing’s intention to focus on security in Hong Kong.

A bureaucrat with decades of experience, Ms Lam was Hong Kong’s first female leader who soon became one of the city’s most divisive leaders. She sparked months of protests in 2019 after proposing a law to allow extraditions to mainland China.

The mass protests led to China imposing a series of policies to “restore security” and tighten control over Hong Kong and its residents.

The most prominent of these was a major national security law that criminalized most forms of political protest and dissent, and reduced the city’s autonomy.

The US imposed sanctions on Ms Lam, and 10 other Hong Kong officials, after the law came into effect.

Ms Lam had promoted the widely-criticized law saying it was not all “doom and gloom”.

“Compared with the national security laws of other countries, it is a rather mild law,” she has said. “Its scope is not as broad as that in other countries and even China.”

However since its passage in 2020, Hong Kong has seen a succession of democracy activists, former lawmakers and media figures arrested and jailed. Many others have fled abroad.

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Hungary’s PM criticizes Zelensky as he wins vote

 Hungary’s nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has won a fourth term by a landslide in the country’s general election, near-complete results show.

His right-wing Fidesz party had 53.1% of votes with 98% counted, preliminary results show.

The opposition alliance led by Peter Marki-Zay was far behind with 35%.

In his victory speech, Mr. Orban criticised Brussels bureaucrats and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, calling them “opponents”.

Mr. Zelensky has repeatedly criticised Mr Orban’s ban on the transfer of arms to Ukraine, with which it shares a border. However, Mr Orban – who has close ties with Moscow – has condemned the Russian invasion, and taken in half a million refugees since the war began in February.

“We never had so many opponents,” he said cited by AFP. “Brussels bureaucrats… the international mainstream media, and the Ukrainian president.”

Mr. Orban added that his “huge victory” could be seen “from the Moon, but certainly from Brussels as well”.

When officially confirmed by Hungary’s electoral commission, the victory will be Fidesz’s fourth successive win since 2010. The National Election Office said Fidesz would have 135 seats, a two-thirds majority, and the opposition alliance would have 56 seats – again, based on preliminary results.

Mr. Orban, 58, has had a fraught relationship with the EU, which considers that Fidesz has undermined Hungary’s democratic institutions.

In his 12 years in power, Mr. Orban has rewritten the constitution, filled the top courts with his appointees, and changed the electoral system to his advantage.

During campaigning, the opposition’s catch-phrase was “Orban or Europe”.

Their candidate Peter Marki-Zay argued that Hungary should join Poland, the UK and others in supplying arms to Ukraine. And if called upon, and only within a Nato framework, should even consider sending troops.The opposition complained that Fidesz had isolated Hungary from the European mainstream, and from consensual democracy, fairness and decency.

You could almost hear the collective thud of EU hearts sinking last night.

A self-styled illiberal democrat, Hungary’s leader has repeatedly clashed with Brussels over rule of law issues such press freedom and migration.

They’ve fallen out over Moscow too. Mr. Orban is famed for his warm relations with Vladimir Putin. He signed up to Western sanctions – but refuses to supply Ukraine with weapons. He’s the only EU leader to openly criticize President Zelensky.

Hungary is becoming increasingly isolated in the EU and Nato – but Mr. Orban knows neither institution is keen to ostracise him. They want a show of Western unity to display to Russia.

His new term in office means he’ll remain an unpredictable thorn in their side.

More than 200 international observers monitored the election in Hungary, along with thousands of volunteers from across the political spectrum.

Turnout hit 68.69%, almost matching the record number of voters in the last national elections in 2018.

Mr Marki-Zay, the conservative opposition leader, conceded defeat late on Sunday evening.

“I will not hide my sadness and my disappointment,” he told supporters, accusing Fidesz of running a campaign of “hate and lies”.

He claimed the opposition had done “everything humanly possible” but that the campaign had been “an unequal fight” as anti-Fidesz politicians got so little showing in state media.

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