Ukraine’s Bucha buries bodies of unidentified victims of Russian occupation
Women sit on a bench near graves of people killed by Russian troops, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, at a cemetery in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine August 9, 2022. REUTERS
BUCHA, Ukraine — Ukrainian authorities held a burial ceremony on Tuesday for 15 bodies found in Bucha four months after Russian forces withdrew from the area.
Deputy Mayor Mykhailyna Skoryk told reporters that 14 bodies could not be identified, adding most had gunshot wounds to the head and chest.
An Orthodox priest Andrii Halavin conducts a burial service for fourteen unidentified persons killed by Russian troops, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine August 9, 2022. REUTERS
“All the people who were shot and exhumed from a mass grave have torture marks on them,” she said.
Ukraine and its allies accuse Russian forces of committing atrocities in Bucha, a satellite town of Kyiv, after launching its assault in February. Russia denied the charge.
A cross with a number is seen at a tomb of one of fourteen unidentified persons killed by Russian troops, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine continues, during a burial ceremony at a cemetery in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine August 9, 2022. REUTERS
Skoryk said each grave has a unique marker and if DNA samples allow a victim to be identified, a name plate can be mounted and relatives can rebury their loved ones.
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