A mass grave has been found in the city of Izyum, recently recaptured by Ukraine from Russian troops. President Volodimir Zelensky, who visited the eastern city between Kharkov and Luhansk on Wednesday, has reported that. “We want the world to know what caused the Russian occupation,” he said, without giving details on the number of bodies found or the cause of death. The Ukrainian president promises on Friday clear and verified information about the found mass grave.
An Izhum police chief told Sky News that 440 bodies were involved. According to him, these are victims of gunfire, artillery fire, mines and air strikes, but he also said that the cause of death of many is not yet known. The mass grave can be seen in the forest on an unverified image.
In his daily video message on Thursday evening, Zelensky compares the find of the bodies with those in Butsha this spring. Hundreds of bodies were also found in that Kiev suburb after the Russians withdrew, sparking widespread international outrage. “Russia is leaving dead people everywhere and must be held accountable for it,” Zelensky said.
On Wednesday, Zelensky and the international press visited Zelensky and the international press for the first time after recapture by the Ukrainians, Izyum, also known as the second Mariupol because of heavy bombardments. More than 40,000 inhabitants lived in the city before the start of the war.