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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a mass grave was discovered in the city of Izium in the northern Kahakiv region of Ukraine following Russia’s withdrawal from the area last week.
The discovery alludes to atrocities committed by Russian troops in other areas of Ukraine such as Bucha, a suburb of Kiev, where reports of torture and killings of civilians have triggered international investigations into Russia’s actions.
“A mass burial site was found in Izium,” Zelenskyy said in his Thursday night speech. “The necessary procedural actions have already begun there.”
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Zelenskyy said he expected to get more information on the mass grave site on Friday and said Ukrainian and international journalists would be admitted to the recently secured city.
“We want the world to know what is really happening and what the Russian occupation has brought about,” he continued. “Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izyum.
“Russia leaves death everywhere. And for that she must be held responsible,” he continued. “The world must hold Russia responsible for this war. We will do everything for this.”
The International Criminal Court, several allied nations and Kiev have launched investigations into thousands of alleged atrocities and human rights abuses, including torture of Ukrainian civilians and troops, along with the killings of civilians.
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During a visit to Izium earlier this week for a flag ceremony, Zelenskyy warned that there were already signs of substantial human rights violations in the city, which has been occupied by Russian forces for six months.
Ukraine has made significant military progress since it launched a major counter-offensive earlier this month, recapturing most of Kharkiv from Russian forces.
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Zelenksyy said that more than 400 towns and villages have been liberated from Russian occupation in the past week.
The Ukrainian president said his forces will not stop until all Russian troops have withdrawn from Ukraine, including Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014.