Photo/Illutration Soldiers walk amid destroyed Russian tanks in Bucha, on the outskirts of Kyiv, on April 3. (AP Photo)

The horrifying atrocities perpetrated by the Russian forces in Ukraine during Moscow’s war of aggression must never be left unpunished.

An effective international investigation must be launched to determine the facts about the horrendous acts of violence and to bring the perpetrators responsible to justice.

Numerous dead bodies have been found in areas around Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital, after the recent withdrawal of Russian troops from the region. They are believed to be local residents who have been killed and left behind.

The world has been stunned to see photos and video footage showing these dead Ukrainians.

At least 410 bodies have been discovered in the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, some with their hands tied behind their backs and others with land mines laid nearby, according to Ukranian authorities.

The Russian government has denied Russia’s involvement in these brutalities. But they are the consequences of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in the first place. The Russian forces have attacked hospitals and evacuation centers for local residents.

Some 5,000 people have been killed in the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol since Russian forces laid siege to it, according to local authorities. The atrocities in areas around the capital have been confirmed by international media after the Russian units withdrew from the region.

The images of these savageries alone are enough to support allegations that the Russian forces have treated unarmed Ukrainian civilians in inhumane fashion.

Considering the presumably large numbers of victims of such inhumanity in eastern and southern areas of Ukraine that have been under a brutal siege, the scale of “war crimes” committed as part of the war waged in violation of international law must be enormous.

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, “I am deeply shocked by the images” of dead Ukrainian civilians. He has called for an immediate ceasefire and “an independent investigation” for “effective accountability.”

Already, the International Criminal Court has launched an investigation in response to calls from dozens of the court’s member states for action.

In March, the U.N.’s International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague issued a provisional order demanding that Russia halt its military operations in Ukraine.

Moscow’s self-righteous contempt for all these international calls should be strongly denounced.

While having withdrawn its troops from the capital region, the Russian military has stepped up its attacks in eastern and southern parts of Ukraine. As it has failed to seize Kyiv, Moscow is now apparently trying to expand areas under its control near the border with Russia.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has yet to agree to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While there has been talk about “building trust” and “laying the groundwork for negotiations for a truce” in connection with Russia’s move to pull troops from the capital region, it is now clear that the Kremlin has no intention to halt its invasion any time soon.

Many experts believe Putin has his sights on May 9, which is a day celebrated in Russia to mark its victory over the Nazis more than 70 years ago and the most important holiday in Russia. They say Putin is seeking to rally the public behind him by declaring Russia’s “victory” in the war against Ukraine on that day.

If that is the case, the war will continue for more than a month. It is highly likely that many more innocent civilians will fall victim to war crimes in the coming weeks.

Putin should immediately stop Russia’s barbaric acts against humanity and start talks for a ceasefire. To put pressure on the Russian leader to do so, the international community including Japan has no choice but to impose additional, more effective sanctions against Russia.

--The Asahi Shimbun, April 5

Related News