Thousands of people fled eastern Ukraine, bracing for an intensified Russian assault, as the country’s political leaders appealed to NATO for more firepower.
The killings of civilians in Bucha, near the Ukrainian capital, are intensifying pressure on the military alliance as its foreign ministers met for a second day, European diplomats weighed a ban on Russian coal, and the United Nations General Assembly will take a vote Thursday on expelling Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service claims to have intercepted radio communications in which Russian soldiers discuss indiscriminate killings in Ukraine. In two separate communications, Russian soldiers described how they question soldiers as well as civilians, and proceed to shoot them, according to an intelligence official familiar with the findings who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity.
The findings, confirmed to The Washington Post by three people briefed on the information, undermine claims by Russia that atrocities — including in Bucha — are being carried out only after its soldiers leave occupied areas. The Washington Post saw beheaded and mutilated corpses in Bucha, bringing the scope of devastation into grim focus.
Here’s what to know
The killings of civilians in Bucha, near the Ukrainian capital, are intensifying pressure on the military alliance as its foreign ministers met for a second day, European diplomats weighed a ban on Russian coal, and the United Nations General Assembly will take a vote Thursday on expelling Russia from the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Germany’s foreign intelligence service claims to have intercepted radio communications in which Russian soldiers discuss indiscriminate killings in Ukraine. In two separate communications, Russian soldiers described how they question soldiers as well as civilians, and proceed to shoot them, according to an intelligence official familiar with the findings who, like others, spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the matter’s sensitivity.
The findings, confirmed to The Washington Post by three people briefed on the information, undermine claims by Russia that atrocities — including in Bucha — are being carried out only after its soldiers leave occupied areas. The Washington Post saw beheaded and mutilated corpses in Bucha, bringing the scope of devastation into grim focus.
Here’s what to know
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned of a looming onslaught in eastern Ukraine, where Russia refocused its troops after withdrawing from Kyiv’s suburbs and the northern Chernihiv region. He urged European countries to impose an embargo on Russian oil.
- The Biden administration announced new sanctions on Russia, including against two of its biggest banks. Here’s why the U.S. is sanctioning Putin’s daughters over his war in Ukraine.
- Ukraine’s foreign minister flew to Brussels to address a meeting of his counterparts from the NATO alliance. He said his agenda was: “weapons, weapons, weapons.”
- The Post has lifted its paywall for readers in Russia and Ukraine. Telegram users can subscribe to our channel for updates.