Pope Blasts Russian ‘Cruelty,’ Lauds Ukrainian ‘Heroism’
SnopesJul 28, 2022
Day 111 Roundup: Mass Grave Discovered Outside Kyiv; 5 Reported Dead in Ukrainian Shelling
Image copyright: Shutterstock [via The Guardian]
The Facts
On Mon., Ukrainian authorities said they've discovered the bodies of seven civilians in a new mass grave in the village of Myrotske, near Bucha, in the regional outskirts of Kyiv. The victims were found with "gunshot wounds and hands tied behind their backs," according to a statement from Ukraine's prosecutor general's office.
Officials in Ukraine said they've uncovered the bodies of 1,316 people, many in mass graves, since the withdrawal of Russian forces from the region at the end of March. Igor Klimenko, the national police chief, also stated that criminal investigations into the deaths of more than 12k Ukrainians included some found in mass graves. He didn't specify how many were civilians as opposed to military.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The horrors of Bucha shocked the world after the withdrawal of Russian forces. These latest mass graves are further evidence of widespread Russian atrocities and war crimes committed in the course of this brutal invasion.
Establishment-critical narrative
While nothing excuses the horrors of Bucha or other war crimes allegedly committed by Russia, Ukraine also faces credible accusations of breaking the Geneva Conventions in their treatment of Russian prisoners of war, which include allegations of point-blank executions. Both sides must be held fully accountable.