UN documents 441 killings of civilians in Ukraine by russian occupiers

Based on the Monitoring Mission's results, the UN published a report recording the killings of civilians by russian security forces in the Ukrainian cities and villages of the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions in the period from February 24 to April 6, 2022.

This is discussed in the report of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Rubryka reports.

The report says that the UN has documented the violent deaths of 441 civilians (341 men, 72 women, 20 boys, and eight girls) in the Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions during the first six weeks of russia's invasion.

At the same time, the report's authors noted that the real numbers are probably much higher as work continues to confirm another 198 murders. They happened in these three regions when the russians occupied them.

The report emphasized that the killing of civilians was not confined to specific areas, although some areas were affected more than others.

For example, in the city of Bucha, Kyiv region, which was under the control of russian troops from March 5 to 30, the mission documented the murders of 73 civilians (54 men, 16 women, two boys, and one girl). It also continues work to confirm another 105 alleged murders.

Inspections often preceded arbitrary executions by the russians. For a civilian, a simple text message, an item of camouflage clothing, or military experience could have fatal consequences.

The report examines 100 murders in detail.

According to mission estimates:

• 57 of them were arbitrary executions,
• 30 took place in places of detention,
• Twenty-seven victims were killed on the spot shortly after falling under the control of the occupiers.

Men and teenagers accounted for 88% of victims of arbitrary executions.

In addition, the report notes that although many months have passed since the first murders were reported, much remains to be done to bring those responsible to justice.

At the same time, the UN did not find any data on whether the russian authorities are investigating the executions of Ukrainian civilians.