Russia’s Putin decorates army unit accused by Ukraine of ‘war crimes’ in Bucha
- President Vladimir Putin lauded a brigade accused by Ukraine of executing civilians in Bucha
- Russia has called the killing accusations a ‘monstrous forgery’ aimed at denigrating its army
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a special elite designation to an army unit that Ukraine has accused of committing war crimes in the town of Bucha.
The announcement was made on the 54th day of Moscow’s military campaign in Ukraine, with thousands killed and 12 million people fleeing their homes or country in the biggest refugee crisis in Europe since World War II.
Citing “mass heroism and valour” but making no mention of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the decree Putin signed Monday awarded the 64th Motorised Infantry Brigade the honorary title of Guards.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry earlier this month identified the unit as one involved in war crimes during the occupation of Bucha, a town that has drawn international attention for reports of Russian atrocities committed during the war.
More than 350 bodies have so far been collected in the Kyiv suburb, with almost all of them shot, according to the chief of police of the capital region.
As Russian troops withdrew from Bucha on April 1, photos and videos of indiscriminate shelling, mass graves, torture and executions of civilians caused a global outcry. US and European officials have linked new sanctions targeting the Russian economy this month to evidence of war crimes.
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