Justice must be served if Ukraine atrocities verified

The reports and images of purported Russian military atrocities against civilians in the Ukrainian town of Bucha after troops retreated are shocking. Bodies bound and strewn in streets, faces blown away by bullets, others half-naked and burnt, accounts of executions, a mass grave believed to contain the remains of hundreds of people; these are said to be among the worst war crimes since World War II.

Moscow denies its soldiers would carry out such acts of barbarity and called the allegations a “monstrous forgery” staged by the West to discredit it. Verifying events since Russia invaded six weeks ago has been difficult as governments scramble to set the media agenda, but such claims cannot be ignored and a thorough, independent investigation is imperative to prove their veracity.

China’s ambassador to the United Nations, Zhang Jun, said the claims from Bucha were “deeply disturbing” and attacks against civilians during conflicts were “unacceptable and should not occur”. But given the disparate accounts, he also made the salient point that all sides should exercise restraint to avoid making unfounded accusations and cooperate to verify and investigate.

The United States and its allies are not waiting, though; they have been quick to support Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s allegations at the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday that Russian troops had committed war crimes. A fifth round of sanctions has been slated, targeting Russian government officials, financial institutions and state-owned firms, while new bars will be imposed on investments.

Not all in Europe support the penalties, especially those that depend on Russian oil and gas.

Sanctions only exacerbate the crisis. The spillover hurts global markets, affecting energy supplies, agricultural exports and supply chains.

Developing countries inevitably bear the brunt. Better, as Zhang said, is for the US, European Union and Nato to work for peace between Kyiv and Moscow.

The UN has a vital role in ensuring a full investigation of the claimed atrocities in Bucha and elsewhere in Ukraine. If the accusations can be proven, the perpetrators have to be held to account.