Russia faces growing outrage amid accusations of Bucha ‘atrocities’

Ukraine on Sunday accused Russian forces of carrying out a “massacre” in the town of Bucha, while nations reacted to images of dead bodies there with calls for new sanctions against Moscow.  

Footage and photographs showing dead bodies in Bucha, a town, 37 km northwest of Kyiv’s emerged after Ukraine said on Saturday its forces had reclaimed control of the whole Kyiv region and liberated towns from Russian troops. They prompted outrage in Ukraine and abroad, adding to pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin by increasing the likelihood of further sanctions.  

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the images as “a punch in the gut,” while United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for an independent investigation. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Russia must pay for “war crimes.” while British PM Boris Johnson said his government would step up sanctions against Moscow.  

Meanwhile the European Commission is preparing the next package of sanctions against Russia because the EU needs to increase pressure on Moscow to stop its invasion of Ukraine, Commission Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis said on Monday.  

“Very clearly, as the European Union we must be doing more to stop this war and these atrocities. The Commission is already preparing the next sanctions package” Dombrovskis told reporters. Asked if the package could include a ban buying on Russian oil, Dombrovskis said:  

“As regards the Commission, nothing is off the table.” 
Bucha, Ukraine, April 4 Reuters