The arrests followed Saturday's violence in which protesters tried to storm the residences of several lawmakers, including state Chief Minister N Biren Singh
asia1 hour ago
President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia on Friday of torture and war crimes in Ukraine's northeast and likened the aftermath in the recaptured areas to Russia's withdrawal from near Kyiv months ago.
In an interview at his presidential office, he told Reuters that many Ukrainians were buried at sites in the northeast including whole families and people who were tortured.
"As of today, there are 450 dead people, buried. But there are others, separate burials of many people. Tortured people. Entire families in certain territories," he said.
Asked if there was evidence of war crimes, he said: "All this is there. Investigative commissions with international partners, joint investigative commissions," he said.
"There is some evidence, and assessments are being conducted, Ukrainian and international, and this is very important for us, for the world to recognise this," he said.
The Kremlin did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Zelensky's allegations.
Russia regularly denies targeting civilians during what it calls its "special military operation" in Ukraine and has said in the past that accusations of human rights abuses are a smear campaign.
The governor of Kharkiv region, Oleh Synhubov, told reporters on Friday at one of the burial sites in the city of Izium that some bodies exhumed there had been found with their hands tied behind their backs.
Moscow has not commented on the mass burial site in Izium, which was a Russian frontline stronghold before Ukraine's counter-offensive forced its forces to flee.
Zelensky, who visited Izium earlier this week, also reiterated during Friday's interview his appeal for foreign powers to step up weapons supplies to Ukraine, saying the outcome of the war hinged on their swift delivery.
He lauded Ukraine's rapid counter-offensive but said it was too soon to talk of the tide turning in a war now well into its seventh month.
"It's early to talk about an end to this war. I think it’s early," he said.
Speaking in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he had sent his armed forces into Ukraine on February 24 as part of efforts to prevent what he said were Western efforts to "break up" Russia. He signalled that military operations in Ukraine would continue.
The arrests followed Saturday's violence in which protesters tried to storm the residences of several lawmakers, including state Chief Minister N Biren Singh
asia1 hour ago
'In my view it would not be a good idea if there were talks between the American and Russian presidents and the leader of an important European country was not also doing so,' Scholz said
europe1 hour ago
Following the adoption of a points-based system inspired by Canada, 200,000 professional visas will be issued in 2024
europe1 hour ago
Since methane emissions rose faster in the past 5 years than any other period on record, cuts beyond 30% pledge may be needed to meet climate goals
asia1 hour ago
Mohammad Afif was a long-time media advisor to Hezbollah's former secretary general Hassan Nasrallah
mena1 hour ago
Construction on solar parks due to complete by the first quarter of 2027
energy1 hour ago
The quake was recorded at 4.16pm UAE time
asia1 hour ago
They claimed the championship with a thrilling six-run win over Gems Modern Academy, Dubai
sports1 hour ago