Gathering evidence to prosecute Russian forces has become one of the biggest tasks of Ukrainian police since the invasion began on February 24, but international support is helping the effort. “Every day we record the death of many civilians,” Ukraine’s interior minister told Sky News. “These are the crimes they committed and committed [Russia] in the occupied territories”. Russian troops ‘block access to medicine’ – live updates Referring to war crimes uncovered when Russian forces retreated from the towns of Bucha and Hostomel near Kyiv, Denys Monastyrskiy said he was bracing for more horrors as the war continued. “I am convinced that even more crimes await us in Mariupol, Volnovakha and Severodonetsk, those cities that are currently under occupation and will be recaptured later. “We are also investigating those crimes committed by the political establishment of the Russian Federation, directing the troops and allowing them to commit war crimes such as rape, killing children and killing civilians in general. They let their commanders do it.” he added. Image: Ukraine’s Interior Minister Denis Monastirsky Teams of national police, security service officers and prosecutors are collecting evidence from air raid sites and liberated areas. They often work under fire or with the threat of secondary airstrikes. The United States recently donated a mobile DNA collection unit to help investigators process DNA from bodies found at the scene. Experts from France, Lithuania and Slovakia are also in Ukraine providing support – in total more than 40 countries have offered assistance and pledged $20 million to help fund Ukraine’s attorney general’s office. Image: A war crimes prosecutor examines damage in Mykolaiv in July. Photo: Mykolayiv District Prosecutor’s Office/Reuters. “Gradually, statements are coming from those who lost their loved ones, who were lost. Usually there are dozens of statements after each bombing,” said Mr. Monastyrskiy. “War crimes have become one of the biggest burdens on the national police of Ukraine.” Russia is not a member of the International Criminal Court — it withdrew its ICC recognition after annexing Crimea in 2014 — and Ukraine has yet to ratify its membership, so the Netherlands is considering a special international court. Read more: More than 15,000 suspected war crimes reported Satellite images show Russian warplanes destroyed in Crimea airbase attack Russian journalist protesting war in Ukraine live on TV home raided The evidence gathered now will help in possible prosecutions in the coming years. Fighting continues and civilians die daily in eastern and southern Ukraine as Russian shelling targets apartment buildings, schools, shopping malls and train stations. A Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south is expected to begin within days to push Russian forces out of the Kherson region. If successful, it could be a turning point in the war.
