On March 31, Ukraine marked one year since Russian forces withdrew from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha. After more than a month of occupation, Russian troops left behind the bodies of hundreds of dead civilians. Ukrainian and international officials have called the deaths a war crime.
Ukraine Remembers The Victims Of Bucha, One Year After Liberation
- By RFE/RL
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When Russian forces withdrew from the Kyiv suburb of Bucha after 33 days of occupation, following their failed attempt to seize the nation's capital, they left behind scenes of horror that, a year later, have not been forgotten.
Images of civilian bodies, some with their hands bound behind their backs, were beamed across the world.
Images of civilian bodies, some with their hands bound behind their backs, were beamed across the world.
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Other images, such as Ira Gavriluk holding her cat as she walks past the corpses of her husband and her brother on April 4, stunned viewers.
Kyiv authorities said that more than 1,400 deaths, including 37 children, occurred during the Russian occupation of Bucha.
Kyiv authorities said that more than 1,400 deaths, including 37 children, occurred during the Russian occupation of Bucha.
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A dog sitting near a civilian identified as Volodymyr Brovchenko, who was shot dead while riding his bike in Bucha.
Ukraine and its Western allies accused Russian troops of war crimes after the discoveries, pointing to an abundance of footage and witness accounts. Moscow denies the accusations, claiming the atrocities in Bucha were staged.
Ukraine and its Western allies accused Russian troops of war crimes after the discoveries, pointing to an abundance of footage and witness accounts. Moscow denies the accusations, claiming the atrocities in Bucha were staged.
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People react as they gather close to a mass grave on April 3, 2022.
Kyiv also reported that 175 people were found in various mass graves and torture chambers.
Kyiv also reported that 175 people were found in various mass graves and torture chambers.
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Nearly a year later, community workers have rebuilt the streets, erasing most of the visible signs of death and destruction.
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Daria (left) looks on as her husband Maxim paints a gate to their house while their children play, on March 30, 2023. Dead civilians were strewn along the street in front of their house a year ago.
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Though the streets and many homes have been repaired and cleared of debris, residents say the deep psychological wounds left by the occupation will take generations to overcome.
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A woman walks by billboards in Bucha of Ukrainian soldiers who died defending their country.
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Civilian cars and military vehicle destroyed during the invasion can still be seen near repaired apartment buildings in Bucha before the first anniversary of its liberation.
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The graves of unidentified people, including children killed during the Russian occupation of Bucha, are marked with numbers.
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Family members and soldiers paid tribute to those were killed on the first anniversary of the liberation of Bucha on March 31.
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A member of the Honor Guard is seen as the Ukrainian national flag is hoisted during a ceremony to mark the first anniversary of the liberation of Bucha.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukraine will never forgive the atrocities committed there.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that Ukraine will never forgive the atrocities committed there.
