U.K. PM Accuses Putin, Russia Of 'War Crimes,' Vows To Increase Sanctions, Support For Ukraine

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (file photo)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said his country would increase sanctions on Moscow and bolster military aid to Ukraine following "despicable attacks against civilians" by Russia in Bucha and Irpin near Kyiv.

"I will do everything in my power to starve [Russian President Vladimir] Putin's war machine," Johnson said in a statement on April 3.

"We are stepping up our sanctions and military support, as well as bolstering our humanitarian support package to help those in need on the ground," he said.

Johnson, who has taken a tough line against Moscow following its unprovoked attack on Ukraine, said the deadly attacks near Kyiv were evidence that Russia was committing war crimes in Ukraine.

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Russia Accused Of Atrocities In Kyiv Suburb Of Bucha

"Russia's despicable attacks against innocent civilians in Irpin and Bucha are yet more evidence that Putin and his army are committing war crimes in Ukraine," he said.

Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Iryna Venedyktova said on April 3 that prosecutors investigating possible war crimes by Russia have found 410 bodies in towns near Kyiv and that 140 of them had been examined.

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Russia denied allegations that its forces were involved in the killing of civilians in the town of Bucha near Ukrainian capital amid an international outcry accusing Moscow’s forces of atrocities in the Kyiv area and elsewhere in Ukraine.

Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP