Russians killed over 1700 civilians in Bucha district during occupation - Shmyhal
During the occupation of the Bucha district in 2022, the Russian military killed more than 1700 civilians.
This was stated by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal during the Bucha-2025 summit, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.
He emphasized that these crimes are an act of genocide, and the perpetrators should be held criminally and financially liable.
"In Bucha and other communities of the region, we (after the de-occupation - ed.) managed to uncover terrible crimes, but in the first days we were faced with a terrible picture. Here, the Russians committed an act of genocide unprecedented in Europe in the twenty-first century. Cars with people were shot, bodies of civilians were found on the streets of towns and villages, children and women were killed, and civilians were abducted on a massive scale. In Bucha district alone, the enemy killed more than 1700 people during the short occupation. Throughout Kyiv region, the number of victims is many times higher," the Prime Minister emphasized.
Shmyhal emphasized that the crimes of the Russians have been documented, and Ukraine will seek punishment for the perpetrators and financial responsibility of Russia through the confiscation of frozen assets to rebuild the destroyed territories. The World Bank estimates that this will require $524 billion.
Acting Prosecutor General Oleksii Khomenko added that during the 30 days of occupation, the Russian military killed 1,800 civilians, including 43 children. He also said that more than 9,000 war crimes were committed in the Bucha district, and 3,800 buildings were destroyed. As a result of the investigations, more than 170 Russian servicemen have been notified of suspicion, and 21 war criminals have already been convicted.
Khomenko emphasized that the "Bucha massacre" was a planned action encouraged by the Russian leadership. Ukraine is working with international partners, including the International Criminal Court, which has already issued arrest warrants for six representatives of the Russian military and political leadership.
"And the Russian Federation must be punished for the act of aggression, as it is the most serious international war crime that led to tens of thousands of other war crimes. Real justice is possible only through the establishment of the Special Tribunal," Khomenko said.
