Izium mass grave of 440: Ukrainians search for dead relatives

Ukraine: After Russian forces were driven out of the town of Izium, residents started searching for dead relatives in a mass grave. Emergency workers have been exhuming hundreds of bodies since last week.

Izium is one of the several towns Russia had invaded in northeastern Kharkiv. In the recent retaking drive, Ukrainian forces re-established control over dozens of these towns.

Some residents think their relatives died in an airstrike. But Ukrainian authorities said at least one of the bodies had tied hands and rope marks on the neck. An official declaration about causes of death has not been made yet, reported Reuters.

In a video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that over 10 torture chambers have been found in the Kharkiv region. He added that investigators have found new evidence of torture in people buried in Izium as well. Police said over 440 bodies were found in the mass grave. "Russia is leaving death behind it everywhere and must be held responsible," said President Zelensky.

Comparing Russians to Nazis, he said torture was a widespread practice in the occupied territories. "That's what the Nazis did. This is what the Russians do. They will answer in the same way - both on the battlefield and in courtrooms."

Moscow has repeatedly denied targeting civilians and has not commented on the discovery of graves. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday said that the invasion was a necessary step to prevent a Western plot to break Russia apart. Speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, he said Moscow will respond more forcefully if its troops are put under more pressure. This has raised concerns about the use of nuclear or chemical weapons.