Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Thursday, September 15 the discovery of a “mass grave” in the city of Izioum taken back from the Russians as part of the counter-offensive carried out in the Kharkiv region (east). These new findings recall the horror of Boutcha, a martyred city near kyiv where evidence of war crimes by the Russian army had multiplied in the spring. “Ukrainian and international journalists will come to Izium. We want the world to know what is really happening and what the Russian occupation has led to. Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izium…”, whispered Volodymyr Zelensky in his daily video address, though he did not share more details about the number of people buried or the causes of their deaths.
At the same time, as Ukraine continues its advance eastward to regain control of its territory after the February 24 Russian invasion, Europe and the United States have reaffirmed their support for kyiv. “You will have your European friends by your side for as long as it takes. We are friends for life,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The United States followed this momentum by announcing $600 million in military aid to Ukraine.
- Zelensky denounces a mass grave in Izium
The liberation of the city of Izioum, which was home to just under 50,000 inhabitants before the war, could lead to macabre discoveries. Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Thursday the discovery of a “mass grave” before commenting: “Russia is leaving death behind everywhere. (…) The world must really hold Russia responsible for this war. We will do anything for it.” The Ukrainian president promises “clear and verified information” which should be released this Friday to corroborate his accusations. He invited journalists to go there and document the existence of this mass grave.
Without waiting for the expected clarifications, Serguiï Botvinov, a regional police official, spoke on Sky News of “440 bodies” while evoking the causes of death: “We know that some were shot, others died because of artillery fire, mine blast trauma. Some died in airstrikes. We also have reports that many bodies have yet to be identified.”
- US provides another $600 million in military aid to Ukraine
The White House validated, on the night of Thursday to this Friday, September 16, a new component of its military assistance to Ukraine. The amount should this time rise to 600 million dollars. This new boost consists of equipment and services, but also training without the American executive giving more details on the type of armaments provided. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States has already delivered more than $15 billion in military assistance to kyiv.
The American authorities have also announced a new salvo of sanctions targeting around twenty Russian personalities. Bankers, a Nazi paramilitary group and a close friend of Vladimir Putin are concerned. Their assets are frozen and their access to the international market is limited. “The United States will continue to take strong action to hold Russia accountable for its war crimes, atrocities and aggression,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement.
- IAEA calls on Moscow to withdraw from Ukraine’s Zaporizhia plant
The Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine’s Zaporizhia power plant. Russian army forces took possession of the facility in the early days of its invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the Ukrainian and Russian staffs have accused each other of targeting the nuclear power plant, posing serious security risks.
The text, submitted by Poland and Canada, was approved by 26 of the 35 states sitting on the Council, Russia and China voting against, said a diplomat contacted by AFP. Seven countries also abstained: South Africa, Burundi, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Senegal and Vietnam. Three IAEA experts are still on site.
- Von der Leyen calls for Putin to be brought to justice
“Putin must lose this war and answer for his actions, it’s important to me,” Ursula von der Leyen insisted on the daily Bild television channel. The President of the European Commission, traveling to kyiv on Thursday, was offensive: “This is why we support the collection of evidence for proceedings before the International Criminal Court.”
- Ukraine has lost about 15% of its grain storage capacity
According to the estimate shared Thursday by the US analysis body, Conflict Observatory, backed by Washington, about 15% of Ukraine’s grain storage capacity has been lost since the start of the war. Of the approximately 58 million tons in storage capacity in Ukraine, the Russians took control of 6.24 million and 2.25 million were destroyed, the report said. A situation that poses the threat of an imbalance for world food security. Ukraine was, before the war, regularly presented as the pantry on which many countries depend, especially on the African continent.