In a Tuesday address to the United Nations Security Council, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of genocide and urged members to try Russia’s military for war crimes.
In his video appearance, Zelenskyy accused Russian troops of the worst atrocities since World War II, comparing them to terrorists like the Islamic State extremist group, The Associated Press reported. Zelenskyy called for members of Russia’s military, along with those who gave orders to carry out such attacks, to be tried for war crimes.
“So, show all the other potential war criminals in the world how they will be punished if the biggest one is punished,” Zelenskyy urged the Security Council, according to CNN.
The plea came after Zelenskyy toured the Kyiv suburb of Bucha, where civilian bodies were found in the streets, some shot at close range, according to The Associated Press. Over 400 bodies have been found in the areas surrounding Kyiv, Ukrainian officials said.
Russian officials continue to deny reports of violence against civilians. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the images contained “signs of video forgery and various fakes,” The Associated Press reported.
In his address to the Security Council, Zelenskyy refuted the Russian claims of forgery, saying there are satellite images available and urged “full and transparent investigations,” CNN reported.
The U.S., the EU and Group of 7 nations are expected to announce new sanctions against Russia on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. The new sanctions, including an investment freeze, will be in response to the evidence that war crimes have been committed in Ukraine, according to the AP report.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.