Zelensky, appeal to the world: Russia should be declared a state that sponsors terrorism

2022-09-17 08:14:07Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Zelensky, appeal to the world: Russia should be declared a state that sponsors
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy again called on the global community on Friday to recognize Russia as a state sponsor of terrorism after the discovery of a mass grave in Izium, northeastern Ukraine.

President Zelensky said that the absence of such a decision would be tantamount to a "betrayal" of all those who died in the territories occupied by Russia.

Zelenskyy announced that hundreds of bodies were found "tortured, shot, killed by shelling" in the mass grave in Izium.

The White House commented on the latest information from Ukraine about the discovery of a mass grave that has been found in an area recently liberated from Russian occupation.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Friday in Washington that “the reports we're seeing generally speak of more than 440 graves that are said to include civilians. It's terrible. It's disgusting. And unfortunately, it is consistent with the kind of brutality with which Russian forces have prosecuted this war against Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. We will continue to actively support efforts to document the war crimes and atrocities Russian forces are committing in Ukraine and to assist national and international efforts to identify and hold Russians accountable."

Meanwhile, at least two new Russian attacks hit the city of Kharkiv on Friday, as Ukrainian forces continue to hold control over territories liberated from Russian forces.

No casualties were reported, but at least 4 people were injured, among them 2 children.

"Initially there was a flare and then there was an explosion. I was just lucky. Maybe someone needs me in this life," said the survivor of these attacks, Oleh Semeniuk, 59 years old.

Semeniuk, who has a sister and other relatives in Russia, said he never expected Russia to attack and kill civilians in Ukraine.

"We did not expect this from the Russians. They seemed to be brothers, but they did all this,” he said before breaking down in tears.

While the fight to recover the occupied territories continues, Semeniuk remains optimistic about the future: "We are iron men and we never give up," he said./Voa/


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