Putin awards Russian brigade accused of Bucha war crimes with honorary title 'Guards'

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin on Monday, April 18 houred his military’s 64th motor rifle brigade involved in alleged mass civilian killings in Ukrainian town of Bucha and Irpin with title of “Guards.” In an official statement released Monday, April 18, Russia’s President said: “This is a high hour and recognition of your special merits, mass heroism and cour shown in defending Farland, upholding sovereignty and national interests of Russia.”

Bestowing horary title to brigade that has been accused of war crimes in rthwestern town of Ukraine, Putin said that ‘skilful and resolute actions of unit's personnel during what he describes “special military operation” in Ukraine are an example of performance of military duty, cour, selflessness and high professionalism. 

“I am convinced that you, soldiers and officers - guardsmen, will continue to be faithful to Oath, serve Morland with hor, and reliably ensure safety and peaceful life of our citizens,” said Putin. “I wish command and personnel of 64th Separate Guards Motor Rifle Brigade good health and success.” 

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, second left, and Head of General Staff of Armed Forces of Russia and First Deputy Defense Minister Valery Gerasimov, left, during ir meeting in Moscow, Russia. Credit: Associated Press

Russian leader signed a decree praising brigade for “valour, tenacity and cour.” This comes as Ukrainian Defense Ministry has been unearthing civilian dead bodies from mass graves in rthwestern suburb of Kyiv left by retreating Russian soldiers. Ukraine’s MoD posted a list of names and ranks of all members of Russian brigade who invaded Bucha, and called m “war criminals” that needed to be “brought to justice.”

Body bags piled in trenches, lifeless limbs, scattered bodies

Piles of bodies, some with ir arms bound with a White band that Russian soldiers wear, were found by Ukraine’s Army with many victims shot at close range, some in head by Russia’s forces. High-resolution satellite imry from Maxar Techlogies showed that dead civilians had been lying in streets for weeks. Bucha mayor Anatoly Fedoruk said in a state televised remark that Russian troops committed atrocities on every firth resident who stayed in town under occupation “particularly violent war crimes such as gang rapes and murders of children.” 

Photographs and foot that emerged from Bucha, also witnessed by Republic Media Network's team-leading war cover in Kyiv showed body bags piled in trenches, lifeless limbs and arms protruding from hastily dug graves, and corpses scattered across  streets including one that caught world attention involving an elderly man blown off a bicycle. Kremlin had deflected on carn committed by its troops and had instead labelled killings as “Ukrainian propaganda”.

Workers carry body of people found dead to a cemetery in Bucha, outskirts of Kyiv. Credit: Associated Press

A journalist takes a video of a mass grave in Bucha, on outskirts of Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: Associated Press