Russia-Ukraine War: 403 civilians found dead in Mariupol, says Mayor

de bodies count of civilians killed in northwestern city of Bucha near Irpin has risen to 403, Mayor of Bucha Anatoliy Fedoruk said at a briefing at Ukraine Media Center, Capital Kyiv, Interfax reported. Of those, 163 bodies have been identified, he ded. “We have 403 killed, brutally tortured bodies. competent authorities are carrying out appropriate procedures. Today, opening of second mass grave has begun,” said Mayor Fedoruk. He continued, “Some 163 people have alrey been identified, we know what kind of people y were, where y lived.” 

Mayor of Bucha Fedoruk warned that death toll is feared to rise as Ukrainian police, military, and special services continue to inspect every quarter, every house, and every street.

“y find burial places in private territories, and raise bodies,” he said, implying that de bodies are being recovered across every street. “It remains to clear four more small micro districts. Some 16 people are considered missing, y have not been in contact for a long period of time,” mayor informed.

Fedoruk ded, “Most likely, we will find ir bodies between settlements in forests, because residents of villages of Zdvyzhivka, Babyntsi, Lubianka saw how enemies were taken from city and taken to ir places of deployment in forest area.” 

Journalists walk inside a destroyed warehouse for storing food, after an attack from Russia twelve days ago in Brovary, on outskirts of Kyiv. Credit: Associated Press

Bucha to start restoration of critical infrastructure: Mayor 

Bucha’s mayor also outlined data shared by Commissioner of Verkhovna Ra for Human Rights Liudmyla Denisova on rapes and sexual violence committed against women allegedly by inving troops. re are new reports of rape that have emerged involving 25 women of different ages,” he said, declining to get into details as it was sensitive and disturbing. Fedoruk informed that authorities have started restoration of critical infrastructure within city. This includes power and gas supply restoration, water supply, and sewerage management. In heavy shellings launched by Russian forces, Bucha’s 22 high-rise buildings were completely destroyed, and 243 private houses were reduced to rubble. 

Ukrainian Prosecutor-General Iryna Venediktova, center, looks at exhumed bodies of civilians killed during Russian occupation in Bucha. Credit: Associated Press

" orcs [Russian forces] did not bypass a single house apartments, houses. y robbed, left ir symbols, signs. People will be shocked by ir savagery," Fedoruk said. "We are preparing city for peaceful life and return of citizens," he went on to d. 

Furrmore, mayor of Bucha informed that on April 17 ministration will discuss plan for safe return of evacuees with help of police and volunteers. He n cautioned civilians to be vigilant and not to enter forests yet. " vast territories where Russian artillery stood, where tanks and or weapons were dug in between Bucha, Myrotske, Nemishayev, Vorzel, and in area of Blystavytsia and Zvyzhivka-Babyntsi. And a large number of mines. It is forbidden to enter forests, forest belts, where Russian invers used to be, it is strictly prohibited,” he warned.