Russia urges UN probe into Bucha incident

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has reiterated Russia’s call for the United Nations (UN) to facilitate an investigation into a “provocation” allegedly staged by Ukraine in Bucha.

The incident, which Russia claims was staged by the Ukrainian government, took place on the outskirts of Kyiv in 2022.

“We once again demand that the UN Secretariat stop covering up Ukrainian stagings, particularly this one in Bucha, which aims to discredit our country.

“We strongly urge the UN Secretariat to facilitate a thorough investigation into the tragedy in Bucha and identify those responsible for the Kiev regime’s atrocity,” she said.

Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, has repeatedly asked UN Secretary-General António Guterres to share the list of alleged Bucha victims with Russia, Zakharova stated.

“It is clear that no one has this list because it was all staged.

“This suggests that the organisers of this cynical, horrifying provocation have nothing to present except empty accusations.

“After all, hundreds of world media outlets were involved in this staging, in this provocation,” Zakharova alleged.

In April 2022, Russia’s Defence Ministry claimed that footage from Bucha published by Kyiv was a provocation.

The ministry stated that no local residents suffered violent actions while the town was under Russian control.

According to the ministry, all Russian troops withdrew from Bucha by March 30, 2022.

This left the roads to the north open, while Ukrainian forces shelled the southern outskirts with artillery, tanks, and rocket systems, Russia said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Russia rejects accusations of involvement in the alleged deaths in Bucha.

He urged world leaders not to jump to conclusions without considering Moscow’s arguments.