West pledges to punish Russia over civilian killings in Bucha

BOCHA, Ukraine, The United States and European countries on Monday vowed to punish Moscow for killing civilians in northern Ukraine, where a mass grave and a nearby shot were found in a town recaptured by Russian forces. Bound bodies were found.

The deaths in Boucha outside Kyiv have prompted the West to impose more sanctions on Moscow, possibly including some billions of dollars in energy sanctions that Europe still imports from Russia.

The findings come against the backdrop of artillery barrages in southern and eastern Ukraine, where Russia says it is now focusing on failing to capture major cities in the center of the country.

This is a war crime and the world will recognize it as genocide,” said Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky during a visit to Bocha.