Ukraine reveals discovery of mass grave in Izyum
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky revealed on Thursday the discovery of a mass grave in the recently recaptured town of Izyum, likening it to deaths seen in the cities of Bucha and Mariupol, which have become symbols of Russian atrocities. Hours later, the United States announced another US$600 million in military aid to support Kyiv's two-week-old counteroffensive aimed at dislodging Russian occupiers. "We want the world to know what the Russian occupation has caused," Zelensky said, without giving details on the number of bodies found or their cause of death. Presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak accused Russia of murder in a tweet about the mass grave, posting a photo of a forested area dotted with crudely made wooden crosses. "All bodies will be exhumed and sent for forensic examination," he said. "Expect more information tomorrow." A regional police official, Sergei Botvinov, told Sky News that a burial site with around 440 graves had been discovered in Izyum, with some of the dead shot and others killed in shelling. "Also we have information that a lot of bodies have not been identified yet. So the reasons of death will be established during the investigations," he added. The grim discovery came as the White House on Thursday announced it had approved a new package of up to US$600 million in additional military aid for Ukraine, including equipment and services, as well as training. Since Russia's military offensive began, the United States has provided more than US$15 billion in military assistance to Kyiv. European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen was in Kyiv on Thursday for discussions with Ukraine's leaders about "getting our economies and people closer". Her trip coincided with a meeting between President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Uzbekistan, where the men hailed their strategic ties. "We will never be able to match the sacrifice that the Ukrainians are making," von der Leyen told reporters during a joint press conference with Zelensky. "But what we can tell you is that you'll have your European friends by your side as long as it takes." (AFP)