TI Ukraine calls on the European Union to implement severe sanctions, as russia crossed another red line.
The whole world saw clear evidence of civilians having been shot and tortured. Their bodies were left on the streets and curbs. Many men had their hands tied behind their back, some had their legs tied as well. There have been identified cases of russians mining the bodies of the deceased civilians.
The bodies of the head of Motyzhyn village Olha Sukhenko and her son were found in a collective grave, the body of her husband — in a sewer pipe. All three were subjected to torture. In total, approximately 280 dead bodies have been discovered in collective graves. 20 km from Kyiv, naked bodies of women were found on the highway. The russian military tried to burn them on the curb. Whole families were shot dead and burnt; russian soldiers ran over dead people with tanks. Journalists report massive cases of rape, even of children under the age of 10. 410 bodies of civilians from towns around Kyiv were brought to the capital for forensic purposes. Many murdered are still buried in the yards and streets.
These are just a few examples of war crimes committed by the russian military in Bucha, Irpin, Vorzel as well as in their surroundings. What happened in these towns is unimaginable and must never ever happen again.
As a reaction to revealed atrocities many top politicians condemned the war crimes and promised to impose tougher economic sanctions against russia. Among them are the President of the European Council Charles Michel, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, head of EU diplomacy Josep Borrell, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, and many others.
With regard to the planned adoption of the fifth package of the EU sanctions against russia, TI Ukraine calls on the top EU politicians and leaders of individual EU member states to introduce the most severe sanctions to stop the brutal war that russia is carrying out in violation of all rules and laws of the war. In particular, we demand to:
- Cut all russian banks from SWIFT without any exception.
- Introduce a full-scale embargo on russian oil, gas and coal exports and other russian goods.
- Impose a ban on the entry of all russian ships, including merchants, to the European ports.
- Provide both offensive and defensive military equipment to support the Ukrainian Forces, especially long-range artillery and rocket launchers, anti-ship missiles, tanks, aircraft, anti-aircraft and anti-missile defense systems.
To prevent further atrocious war crimes and stop russian aggression in Ukraine, the EU countries must only act firmly and united! There is no time to wait.
