Ukraine war: Mass grave found in liberated Izyum city – officials

A mass grave has reportedly been found in Izyum, the northeastern city that was recently freed from Russian occupation. 

Regional police head Volodymyr Tymoshenko told the BBC that more than 400 bodies were thought to have been buried there. 

“Russia leaves death everywhere,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said, mentioning other reported mass graves found after Russian troops’ withdrawal.

Ukraine and many of its allies have previously accused Russian troops of war crimes – something Moscow has denied. 

Ukraine has not yet presented public evidence to back up its allegations about the discovery in Izyum on Thursday. 

It’s not clear what happened to the victims but some accounts suggest many have died from bombing and a lack of access to healthcare. 

Exhumations will begin on Friday and following that the world should get a clearer understanding of what has happened and the number of victims in the city.

The city was under Russian occupation for more than five months. 

Ukraine’s president said more “clear, verified information” would be presented on Friday to Ukrainian and foreign journalists.