UK says alleged attacks on civilians in Ukraine must be investigated as war crimes

A local woman walks along an empty street, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak

Allegations of attacks against civilians during Russia's invasion of Ukraine must be investigated as war crimes, Britain's Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said, adding that the UK would fully support any such move by the International Criminal Court.

"As Russian troops are forced into retreat, we are seeing increasing evidence of appalling acts by the invading forces in towns such as Irpin and Bucha," Truss said in a statement, referring to places near Kyiv.

"Their indiscriminate attacks against innocent civilians during Russia's illegal and unjustified invasion of Ukraine must be investigated as war crimes."

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB A body of a civilian, who according to residents was killed by Russian army soldiers and then buried along with others in one grave, is seen, amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine, in Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 2, 2022. REUTERS/Zohra Bensemra

Russia has previously denied targetting civilians and rejected allegations of war crimes in what it calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; Editing by Frances Kerry)

SENSITIVE MATERIAL. THIS IMAGE MAY OFFEND OR DISTURB A volunteer inspects a body of killed person, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, on a street in the town of Bucha, in Kyiv region, Ukraine April 1, 2022. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak