More than 1 million Ukrainians may have been deported, U.S. envoy says

GENEVA (Reuters) – A U.S. envoy stated that Russia could have forcibly deported between 900,000-1.6 million Ukrainians, citing unnamed sources, and urged a U.N.-mandated fee of inquiry to research.

“We urge the commissioners to proceed to look at the rising proof of Russia’s filtration operations, pressured deportations and disappearances,” U.S. Ambassador Michele Taylor advised the Geneva-based Human Rights Council, referring to a fee of inquiry into Ukraine.

“Quite a few sources point out that Russian authorities have interrogated, detained and/or forcibly deported between 900,000 and 1.6 million Ukrainian residents,” she stated.

Moscow, which invaded Ukraine on Feb. 24, has denied deliberately focusing on civilians.

(This story provides dropped phrase “or” in quote and recasts result in mirror that).

(Reporting by Emma Farge, enhancing by Rachel Extra)