Ukraine’s ombudswoman says 400 missing in town of Hostomel

(Reuters) – Ukraine’s human rights ombudswoman mentioned on Wednesday greater than 400 residents had been lacking within the city of Hostomel after a 35-day occupation by Russian forces, and he or she quoted witnesses as saying a few of them had been killed.

Ombudswoman Lyudmyla Denisova didn’t say how many individuals might have been killed in Hostomel, close to the capital Kyiv, and cited no direct proof for her assertion. She didn’t say who the witnesses had been or present every other particulars.

Russian forces seized Hostomel, which is near an airfield, quickly after invading Ukraine on Feb. 24.

“Greater than 400 folks have gone lacking in 35 days of occupation in Hostomel. Witnesses say some had been killed, however their whereabouts are nonetheless unknown,” Denisova mentioned.

She didn’t say how many individuals might have left Hostomel for the reason that begin of the Russian invasion.

Russia didn’t instantly touch upon her remarks. Moscow denies focusing on civilians in Ukraine.

Kyiv is already trying into different stories of alleged atrocities, together with within the city of Bucha, outdoors the capital. Tied our bodies shot at shut vary had been discovered there after Russian troops withdrew, and different our bodies caught out of a mass grave at a church.

The Kremlin has mentioned allegations that Russian forces dedicated conflict crimes by executing civilians together with in Bucha had been a “monstrous forgery” geared toward denigrating the Russian military.

(Reporting by Max Hunder, Modifying by Timothy Heritage and Hugh Lawson)