President Volodymyr Zelenskiy mentioned Russia was leaving a path of “demise behind in every single place” after a contemporary mass grave was discovered on September 15 in Izyum in Ukraine’s northeastern Kharkiv area that was just lately liberated by Ukrainian forces.

“A mass burial of individuals was present in Izyum, Kharkiv area,” Zelenskiy mentioned in his nightly video handle. “The mandatory procedural actions have already begun there.”

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“Bucha, Mariupol, now, sadly, Izyum,” Zelenskiy mentioned, invoking the names of different Ukrainian cities the place authorities mentioned retreating Russian troops left behind mass civilian graves and proof of struggle crimes.

“Russia is leaving demise behind it in every single place and have to be held accountable,” he mentioned.

Zelenskiy didn’t give particulars on the variety of our bodies discovered however mentioned extra info ought to be accessible on September 16.

However the Ukrainian Protection Ministry mentioned no less than 440 our bodies had been discovered on the web site.

“Mass graves are being found in Izyum after liberation from the (Russians),” the ministry tweeted.

“The present largest burial sights has 440 unmarked graves,” the ministry mentioned.

Hundreds of Russian troops fled Izyum final week after occupying the town and utilizing it as a logistics hub within the Kharkiv area. They left behind massive quantities of ammunition and gear.

Earlier, Oleh Kotenko, the commissioner for lacking individuals beneath particular circumstances, instructed RFE/RL that 20-25 our bodies have been initially discovered within the mass grave. He mentioned it was a mass burial of Ukrainian troopers.

Serhiy Bolvinov, the chief police investigator for Kharkiv area, mentioned, “Some died due to artillery fireplace…. Some died due to air strikes.”

The Ukrainian experiences couldn’t instantly be verified. There was no instant remark from Russia, which denies concentrating on civilians.

Zelenskiy traveled to Izyum on September 14 and took half in a ceremony elevating the Ukrainian flag over the liberated metropolis, one of many largest retaken by Ukrainian troops in a current lightning counteroffensive within the jap a part of the nation.

Elsewhere, Ukrainian forces repelled three Russian assaults north of the town of Donetsk, the Normal Employees of Ukraine’s Armed Forces mentioned in a Fb put up.

Sea-based missiles additionally focused areas of Odesa area however have been destroyed by anti-aircraft models, it mentioned.

Russian forces had launched assaults on a number of settlements on the Kharkiv entrance line, the Ukrainian navy mentioned.

In its each day intelligence bulletin, the British Protection Ministry mentioned on September 16 that after greater than six months of struggle, “the impression of Russia’s manpower problem has change into more and more extreme,” prompting Kremlin-linked Russian personal navy firm Vagner Group to aim recruiting Russian convicts for service in Ukraine “since no less than July.”

The British intelligence bulletin mentioned convicts have been being provided commutation of their sentences in addition to money incentives.

The bulletin mentioned Russian navy academies are shortening coaching programs and bringing cadets commencement dates ahead. “That is nearly actually so cadets will be deployed to help the Ukraine operation,” it mentioned.

On the diplomatic entrance, Zelenskiy met on September 15 with European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen as he appears so as to add political momentum to Ukraine’s current navy positive aspects and press for progress in offering Ukraine with air-defense methods.

Zelenskiy emphasised the necessity for progress in talks with Ukraine’s companions for air-defense methods later in his nightly handle.

“We have already got agreements with sure nations [and] our diplomats are working with others,” he mentioned.

Late on September 15 the White Home has introduced a further $600 million in navy assist for Ukraine as the US strikes to help Kyiv’s counteroffensive.

A White Home memo mentioned U.S. President Joe Biden would use his Presidential Drawdown Authority, which permits him to authorize the switch of weapons from U.S. shares.

The help consists of kit and providers, in addition to coaching, the White Home mentioned in a press release. It didn’t present additional particulars on the kind of weapons.

With reporting by AP and Reuters