In a significant press conference in Berlin on 25 February 2025, the Russian Nobel Prize-winning human rights organisation Memorial shared findings from its inaugural monitoring mission to Ukraine, initiated amidst the ongoing full-scale war. Led by co-chairman Oleg Orlov, the delegation ventured through Kyiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, and Kherson in January, not only to uncover recent war crimes but also to connect with the grieving relatives of casualties and former detainees.
Orlov illuminated the importance of their mission, explaining how it involved documenting new atrocities while also revisiting areas previously examined by human rights advocates. A poignant visit to Bucha allowed the team to observe the ongoing investigation methods and the establishment of databases chronicling war crimes. The patterns of abuse revealed echoed historical atrocities committed by Russian forces in Chechnya and Syria.
Ukrainian residents recounted harrowing experiences, conveying how Russian troops executed a terrifying ‘screening’ process, raiding homes with lists of names. Those targeted frequently faced detention, torture, or were shot, while others were simply released. Yevhen Zakharov from the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group emphasised the critical gaps in information about these screenings and the fate of many victims, leaving essential questions unanswered amid the chaos of war.
Natalia Morozova of Memorial underscored their mission’s urgency to identify the perpetrators of these heinous acts, revealing an unsettling reality where aggressors often concealed their identities during torture, donning balaclavas or blindfolding victims. Morozova stressed, as peace talks loom, that accountability for war crimes is essential, warning that “Peace with impunity will not last. It only encourages more crime.”
Memorial, the Russian Nobel Prize-winning human rights organisation, recently completed its first monitoring mission to Ukraine, revealing ongoing war crimes by Russian forces. In their influential press conference, representatives shared findings from their visits to various regions, detailing the scary ‘screening’ process faced by civilians and the importance of identifying perpetrators. They asserted that accountability is crucial to achieving lasting peace.
The Memorial human rights group has undertaken a crucial mission in Ukraine, revealing the chilling practices of the Russian military while advocating for accountability. They highlight the urgent need to document war crimes, affirming that without addressing these issues, true peace cannot be achieved. As they uncover the grim realities faced by victims, the echoes of past atrocities remind us of the consequences of unpunished crimes.
Original Source: novayagazeta.eu
