The town, which had a pre-war population of around 62,000, was one of the main battlegrounds for Russian troops before they withdrew from Ukraine’s northern regions to intensify their offensive in the east.
Since the town was retaken from Russian forces in late March, Ukrainian investigators have examined 269 dead bodies in Irpin, near Kyiv, a police official said on Monday, as workers dug new graves on its outskirts.
The town, which had a pre-war population of around 62,000, was one of the main battlegrounds for Russian troops before they withdrew from Ukraine’s northern regions to intensify their offensive in the east.
Dozens of new graves have been dug and wreaths have been heaped in a cemetery on the outskirts of Irpin. Workers hurriedly shoveled the sandy earth into one grave on Monday, watched by a few tearful mourners.
“As of now, we have inspected 269 dead bodies,” said Serhiy Panteleyev, first deputy head of the police department’s main investigation department, during an online briefing.
He said forensic work to determine the cause of death for many of the victims was ongoing, and he shared photos of severely charred human remains.
He stated that seven sites in Irpin where civilians were allegedly shot have been inspected, but he did not provide any additional information.
Russia denies targeting civilians and denies allegations that its troops committed war crimes in occupied Ukrainian territory.