World
Updated: August 01, 2022

Russia Invites Red Cross, UN To Probe Ukraine Jail Deaths

By Quadri Adejumo
August 01, 2022
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Russia on Sunday called for an international investigation by U.N. and Red Cross experts following the killing of dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war in the front line town of Olenivka in eastern Donetsk.

The country's Defense Ministry said: "Russia invited experts from the U.N. and Red Cross to probe the deaths in the interests of conducting an objective investigation."

The ministry had published a list of 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war killed and 73 wounded in what it said was a Ukrainian military strike with a U.S.-made High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Ukraine's armed forces denied responsibility, saying Russian artillery had targeted the prison to hide mistreatment there.

The U.N. had said it was prepared to send experts to investigate if it obtained consent from both parties.

The International Committee of the Red Cross also said it was seeking access and had offered to help evacuate the wounded.