Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke about the crimes committed by Russian troops in Bucha in an interview with the British podcast The Diary of a CEO. The conversation with host Steven Bartlett was released on 22 October.

This was posted by Volodymyr Zelensky on his Telegram channel.

The president called the events in Bucha genocide. According to him, real hatred towards the Russian military appeared not at the start of the full-scale war, but when mass graves of tortured adults and children were found after the towns around Kyiv were liberated.

When we liberated Bucha, I said: “Bring all the journalists here. Do not do anything. Bring the journalists. The whole world needs to see this.”

Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident of Ukraine

Zelensky recalled that Russian soldiers in Bucha went “hunting from vehicles”: people ran and they shot. “So how can you listen to Putin after this? How can you forgive after this?” he asked.

In the next excerpt, the president responded to Donald Trump’s call to look for a compromise. In his view, a ceasefire and negotiations are already a big compromise, because it is impossible to force people whose children were tortured to forgive.

I really want there to be justice. I just really want it. I know that many people had their hearts torn out, and there will be no new heart.

Volodymyr ZelenskyPresident of Ukraine

Russian troops occupied Bucha for 33 days, from 27 February to 31 March 2022. During that time, 561 civilians were killed, including 12 children, the Office of the President said.

As a reminder, russia has spent four years inventing new lies about Bucha, and we looked at why they make no sense.

Nota bene

Bucha FM is an independent news site and station for the Bucha district. We cover what matters to the community, and we work for you — and because of you. Joining the people who make this possible is simple: support us with any amount.

Support the station