The discovery of mass graves of civilians and entrapments in the liberated Izyum of the Kharkiv region indicates that the Russian atrocities in Bucha were a symbol of Russian actions in the occupied territories, rather than an anomaly, according to a report by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War.
“The discovery of mass graves of civilians and entombments in the newly liberated Izyum confirms ISW’s preliminary estimates that the atrocities in Bucha were not isolated war crimes, but rather an aggregate of Russian atrocities in Russian-occupied territories,” the report, published Saturday, said.
Analysts also note that Russian President Vladimir Putin must have threatened to expand Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilian infrastructure if Ukraine continues to report attacks on military facilities in Russia.
In addition, the Ukrainian Resistance Center warned that Russian forces may launch false-flag attacks in the occupied territories between Sept. 17 and 20.
“On September 16, Ukrainian troops liberated the entire town of Kupyansk, continuing offensive operations east of the Oskol River,” ISW confirmed.
Ukrainian forces have reportedly struck the Russian occupation headquarters in Kherson, allegedly using HIMARS, and are continuing ground maneuvers in three districts of the Kherson region as part of a southern counter-offensive.
The immediate and coordinated Russian information response suggests that Ukrainian guerrillas may not be responsible for the assassination of the so-called “LPR” Prosecutor General and his deputy on September 16.