Ukraine: EU sanctions nine individuals responsible for Bucha massacre

On 16 March, on the fourth anniversary of the Bucha massacre that took place between February and March 2022, the Council of the European Union adopted restrictive measures against nine individuals. According to the Council, they played a major role in the events and are therefore responsible for actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.

The Council notably listed Colonel General Aleksandr Chayko, former Commander of the Eastern Military District and the most senior Russian military officer on the ground in Ukraine at the outset of the full-scale invasion. He was lead commander in Ukraine when Russian troops entered Bucha.

“The new listings also include other high-ranking military officials who have commanded Russian troops in Ukraine in the early days of its aggression, and who have committed atrocities against residents of Bucha and neighbouring areas such as Hostomel, Irpin and Borodianka,” the Council says in a press release. “In their roles, they have led their units at the time hundreds of civilians were murdered, in some cases as result of brutal executions. The troops under their command have also been involved in looting, torture, and forcing civilians to remove the bodies of dead Russian soldiers. One of the listed individuals is also responsible for adopting a child from the Russian-occupied Donetsk Oblast, who was illegally deported to Russia.”

“Their actions constitute crimes against humanity and war crimes,” adds the press release.

The nine individuals are now subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are forbidden from making funds available to them. They are additionally subject to a travel ban, which prevents them from entering or transiting through EU member states.

These restrictive measures currently apply to around 2,600 individuals and entities targeted in response to Russia’s ongoing unjustified and unprovoked military aggression against Ukraine.

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Press release