KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — A Kremlin-orchestrated referendum got underway Friday in occupied regions of Ukraine that sought to make them part of Russia, with some officials carrying ballots to apartment blocks accompanied by gun-toting police. In a grim reminder of the brutality of the 7-month-old invasion, meanwhile, U.N. experts and Ukrainian officials pointed to new evidence of Russian war crimes. Kharkiv region officials said a mass burial site in the eastern city of Izium held hundreds of bodies, including at least 30 displaying signs of torture. In online posts, Haidai also alleged that Russian officials threatened to kick down the doors of anyone who didn’t want to vote. With world opinion pushing Moscow deeper into isolation over the war, Russia lashed out against the West.

Source: The Guardian September 23, 2022 18:14 UTC