Volodymyr Zelenskyy blames Russian leadership for 'killings and torture' in Bucha

Ukrainian president vows everyone who committed crimes 'will be found and punished'

In this image from video provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv, Ukraine, late Saturday, April 2, 2022. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)Show less

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday said Russia's leadership was responsible for civilian killings in Bucha, outside Kyiv, where bodies were found lying in the street after the town was retaken by Ukrainian forces.

In a video address, Mr Zelenskyy vowed to investigate and prosecute all Russian "crimes" in Ukraine, saying he had a "special mechanism" to do so.

He spoke as global outrage mounted after the discovery of civilian killings in Bucha, outside Kyiv.

"I want all the leaders of the Russian Federation to see how their orders are being fulfilled," Mr Zelenskyy said, switching from Ukrainian to Russian.

"These kinds of orders. This kind of fulfilment. And there is a common responsibility. For these killings, for this torture, for arms blown off by blasts … for the shots in the back of the head.

"This is how the Russian state will be seen now."

Russia has denied killing civilians in Bucha, which it controlled since the first days of its invasion launched on February 24.

Bodies in the streets were discovered when Ukraine regained control.

Addressing mothers of Russian soldiers, Mr Zelenskyy said: "Why did they do this? Why did they kill them?

"What did the man who was riding a bike do? Why did they torture to death ordinary peaceful people in an ordinary peaceful town?"

"What did the town of Bucha do to your Russia?"

A Ukrainian soldier inspects a burnt Russian tank in Dmytrivka, Kyiv region. Getty Images

Ukrainians who fled to Mexico amid Russia's invasion of their homeland arrive at a shelter near the US border, in Tijuana, Mexico. Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks from Kyiv. AP

A woman hugs a Ukrainian soldier after a convoy of military and aid vehicles arrived in the formerly Russian-occupied Kyiv suburb of Bucha. AP

Shrapnel marks are seen on the statue of a child after shelling that hit the Gorky amusement park, in Kharkiv. Reuters

A Ukrainian soldier walks next to a military vehicle, outside Kyiv. AP

A man distributes toilet paper rolls as people wait for medicine and sanitary supply handouts in the formerly Russian-occupied Kyiv suburb of Bucha, Ukraine. AP

A woman cooks on an open fire outside an apartment building, in Bucha. AP

A Ukrainian soldier check streets for booby traps after Russian troops withdrew from Bucha. AP

Graves of residents who died during the Russian invasion, in front of residential buildings in the areas recaptured by the Ukrainian army, in Kyiv. EPA

Destroyed Russian military vehicles on a street in Kyiv. EPA

A Ukrainian soldier walks by the wreckage of the Antonov An-225 Mriya aircraft , the world's largest cargo airplane and relic of the Soviet space programme, which was destroyed during fighting in Hostomel, Ukraine. AP

Ukrainian soldiers shout patriotic slogans with the Antonov An-225 in the background. AP

Yulia Dyrda, who sustained arm injuries from Russian shelling, recovers at a hospital in Chuhuiv, Ukraine. Getty Images

Residents stand next to a stuck Russian tank, in Nova Basan. Reuters

The mother of Lt Oliynyk Dmytro, 40, mourns his death during his funeral ceremony, after the soldier was killed in action, in Lviv, western Ukraine. AP

Ukrainian refugees rest in the ticket hall at Przemysl Glowny train station, Poland. Reuters

A dog walks past the wreckage of a Russian armored personnel carrier, in Dmytrivka, Kyiv region. Getty Images

Ukrainians ride bicycles past destroyed cars in the town of Bucha, north-west of the capital Kyiv. Reuters

Buildings damaged by shelling in the town of Makariv, in Kyiv region. Reuters

A woman carries her dog during an evacuation in the town of Irpin outside Kyiv. Reuters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gives a video update in which he said the situation in east of the country remained extremely difficult. Reuters

The Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire, England, illuminated in the colours of the Ukrainian flag. Reuters

Russian soldiers destroyed this bridge as they withdrew from a village on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo

A child wrapped in a rescue emergency blanket crosses the border into Medyka, south-eastern Poland. AP Photo

Flowers lay on a Ukrainian armoured vehicle destroyed during fighting between Russian and Ukrainian forces on the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo

Damaged houses and a burnt-out Russian armoured vehicle on the outskirts of Kyiv. AFP

Ukrainian soldier Dasha, 22, checks her phone after a military sweep to search for Russian troops after their withdrawal from villages in the outskirts of Kyiv. AP Photo

Ammunition scattered on the ground next to a Ukrainian armoured car destroyed in fighting outside Kyiv. AP Photo

Mr Zelenskyy said he had created a "special mechanism" to investigate Russian "crimes" in Ukraine, pledging to find and punish "everyone" responsible.

He said the mechanism would include "national and international experts, investigators, prosecutors and judges".

Mr Zelenskyy pledged that "everyone guilty of such crimes will be entered in a special Book of Executioners, and will be found and punished".

He ordered Ukraine's Foreign Ministry, prosecutor's office, police and security chiefs to "ensure that the mechanism is operational immediately".

Mr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian authorities were working to "rebuild" Bucha and other towns near the capital that were retaken from Russia.

"All the necessary services are already working in Bucha to bring the town back to life, restore electricity supply, water supply," he said.

"Because Russia was expelled. And Ukraine is returning and brings life back.

Mr Zelenskyy promised to "win this war".