For “Heroism and Bravery”
Putin honors brigade after Bucha massacre
4/18/2022, 7:04 p.m
Ukraine blames the Russian Army’s 64th Motorized Infantry Brigade for the atrocities in the city of Bucha. President Putin now bestows an honorary title on this unit. The soldiers had shown courage and great professionalism.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has bestowed an honorary title on the brigade that accused Ukraine of war crimes and mass killings in the city of Bucha. According to the Kremlin, Putin signed a decree giving the 64th Motorized Infantry Brigade the honorary title of “Guards”. The award is justified by the “heroism and bravery, determination and courage” of the members.
“The skilful and resolute actions of the entire personnel (the brigade) during the military special operation in Ukraine” are “models of execution of military duties, of courage, determination and great professionalism,” Putin said. The brigade defended the “motherland and state interests”. The Kremlin did not provide any information on where members of the brigade are currently located or where they were stationed. No further details were given about their duties.
Ukraine had accused the Russian army and especially the 64th Brigade of having massacred civilians in the city of Bucha near Kyiv. After the Russian troops left, bodies in civilian clothes, some with their hands tied, were found on the streets of Bucha. The intelligence service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense published the names, ranks and passport details of each member of the brigade and announced that they would be put on trial.
According to the Ukrainian police, most of the dead in Bucha had gunshot wounds. Russia denies the allegations. It accuses the Ukrainian authorities and Western media of orchestrating the atrocities and the Ukrainian troops of committing the acts in order to blame Russia.