The Kiev suburb gained notoriety on April 3. However, there were already indications of the violence committed by the Russian occupiers there in the first days of the war.
Until a week ago, only locals probably knew Jablunska Street in the Ukrainian city of Bucha. Since last Sunday, everyone who has seen the pictures of dead civilians who have been left lying around has heard of her.
The Russian occupiers have withdrawn. But the horror remains and comes to light with every eyewitness report. Why did this suburb become a target for the Russian attackers in the first place? And what happened before they left? A reconstruction.
The war is in Bucha within 48 hours
While people abroad were still rubbing their eyes in disbelief on the morning of February 24, Russian combat helicopters landed at Hostomel Airport. Paratroopers are to secure the strategically important location not far from Bucha for subsequent troops and pave the way for the advancing ground troops. They have crossed the Belarusian border and are rolling towards Kyiv with their tanks – Butscha is on the way.
The fighting between the armed forces had turned the suburbs into a military zone; only after their liberation did several war correspondents from major media houses move in with the Ukrainian army in order to document the situation on the ground on a large scale.
The Russians are gone and dozens of journalists are reporting on the situation in Bucha.
Photographers document the rescue work. More and more dead are found in the rubble, cellars and forests in and around Butscha. An exact number is not yet available.
The people who survived the occupation and are able to come out of their hiding places are now reporting on their experiences. Recently analyzed satellite imagery, as well as one from the New York Times verified drone footage the shooting of a cyclist at the beginning of March provides additional evidence of the events. Meanwhile, investigators from the International Criminal Court are on the road in Bucha collecting evidence of alleged war crimes.
The Kremlin still denies everything. His troops are changing their plans and are now concentrating on the east and south of the country. Acts of violence like the one in Bucha threaten all areas occupied by Russian forces.
Sources:
areas: UAMap; satellite imagery: Maxar; pictures: Reuters, EPA, AP, Imago; shelling monument: Defense of Ukraine / Twitter; Bouchas Mayor in front of destroyed convoy: UATV English / Twitter; Reports of targeted killings: Human Rights Watch, “New York Times” bbc, NBC: Damage caused by acts of war: MapHub; Video mass grave: Andri Lewkiwski / Facebook; Video dead between Irpin and Bucha: Voice of America News / Twitter.