The United States has reported that Russia is compiling a list of Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.
In a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the US said it had received “credible intelligence” that detailed target lists of politicians and other public figures were being distributed to Russian forces, and warned that human rights violations and abuses in the aftermath of a further invasion are being planned.point 431 | 1
The letter reads: “These acts, which in past Russian operations have included targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture, would likely target those who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists, and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons.”
“Specifically, we have credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.point 284 |
We also have credible information that Russian forces will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations,” the letter added.point 201 | 1
The letter was sent from Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the U.S. Representative to the Office of the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, to Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
The letter was sent amid fears of a potential Russian invasion in Ukraine, with President Biden saying Friday that he was “convinced” President Vladimir Putin has made the decision to invade.
Russia has placed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine’s borders in recent weeks, the United States and Western allies have estimated.
On Monday, President Putin confirmed that Russia would officially recognize the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics as independent states, a move which Ukraine and its western allies have said violates international law and paves the way for Russian troops to mount a “full-scale invasion” of Ukraine.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had said that such a move by Russia would be a “gross violation of international law,” warning that the country would face “a swift and firm response” from the United States and NATO allies.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, has denied such lists exist. He said: “This is an absolute hoax, this is a lie.” When pressed on if he is aware of the existence of such a list, Peskov said: “I know that this is absolute fiction, there is no such list, it is fake news.”
CNN reports that US intelligence sources believe Russia plans to target Ukrainian politicians for removal, replacing them with a pro-Russian government.
The UK, US, and EU are all expected to announce limited sanctions targeting Russia later today. Sources familiar with the intelligence said the target lists are part of Russian planning to replace the current administration in Kyiv with a more Russia-friendly government, bolstering a previous disclosure by the British government identifying pro-Moscow figures it said Russia planned to install.
Blinken said on CBS’s “Face the Nation” over the weekend that the US would continue supporting Ukrainians if there is an invasion and a Ukrainian insurgency is left to fight.
President Joe Biden said that “we will, in the event of an invasion, double down on our support for Ukraine, and that means in terms of security assistance, economic assistance, diplomatic assistance, political assistance, humanitarian assistance, you name it,” Blinken said.
Russia has repeatedly said it does not plan to invade Ukraine, but Putin recognized two Ukraine regions as independent and ordered Russian forces into them Monday to act, he claims, is a “peacekeeping” role.
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