UN probes mass graves found in Mariupol, Ukraine after Russian bombing

Ukrainian officials resumed efforts to evacuate more civilians trapped in Mariupol on Friday, as the United Nations’ human rights team reported growing evidence of mass graves in the besieged city.Thousands remained trapped in the southern port city with little food, water or power, and repeated attempts to arrange safe passage out of Mariupol, which is surrounded by Russian forces, have failed.“We have got increasing information on mass graves that are there,” the UN’s Matilda Bogner told journalists by video link from Ukraine, saying some of the evidence came from satellite images.

At least one mass grave appeared to hold 200 bodies.The UN human rights office, which has about 50 staff remaining in Ukraine, has so far counted 1,081 civilian deaths in the war.

But verification difficulties meant that toll included “very few” from Mariupol, Bogner said.“The extent of civilian casualties and the destruction of civilian objects strongly suggests that the principles of distinction, of proportionality, the rule on feasible precautions and the prohibition of indiscriminate attacks have been violated,” she said.

300 Ukrainians killed in Russian airstrike on Mariupol theatre, say officials Bogner’s team is investigating alleged human rights violations, including reports Russian forces had shot and killed civilians in their cars as they were fleeing, the disappearances of Ukrainian officials and journalists, and the forced movement of civilians into Russian-held territory.On Thursday, Mariupol officials claimed about 15,000 civilians had been illegally deported to Russia since the war began on Feb.