A delegation of Republicans to Ukraine observed evidence that Russian soldiers are committing atrocities, including summary executions, torture, and rape, according to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee and is leading the delegation. McCaul stated that Russian troops are committing these crimes on a large scale and attempting to hide the evidence by burning the bodies of those mistreated. He declared that Vladimir Putin and his regime will be held accountable for the crimes.
The United States has declared that Russia is engaged in crimes against humanity in Ukraine since March of last year, and Vice President Kamala Harris confirmed this position earlier this month.
McCaul’s remarks coincided with President Joe Biden’s visit to Kyiv, where he is set to deliver a speech in Poland on the war and the international order’s commitment to Ukraine. The Congressman’s statements were likely in reference to the massacre in Bucha, where Russian soldiers killed more than 400 people, including civilians and children, in 2022. Consequently, Moscow was suspended from the UN Human Rights Council for its actions in Bucha and other areas.
Currently, Russia is gathering troops and supplies for a spring offensive into Ukraine and is seeking to annex Moldova and Belarus into Russia. In response, McCaul said that the US and its NATO allies are committed to defending Ukraine. He also noted that the delegation visited a location where weapons are brought into Ukraine from the international community and discussed with Zelenskyy what arms Ukraine will need in the coming months, such as long-range artillery and air to surface systems like the F-16. McCaul said that Zelenskyy provided the delegation with a list of the weapons Ukraine needs to win.