Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday demanded punishment on Russia for more than 183,000 alleged war crimes documented by Ukraine since Moscow’s 2022 invasion, saying justice was needed to prevent evil from proliferating.

Zelenskyy stated this at a summit of European officials in Bucha, northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where Russian troops have been accused of atrocities including executions, rapes and torture while occupying it.

Although Russia has not given any comment after business hours on Zelenskyy’s remarks, but has previously denied that its soldiers have committed atrocities, stating that the West has ignored Ukraine’s crimes, a charge Kyiv denied.

“More than 183,000 crimes related to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine have been officially documented,” Zelenskyy said on the third anniversary of Russian troops being forced out of Bucha.

The Ukrainian leader further said that the tally documented by Ukraine since the February 2022 full-scale invasion did not include most of the Ukrainian territory Russia currently occupies.

“We need effective international law to guarantee the protection of our people and all European society from such threats.

“Justice must be served to prevent evil from proliferating. Pressure on Russia and sanctions against it are necessary to ensure that the war and abuse do not expand further,” Zelenskyy said.

Russia has committed over 183,000 war crimes in Ukraine – Zelenskyy