Putin awards troops accused of grave war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine

Troops in the 64th Russian brigade who are accused of committing war crimes in Bucha, Ukraine, have been awarded by Russian President Vladimir Putin, calling them  “defenders of Russian sovereignty,” CNN has reported.

“With wise and courageous actions during the special operation in Ukraine, the unit personnel became an example of military service, courage, dedication and professionalism,” Putin’s letter reads.

After the Russian occupiers withdrew from the city of Bucha west of Kyiv, the Ukrainian military found the bodies of dozens of civilians who had been killed.

Many of those murdered had their hands tied.

Russia dismisses the allegations, saying that images were fake.