Hunt for Russian commanders in charge of Bucha atrocities as colonel named

The suspected commander of Russian operations in Bucha has been named by Ukrainian sources amid demands for accountability over the atrocities by Vladimir Putin’s forces.

Lt Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov leads the 64th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade which occupied the city in Kyiv region where troops are accused of massacring the local population, it is claimed.

Growing evidence points to barbarism in Bucha with local women and children reportedly raped and shot.

Ukrainian activists and web sleuths have allegedly identified the presence of Omurbekov’s forces - which are normally based in the far east of Russia - and a number of other Russian military units.

Volunteers group Tretya Sila reported: “In Bucha there was a military unit 51460 from the village of Knyaze-Volkonskoye, Khabarovsk region...

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“Soon all these murderers, rapists and looters will be known by name.”

InformNapalm volunteers named Omurbekov as unit 51460 of the 64th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade amid suspicions of grotesque war crimes in Bucha.

Also in the town, according to the Ukrainians, were forces from other several Russian units, although so far no other commanders have been named.

Russian sources have claimed Ukrainians were responsible for the atrocities in Bucha and other locations - and are the ones guilty of war crimes.