Ukraine-Russia war: Pope Francis says it is morally right to give arms to Kiev

Volodimir Zelenski on Thursday revealed the discovery of a mass grave in the recently recaptured city of Izjum and compared it to the deaths in the cities of Buča and Mariupol, which have become symbols of Russian atrocities.

A few hours later, the United States announced an additional $600 million in military aid to support Kiev’s two-week counteroffensive aimed at ousting the Russian occupiers.

“We want the world to know what the Russian occupation has caused,” Mr Zelensky said, without giving details on the number of bodies found or the cause of their deaths.

Presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak accused Russia of the killing in a tweet about the mass grave and posted a photo of a wooded area littered with crudely crafted wooden crosses.

“All the bodies will be exhumed and sent for forensic examination,” he said. “Expect more information tomorrow.”