Over 100 bodies have been found in Ukraine's Sumy region following the withdrawal of Russia's armed forces, a local official has claimed.
"Unfortunately this number is increasing every day, we find bodies with their hands tied, with signs of torture, with bullet wounds to the heads, these are horrible things," regional governor Dmitry Zhivitsky told reporters.
According to him, several civilians are missing or captured by Russian soldiers. In addition, there are many wounded in hospitals, according to Mr. Zivitsky.
The regional governor also said that the authorities' first priority is to restore the functioning of gas, electricity and water distribution networks. According to the official, initial estimates are that the property damage in the region is worth about 327 million dollars (about 300 million euros).
OSCE CoE: Moscow must stop attacking temples and places of worship
Meanwhile, the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), as well as the Council of Europe (CoE), have stressed that Russia must stop attacks on temples and places of worship in Ukraine.
In the joint statement released, the two international organizations also noted that they mourn the victims of the war and deplored the fact that millions of people have been forced to flee their homes due to the Russian military invasion of Ukrainian territory since February 24.
The two organizations, which aim to promote peaceful dialogue, called on "Russia to stop the destruction of temples and places of worship, which, like the discriminatory killings of tens of thousands of civilians, constitute crimes against humanity," according to the text.
"We are horrified by the destruction of temples and places of worship: churches, synagogues and mosques. They are vital for the country's diverse religious communities, even more so in times of crisis," the statement added."
Ukrainian officials estimate that around 60 churches and places of worship have been destroyed or damaged during the war.
Source: iefimerida.gr
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