Fact Check: A Radio Svoboda journalist spoke with Russian army Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, who confirmed that the Russian army was killing civilians in Bucha.

Fact Check: "A Radio Svoboda journalist spoke with Russian army Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, who confirmed that the Russian army was killing civilians in Bucha."

What We Know

The claim that a journalist from Radio Svoboda spoke with Russian army Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, who confirmed the killing of civilians in Bucha, is supported by multiple sources. According to an investigation by Radio Svoboda, the journalist indeed managed to speak with Borzunov, who is associated with the 234th Airborne Assault Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces. This regiment has been implicated in the mass killings of civilians during the occupation of Bucha in March 2022. The investigation details that between March 3 and March 5, Russian soldiers killed at least six civilian men on Zavodska Street, corroborated by data from the Bucha City Council’s Archives Department (source-3).

Additionally, the National Police of Ukraine has identified 12 Russian servicemen involved in these killings, and formal charges have been brought against the commander of the unit for violations of the laws and customs of war, including premeditated murder (source-4). The evidence presented includes previously unseen footage and eyewitness accounts, further substantiating the claims of civilian casualties attributed to Russian military actions in Bucha.

Analysis

The reliability of the sources supporting this claim is relatively high. Radio Svoboda is known for its investigative journalism and has provided substantial evidence, including video footage and eyewitness testimonies, to support its findings. The investigation was conducted by a team of journalists who meticulously gathered data and verified it through various means, including surveillance footage and local archives (source-3).

Moreover, the corroboration from the Bucha City Council and the National Police of Ukraine adds a layer of credibility to the claims made by Radio Svoboda. The identification of specific Russian soldiers involved in the killings, as reported by Espreso TV, further strengthens the assertion that the Russian military was responsible for the civilian deaths in Bucha.

While the Kremlin has consistently denied involvement in these killings, the weight of the evidence presented by independent investigations and local authorities suggests a significant discrepancy between official narratives and on-the-ground realities. The evidence of war crimes, including the systematic targeting of civilians, has been documented extensively by various human rights organizations and media outlets (source-1, source-4).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that a Radio Svoboda journalist spoke with Russian army Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, who confirmed the Russian army's involvement in the killing of civilians in Bucha, is substantiated by credible evidence. The investigation by Radio Svoboda, supported by local authorities and corroborated by multiple sources, provides a compelling account of the events that transpired in Bucha, affirming the claim's validity.

Fact Check: A Radio Svoboda journalist spoke with Russian army Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, who confirmed that the Russian army was killing civilians in Bucha.