Zelensky Appeals, "Russia Created Torture Chambers in Southern Ukraine... Kidnapping Anyone Spotted"

Volodymyr Zelensky, President of Ukraine, announced on the 3rd (local time) through a video speech in the capital Kyiv that he has approved the establishment of a special judicial body to investigate war crimes committed by Russian forces. /Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky appealed to the world for a response, stating that "Russian forces are committing torture and abductions in southern Ukraine."

On the 17th (local time), President Zelensky said in a national address, "Torture chambers are being established in southern Ukraine," adding, "They (Russian forces) are abducting local government representatives and prominent figures in the community indiscriminately."

He also stated, "Humanitarian aid to the southern region has been looted (by Russian forces), causing famine," and added, "In the occupied areas of Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, Russians are creating separatist states and introducing the Russian currency, the ruble."

President Zelensky reported that 18 people have died and 106 have been injured over the past four days due to Russian shelling of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, calling it "deliberate terrorism. Shelling of residential areas and civilians." He further predicted that a Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine would begin soon.

Additionally, Zelensky reiterated calls for strengthened sanctions against Russia, including the entire Russian banking sector and the oil industry.

He said, "Everyone in Europe and the United States has already seen Russia openly using energy to destabilize Western society. This shows that the West must prepare new and stronger sanctions more quickly."

Meanwhile, according to the Associated Press on the same day (17th), at least six civilians were killed in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv due to Russian missile attacks.

Andriy Sadovyi, mayor of Lviv, reported that there were five missile attacks by Russian forces. Mayor Sadovyi stated, "At least six people were killed and 11 injured," adding, "Among the injured was one child."

Until now, Lviv, located in western Ukraine, had been relatively safe from Russian attacks, but following the sinking of the Black Sea flagship Moskva, Russia appears to have launched retaliatory attacks against Ukraine, including targeting the western region.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.