US claims Russia drawing up Ukraine kill lists following invasion
Russia is compiling lists of Ukrainians “to be killed or sent to camps” following an invasion, according to an alarming letter by the US ambassador to the United Nations’ European Office.
The undated letter from Bathsheba Nell Crocker to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet cites “credible information” that the lists are being drawn up and suggests those targeted would include “Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons.”
The letter was initially obtained by the Washington Post, which published it late Sunday. It does not go into details about what intelligence supports Crocker’s claims.
Crocker cites past Russian human rights abuses in her letter to Bachelet, including “targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture.”
The ambassador also warned that Moscow’s forces would likely use “lethal measures” to crush protests and other non-violent demonstrations by Ukrainians.
Crocker further accused the Kremlin of sanctioning “continuing human rights abuses” in Crimea, which Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014, and tells Bachelet that her letter should serve “as an early warning that a further Russian invasion of Ukraine may create a human rights catastrophe.”
In recent days, US officials led by President Biden have said they believe Russian President Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine, citing intelligence that Russian commanders have received orders to begin planning attacks. However, Western diplomats have publicly held out hope of a peaceful resolution to the standoff.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov shrugged off the allegations in Crocker’s letter.
“Do you realize that this is an absolute canard, a lie? It is absolute fiction. There is no such list. It’s a fake,” Peskov told reporters on Monday.
Russia has assembled as many as 190,000 troops and heavy equipment along its border with Ukraine, and has extended joint military drills with Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north.
Biden on Sunday agreed “in principle” to a potential summit with Putin if an invasion hasn’t happened, but the Russian government on Monday threw cold water on the plan.
“It’s premature to talk about any specific plans for organizing any kind of summits,” Peskov said.
The possible meeting would have followed scheduled Thursday talks between Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov.
At this point, Peskov added, talks should remain at that level.
“If necessary, of course, the Russian and American presidents can decide to hold a telephone call or connect via other methods,” he said. “A meeting is possible if the heads of state consider it appropriate.”
In a statement Sunday evening, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the meeting between the leaders presented a diplomatic opening.
“We are always ready for diplomacy. We are also ready to impose swift and severe consequences should Russia instead choose war,” she said.
