EU’s Kallas: Russia’s war crimes in Ukraine are ‘beyond belief’

The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has declared that there is “overwhelming” evidence proving Russia’s involvement in war crimes in Ukraine, describing them as “heinous” and “beyond belief.”

Speaking in Strasbourg, Kallas emphasized the vast amount of documentation available, including photographs, phone records, and decoded radio call signs, which directly link Russian commanders to the crimes.

“There is no denying it. We know exactly who the perpetrators are,” she stated. “With the technology we have today, impunity for war crimes is impossible—so long as we remain committed to investigating them. And that is what we must do, because the scale of crimes committed in this war is simply beyond belief.”

One of the most egregious violations, Kallas said, is the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children, which she described as “one of the gravest crimes committed and an extreme violation of human rights.”

She further accused Russia of not only waging war against Ukraine’s present but also attempting to erase its future. “By continuing its aggression, Russia is destroying Ukraine’s present while denying the country its future,” Kallas warned.

According to the EU’s top diplomat, Ukrainian authorities have opened approximately 170,000 criminal cases related to war crimes, with European institutions actively supporting these investigations.

“When this war is over—and one day it will be—recovery will not only mean rebuilding the cities of Bucha, Borodyanka, and Bakhmut,” Kallas said. “It will also mean delivering justice and accountability for the atrocities committed by Russia. Only justice will provide every Ukrainian family the peace of mind they need to move on and rebuild their lives.”