A mass burial site containing around 440 graves has been found in the Ukrainian city of Izyum after it was liberated from Russian control, a top police officer has told Sky News.

Serhii Bolvinov, the chief police investigator for Kharkiv region, said all the bodies would be exhumed and taken away for forensic examination as part of a major police effort, along with prosecutors and other investigators, to gather evidence of suspected Russian war crimes.

He said the bodies had been individually buried at the makeshift site.

Putin’s forces may have ‘advantages’ after Kharkiv withdrawal – Ukraine war live updates

Police officers were also aware of a number of other burial sites since they started to investigate what crimes had been committed in swathes of the Kharkiv region that had spent months under Russian control but are now back in Ukrainian hands, Mr Bolvinov said.

Speaking about the Izyum site, the chief investigator said: “I can say that there is one of the biggest burials in one liberated city, which contains more than 440 graves. Some 440 bodies were buried in one place.”

Asked if he could say how the victims had died, he responded: “We know that some were killed [shot dead], some died because of artillery fire, so-called mine explosion traumas. Some died because of airstrikes. Also we have information that a lot of bodies have not been not identified yet. So the reasons of death will be established during the investigations.”

Could Ukraine be winning the war against Russia?

Unease among agitated pundits on Russian TV as Ukraine makes big gains

Ukraine war: Liberated but still desperate – Balakliya freed from the Russian yoke, but left with nothing

Mr Bolvinov described how the discovery of the site had impacted him.

“For me, it was especially shocking and horrific and this is a crime against humanity. It shouldn’t be like this in a civilised world in 2022. This is such a horrendous story and unpleasant from any angle. I am confident that the evil will definitely be punished.”

Related posts:

Schoolgirl admits lying about teacher beheaded in France terror attack China warns NATO it will not ‘sit by and do nothing’ if challenges arise Climate protester parachutes on to pitch at Euro 2020 game More wet weather to come in Germany as thunderstorms push east Taliban could begin assault on Afghanistan’s capital within days, US defence official warns Student who moved to UK as a child fears what Taliban could do to his family in Afghanistan Eight killed after Russian firefighting plane crashes in Turkey Haiti prosecutor asks judge to charge prime minister over president’s killing Emmanuel Macron’s vision will shape the future of France and Europe Three critically endangered Sumatran tigers killed after getting caught in traps Fourteen bodies found after plane crashes into mountainside Mother and widower among 10 killed in Canada mass stabbing – with suspects still at large