The discovery of the mass burial site was announced by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, Polish state news agency PAP reported.
'Russia must be held acccountable'
It comes in the wake of Ukraine’s lightning counter-offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region that saw its troops liberate vast swathes of land.
In his nightly address on Thursday, Zelensky said: “A mass burial site was found in Izyum, Kharkiv region. The necessary procedural actions have already begun there,” as cited by the Ukrinform news agency.
He added: “There should be more information - clear, verified information - tomorrow. Tomorrow there will be Ukrainian and international journalists in Izyum. We want the world to know what is really happening and what the Russian occupation has led to.”
The Ukrainian president went on to say: “Bucha, Mariupol, now, unfortunately, Izyum... Russia leaves death everywhere. And it must be held accountable for that.”
'A murderer country'
Meanwhile, Andriy Yermak, the head of President Zelensky's office, posted a photo of the alleged mass burial site on Twitter, adding that more information was expected on Friday.
Yermak stressed: “Russia is a murderer country. A state sponsor of terrorism.”
450 graves
On Friday, the Ukrainian president’s adviser Mykhailo Podolyak announced that there were 450 graves at the mass burial site near Izyum.
Podolyak tweeted: “450 graves... Only one of the mass graves discovered near Izyum. For months a rampant terror, violence, torture and mass murders were in the occupied territories.”
The official added: “Anyone else wants to "freeze the war" instead of sending tanks? We have no right to leave people alone with the Evil.”
Friday is day 205 of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
(pm)
Source: PAP, ukrinform.net, bbc.com