“We believe this crime needs to be thoroughly investigated,” he said. “We support an objective and impartial investigation into this crime and call for severe punishment for the perpetrators.” Zonneveld’s statement did not consider who might be responsible for the atrocities, but went on to say that “such incidents make this terrible tragedy even more traumatic.” “We all wish for an early end to this fratricidal conflict, which is destroying lives, families and entire cities. And we want those responsible for such crimes to be properly punished,” the statement said. Russian companies remained largely silent about the war in Ukraine. However, the shocking scenes in Bucha that took place last weekend persuaded the metal giant to speak out. The bodies of unarmed civilians were found scattered on the streets, tied up and shot. Russia has denied any involvement in the incident, claiming – without evidence – that the atrocities in Bucha were organized and part of a “planned media campaign”. Witnesses who spoke to CNN told that the massacre in the city started weeks ago, when it was occupied by Russian forces. Zonneveld, a Dutch citizen, said Rusal was calling for an early peaceful resolution to the conflict “in order to preserve invaluable human lives and return us to normalcy”. The metal company operates on five continents and was responsible for 6% of world aluminum production in 2019, according to its website. Its founder, Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska, told the Telegram messaging app last week that the war was “madness” and could have already been resolved through negotiations. Many of Russia’s oligarchs – made up of a select group of extremely wealthy business leaders – have remained silent on Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attack on Ukraine, despite being targeted by Western sanctions. But Deripaska broke the rules shortly after the invasion in late February to call for peace, while billionaire Roman Abramovich, the outgoing owner of the Chelsea Football Club, has attended talks between Russia and Ukraine.
