Dmitry Peshkov, in his first interview with Western media, told Sky News’ Mark Austin that Russian troops had suffered “significant” losses, but denied that they had committed war crimes in Bucha. Maintaining the whole situation in Bukha, where the photos show many murdered Ukrainian civilians, was a “well-directed allusion, nothing more.” “We live in a day of forgery and lies,” he said, referring to verified photos and satellite images of dead civilians on the streets of Ukrainian cities. Shock at Putin’s admission – watch live updates “There is no reason to believe Peshkov” Responding to the interview, Sergii Nykyforov, the Ukrainian president’s press secretary, said that the “lies” that had been leaked to Russia over the years “repeatedly appeared to be false”, citing the country’s denial of Salisbury poisonings. and Navalny. “Well, is there any reason to believe Mr. Peshkov now? I very much doubt that.” Mr Peshkov claimed that the Ukrainian army had also committed war crimes, which Mr Nykyforov said would be investigated as well. “Ukraine has very successful experience in investigating the actual war crimes of some of the Ukrainian troops after the initial stage of the war in 2014-2015,” he said. “These crimes have been investigated. These people have been brought to justice and convicted.” Mr Nykyforov went on to describe his fears about the scenes unfolding in the besieged city of Mariupol, which has been under heavy attack since February 24. “It’s scary to imagine what could have happened there,” he added. Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:07 “There is no reason to believe Peshkov” “Living in Alice in Wonderland” MP Tom Tugendhat, chairman of the UK Foreign Affairs Committee, called Mr Peshkov’s allegations a “list of lies” by an “emergency administration” known for its “deception and fraud”. Calling Putin a “warlord of the mafia,” he continued: “The tragedy is that these lies must not be believed. “What they are going to do is convince the Russians that there is no such thing as truth and that everyone is as bad as everyone else. “But the reality is, I’m afraid, as the people of Bukha know very well, and many people in the rest of Ukraine have unfortunately experienced the last four or five weeks, that what Putin is doing is export rape and murder. as a form of foreign policy and it is absolutely shameful. “ Follow the Daily Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker Christopher Steele, the former head of Russia’s MI6 office, has accused Russian leaders of “living in a world of Alice in Wonderland.” “What really worries me is that they live in an almost parallel universe,” he told Sky News. He said the question now is whether Mr Peshkov and his colleagues “really believe what they are saying or whether they do not believe it and are just cynical”. “Because, if they believe it, I think we have a real problem in proceeding with any negotiations,” he said. Picture: Serious damage to apartment buildings in Irpin, on the outskirts of Kiev. Photo: AP Ukrainians fight “Europe war” Roberta Metzola, President of the European Parliament, also criticized Russia for continuing to claim that images of war crimes were false. He said the EU and its members should provide more assistance to Ukraine and be more effective in providing assistance to the country as “Ukrainians are fighting the war in Europe.” David Miliband, chairman of the International Rescue Committee and former foreign minister, told Sky News that the images released in Ukraine were shocking, but not surprising. Analysis: The Kremlin bears the cost of the invasion – but has not shed light on the alleged atrocities Use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 1:10 A cyclist appears to be shot by Russian forces “It would be wrong to say surprise about what is coming from Ukraine, but it should still be shocking,” he said. “He has to maintain the ability to shock to see this level of sadism and persecution that has taken place and I think these images that come out and the documentation behind it speak absolutely deeply about the kind of world we want to live in.”
