The Ukrainian president intensified his criticism of the world community in a midnight video speech, after blaming the UN for failing to prevent a Russian invasion of the country in a speech to the UN Security Council on Tuesday. Ukrainian forces have largely repulsed a Russian offensive in many parts of the country, including around the capital Kyiv after more than a month of fighting. However, the withdrawal of Russian troops revealed a trail of destruction and growing evidence of civilian killings and war crimes in Irpin, Bucha and Borodyanka, areas near the Russian-occupied capital until last week. Russia has denied the allegations. The EU and the US are preparing an additional package of sanctions in Moscow following reports of atrocities. EU member states will discuss a ban on coal imports to the bloc on Wednesday, and Washington plans to ban new investment in Russia and tighten restrictions on financial institutions, state-owned enterprises and government officials. European governments, including Italy and Spain, deported 90 Russian diplomats on Tuesday, following similar moves by Germany, Poland and Slovakia in recent days. It was also revealed that the Czech Republic had sent tanks and infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine to strengthen its defenses as Russia re-focuses its military offensive in the south and east of the country. Zelensky called for Russia’s leaders to be brought to justice and sharply criticized the UN Security Council, of which Russia is a permanent member with the power to veto any decision. “The United Nations Security Council exists and security in the world does not exist,” he said in a video on Tuesday. The president added that the UN was “unable to carry out the functions for which it was created” because Russia was able to block decisions as a permanent member of the Security Council with the possibility of vetoing any action. “I hope people will draw conclusions,” he added. “Otherwise there will be only one institution left in the world that will guarantee the security of the states. That is – weapons “. Zelensky made his comments as more territory was liberated from Russian control and there were indications of further atrocities. During a visit to Irpin and Bucha on Tuesday, some of Kiev’s recently liberated satellite cities, broken tanks and charred armored vehicles witnessed fierce fighting. In Irpin and Bucha, residents unearthed improvised graves of civilians allegedly killed by Russian forces as damaged buildings and bridges revealed the magnitude of the conflict in recent weeks.

“They bombed the locals while evacuating them. People here are talking about the execution of civilians. The Russians even drove tanks over the shotguns. “And we had to remove the remains of these people,” Oleksandr Markushin, the mayor of Irpin, told the Financial Times. “A mine exploded right in front of me and two children, a mother and a volunteer died on the spot,” he said. “The war must end. But it must stop on terms that will be beneficial to Ukraine. “We paid a very high price for this war.” Authorities say Borodyanka, a town west of Irpin, has been leveled. “Today, there are so many unwarranted war crimes,” said Iryna Venediktova, Ukraine’s attorney general. “These are crimes against humanity committed systematically by Russians. “We can work with Irpin, Bucha, Vorzel, but, in reality, the worst situation for the victims is in Borodyanka.” Zelensky also said his government was “preparing” to receive European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and top EU diplomat Josep Borrell in Kyiv “in the near future”. “Cooperation in Kyiv is something that will be praised by many nations of the world. “And not just in Europe.” “Because now Kyiv is the capital of the world democracy, the capital of the struggle for freedom for all on the European continent.”