Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Bucha to Witness Aftermath of ‘Massacre’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accompanied by leaders of Slovakia, Moldova, Slovenia, and Croatia holding candles on their way to a mass grave for victims of the Russian invasion in Bucha yesterday (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accompanied by leaders of Slovakia, Moldova, Slovenia, and Croatia holding candles on their way to a mass grave for victims of the Russian invasion in Bucha yesterday (AFP)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Tours Bucha to Witness Aftermath of ‘Massacre’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accompanied by leaders of Slovakia, Moldova, Slovenia, and Croatia holding candles on their way to a mass grave for victims of the Russian invasion in Bucha yesterday (AFP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accompanied by leaders of Slovakia, Moldova, Slovenia, and Croatia holding candles on their way to a mass grave for victims of the Russian invasion in Bucha yesterday (AFP)

Asharq Al-Awsat has toured the Ukrainian city of Bucha almost a year after Russian forces withdrew from the area.

Since the beginning of the war, the city has witnessed one of its most brutal chapters. As the conflict erupted, Russian forces advanced from the country’s northern border towards the small city located on the banks of a river bearing its name.

Bucha, which sits at a road leading to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, was Moscow's main target when the war began.

In February 2022, the Russian army took control of Bucha and remained stationed there until Moscow announced its withdrawal from the outskirts of Kiev in late March.

As Ukrainian forces entered Bucha and several journalists arrived there, horrifying details began to emerge about what the city had witnessed during the Russian invasion.

Today, the city marks the anniversary of the events that plunged it into a new and more dangerous phase of the conflict.

Asharq Al-Awsat spoke to some of Bucha’s residents who continue to live under the profound shock of the destruction and suffering inflicted upon their small city.

The residents there recall their pain and recount terrifying details and shocking moments that have not faded from their memory.

On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commemorated the victims of what he called “war crimes” in Bucha, which Moscow denies committing.

Speaking before the prime ministers of Croatia, Slovakia, and Slovenia, as well as the president of Moldova, Zelensky said: “We will definitely prevail.”

Russia denies its forces committed any atrocities in Bucha and accuses the Ukrainian intelligence of fabricating a “fake attack.”



27 Inmates are Still at Large Following an Israeli Airstrike during the 12-day War, Iran says

In this photo taken Tuesday, June 24, 2025, rescuers search through the rubble of a damaged section of Evin Prison following an Israeli strike the day before, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Mostafa Roudaki/Mizan News Agency)
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 24, 2025, rescuers search through the rubble of a damaged section of Evin Prison following an Israeli strike the day before, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Mostafa Roudaki/Mizan News Agency)
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27 Inmates are Still at Large Following an Israeli Airstrike during the 12-day War, Iran says

In this photo taken Tuesday, June 24, 2025, rescuers search through the rubble of a damaged section of Evin Prison following an Israeli strike the day before, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Mostafa Roudaki/Mizan News Agency)
In this photo taken Tuesday, June 24, 2025, rescuers search through the rubble of a damaged section of Evin Prison following an Israeli strike the day before, in Tehran, Iran. (AP Photo/Mostafa Roudaki/Mizan News Agency)

Iran said Tuesday 27 inmates were still at large after an Israeli airstrike last month targeted Evin prison in the north of the capital, Tehran, local media reported.

The airstrikes were part of Israel’s 12-day bombardment of Iran that killed about 1,100 people. while 28 were left dead in Israel in Iranian retaliatory strikes, The Associated Press said.

Judiciary’s news website, Mizanonline, quoted spokesman Asghar Jahangir as saying 75 prisoners had escaped following the strike, of which 48 were either recaptured or voluntarily returned. He said authorities will detain the others if they don't hand themselves over.

Jahangir said the escapees were prisoners doing time for minor offenses.

Iranian officials said the Israeli strike killed 71 people, but local media reported earlier in July that 80 were left dead at the time, including prison staff, soldiers, inmates and visiting family members. Authorities also said five inmates died.

It’s unclear why Israel targeted the prison. The Israeli Defense Ministry had said that 50 aircraft dropped 100 munitions on military targets “based on high-quality and accurate intelligence from the Intelligence Branch.”

The New York-based Center for Human Rights had criticized Israel for striking the prison, seen as a symbol of repression of any opposition, saying it violated the principle of distinction between civilian and military targets.