Washington — The U.S. has "credible data" indicating that Russia is compiling lists of particular Ukrainians "to be killed or despatched to camps following a army occupation," a prime diplomat advised the United Nations in a letter obtained by CBS Information on Monday.
The letter to the United Nations Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet warns that those that might be focused embrace Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists, anti-corruption activists, and non secular and ethnic minorities. Whereas the warning to the U.N. doesn't present particulars in regards to the data obtained by the U.S., it claims "human rights violations and abuses within the aftermath of an additional invasion are being deliberate."
The Washington Put up reported on the letter on Sunday.
"We're deeply involved about Russia's persevering with human rights abuses within the elements of Ukraine it already occupies and have each motive to imagine these issues will multiply following a brand new army offensive," wrote Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the U.S. consultant to the U.N. and different worldwide organizations in Geneva.
The letter continued: "These acts, which in previous Russian operations have included focused killings, kidnappings/pressured disappearances, unjust detentions, and using torture, would seemingly goal those that oppose Russian actions."
Crocker mentioned the U.S. additionally has data that Russian forces "will seemingly use deadly measures to disperse peaceable protests or in any other case counter peaceable workouts of perceived resistance from civilian populations."
The U.N. Workplace for the Excessive Commissioner for Human Rights mentioned it acquired the letter Monday morning and is reviewing it.
"Over the previous few days, the state of affairs on the bottom has begun to deteriorate, with rising human rights dangers," the workplace mentioned. "There was a big enhance in exchanges of fireside throughout the contact line from 17 February, together with using heavy weapons. We name on all events to instantly and absolutely respect the ceasefire. It's essential that each one governments contribute to the de-escalation of tensions by participating in diplomacy and good religion dialogue."
Requested Sunday in regards to the listing of Ukrainians that might be focused by Russia and whether or not she is anxious for her security, Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova advised "Face the Nation" that "all of us are involved about Ukraine and there are such a lot of Ukrainians which might be prepared to withstand and battle."
"No matter crimes they're prepared to commit with a purpose to kill a few of us, it won't cease others and it'll not assist their trigger," she mentioned.
Russia has massed roughly 150,000 troops round Ukraine, escalating issues from the U.S. and western allies that an invasion is imminent. President Biden on Friday advised reporters he's "satisfied" Russian President Vladimir Putin made the choice to invade, with an assault anticipated within the "coming days."
A U.S. official advised CBS Information that intelligence indicated Russian commanders have acquired orders to proceed with an invasion and had been making particular plans for the way they might maneuver of their sectors of the battlefield. The orders, nevertheless, do not imply an invasion of Ukraine is a certainty, as Putin may nonetheless change them if he alters his thoughts, in response to the official.
Amid the heightened tensions and warnings that a Russian assault is probably going, the Biden administration has continued to push Moscow to pursue a diplomatic choice to stop a battle with Ukraine.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is ready to fulfill along with his counterpart, Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov, on Thursday in Europe if Russia would not launch an invasion. Mr. Biden has additionally agreed "in precept" to fulfill with Putin if an invasion hasn't occurred, the White Home mentioned Sunday.
The Kremlin mentioned Monday it is "untimely" to debate concrete plans for a summit between the 2 leaders, however mentioned a gathering is "doable if the heads of state think about it applicable."