Europe 1 with AFP 06:30, November 22, 2022

Ukraine's public prosecutor's office announced on Monday that it had found four "torture sites" used by the Russians in Kherson (south) before their forced retreat from the region ten days ago, kyiv accusing Moscow of war crimes.

For its part, Washington accuses Russia of engaging in "systemic war crimes" wherever it has deployed troops in Ukraine. 

Ukraine's public prosecutor's office announced on Monday that it had found four "torture sites" used by the Russians in Kherson (south) before their forced retreat from the region ten days ago, kyiv accusing Moscow of war crimes.

In addition, following the shootings, of undetermined origin, which fell on Sunday inside the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, French Presidents Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky insisted on Monday, during a telephone call, on " the absolute necessity of preserving the safety and security" of the site.

According to the French presidency, Mr. Macron "said his deep concern" about the "new shots against the power plant" in Ukraine, which Moscow and kyiv mutually accuse each other of having bombed.

He had already discussed it on Sunday with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, who had denounced the "absolutely deliberate, targeted" strikes.

In kyiv, the regional director of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Europe, Hans Kluge, has also warned that winter will threaten the lives of millions of Ukrainians, after the series of devastating Russian strikes on the country's energy infrastructure.

"This winter will endanger the lives of millions of people in Ukraine," Kluge said.

"To put it simply, this winter will be about survival."

Washington denounces "systemic war crimes" 

Russia has engaged in "systemic war crimes" wherever it has deployed troops in Ukraine, a senior US official charged on Monday, saying she was confident Russian officials would eventually be brought to justice.

"We have mounting evidence that this aggression (the Russian invasion, editor's note) was accompanied by systemic war crimes committed in all regions where Russian forces were deployed," Beth told reporters. Van Schaack, diplomat in charge of international criminal justice at the State Department, citing summary executions, cases of torture or inhuman treatment or even the forced displacement of people and children.

“When you see such systemic acts, including the establishment of a vast network of forced displacements, it is very difficult to imagine that these crimes could have been committed without the responsibility being placed at the top of the chain. of command", namely Russian President Vladimir Putin, she said.

The diplomat's remarks come shortly after the Ukrainian prosecutor's office announced on Monday that it had found four "torture sites" used by the Russians in Kherson (south) before their forced retreat from the region ten days ago.

The official, who spoke of a "new Nuremberg", in reference to the trials of Nazi leaders after the Second World War, said she was confident that the investigations currently being carried out, within the International Criminal Court (ICC) by example, can result in timely indictments.

Macron discusses with Zelensky "the absolute necessity" of securing the Zaporijjia power plant

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Monday, during a telephone interview, "the absolute need to preserve the security and safety" of the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, again bombed this weekend.

"I was with President Zelensky for an urgent appeal," said the French head of state during a speech in Paris at the international conference in support of Moldova, a collateral victim of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He explained this call by "the context which continues to be very difficult", with "the bombardments which Ukraine has still suffered, the threats which weigh on the Zaporijjia power plant".

According to the presidency, he "said his deep concern" about the "new shots against the plant" in Ukraine, which Moscow and kyiv mutually accuse each other of having bombed.

He had already discussed it on Sunday with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.

Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky "recalled that it was the illegal occupation of the plant by Russia which was at the root of the current situation" and "agreed on the importance of continuing efforts with the IAEA to reach an agreement that ensures the absence of military forces, regular or mercenary, and of light or heavy weapons in the protection zone", reported the Elysée.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Monday, during a telephone interview, "the absolute need to preserve the security and safety" of the Zaporijjia nuclear power plant, again bombed this weekend.

"I was with President Zelensky for an urgent appeal," said the French head of state during a speech in Paris at the international conference in support of Moldova, a collateral victim of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

He explained this call by "the context which continues to be very difficult", with "the bombardments which Ukraine has still suffered, the threats which weigh on the Zaporijjia power plant".

According to the presidency, he "said his deep concern" about the "new shots against the plant" in Ukraine, which Moscow and kyiv mutually accuse each other of having bombed.

He had already discussed it on Sunday with the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi.

Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky "recalled that it was the illegal occupation of the plant by Russia which was at the root of the current situation" and "agreed on the importance of continuing efforts with the IAEA to reach an agreement that ensures the absence of military forces, regular or mercenary, and of light or heavy weapons in the protection zone", reported the Elysée.