This is genocide, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, speaking after images emerged of civilian bodies strewn across the streets of Bucha, northwest of the capital of Kyiv, following the withdrawal of Russian forces from the area.

When asked during an appearance on CBS News’ “Face the Nation” program if Russia is carrying out genocide in Ukraine, Zelensky replied: “Indeed. This is genocide”.

“The elimination of the whole nation, and the people. We are the citizens of Ukraine. We have more than 100 nationalities. This is about the destruction and extermination of all these nationalities”, - he continued.

Ukraine doesn’t want to be “subdued to the policy of the Russian Federation”, Zelensky said, adding that this “is the reason we are being destroyed and exterminated”.

“This is happening in the Europe of the 21st century. So, this is the torture of the whole nation”, - the president stressed to viewers.

The alleged atrocities in Bucha have drawn international outrage, with Western leaders calling for war crimes investigations and fresh sanctions on Russia.