Russian brigade accused of Bucha atrocities will be sent back to war, Ukrainian intelligence says
A brigade of the Russian Ground Forces accused of committing war crimes in the Ukrainian city of Bucha will be sent back to war, according to the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
"The Russian command will not rotate the personnel in this unit and will throw it back to the front," the directorate said in a statement Tuesday.
As of Monday, Russia's 64th Motor Rifle Brigade was withdrawn from Ukraine to Belarus, according to Ukrainian intelligence. By Wednesday, the personnel will be transported to the western Russian city of Belgorod, just north of the border with Ukraine, with plans to return to the front line in the direction of the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, according to Ukrainian intelligence.
"Usually, Russian units leaving the combat zone receive much more time for recovery and rest," the directorate said. "This indicates that 'special tasks' are expected for the 64th Brigade. The first of them: intimidation of inhabitants of settlements of Ukraine. Those who committed the crimes of genocide in Bucha may repeat this again in other cities."
![PHOTO: Destroyed Russian military vehicles are seen on a street in Bucha, Ukraine, on April 4, 2022.](https://s.abcnews.com/images/International/destroyed-russian-tanks-bucha-gty-220_hpMain_20220405-063431.jpg)
"Another goal of the rapid return of the 64th Brigade to the territory of Ukraine is the rapid 'disposal' of unnecessary witnesses. That is, relocation to a part of the front where they will not have a chance to stay alive to make it impossible to testify in future courts," the directorate added. "The personnel of the unit, aware of the resonance of the events in Bucha and the responsibility for the crimes committed, massively opposes the return to Ukraine. However, the Russian command ignores these sentiments and threatens the tribunal if they refuse to continue fighting. The militaries do not accept reports of dismissal from Russian soldiers."
On Monday, the directorate published online what it said was a list with the names of hundreds of personnel of Russia's 64th Motor Rifle Brigade whom they believe were directly responsible for the atrocities in Bucha. Ukrainian officials have said there is evidence of other Russian units being involved. Russia has denied the claims.
-ABC News' Natalia Kushnir