UN Ambassador Says Russia Has A List Of Opponents To Arrest Or Kill If It Invades Ukraine

The US ambassador to the United Nations (UN); Bathsheba Nell Crocker claims that Russia is creating lists of Ukrainians “to be killed or sent to camps” in the event of an invasion.

“We are deeply concerned about Russia’s continuing human rights abuses in the parts of Ukraine it already occupies and have every reason to believe those concerns will multiply following a new military offensive,” she wrote in a letter to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet shared by the Washington Post on Monday.

Crocker wrote that “disturbing information” obtained by the US suggests that Russia is already planning human rights abuses ahead of a possible invasion of Ukraine. She added that Russian forces had used tactics such as targeted killings, kidnappings, illegal detentions, and torture during previous operations.

According to Crocker, dissidents, journalists, ethnic minority groups, and LGBTQ+ individuals are likely targets.

“Specifically, we have credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation. We also have credible information that Russian forces will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations,” she added.

The target lists are part of Russia’s plan to replace the current Ukrainian administration with a pro-Russia government, sources familiar with the intelligence told CNN.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made similar warnings during a speech to the United Nations Security Council on Thursday in which he outlined how a Russian invasion of Ukraine might go.

Blinken said that Russia might start by launching missiles and bombs before sending tanks and soldiers into Ukraine.

“Conventional attacks are not all that Russia plans to inflict upon the people of Ukraine. We have information that indicates Russia will target specific groups of Ukrainians,” Blinken said.

On Sunday, President Joe Biden and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin indicated their in-principle agreement to hold a summit on February 24. Earlier that day, CBS News reported that Russian commanders had received orders to proceed with the Ukraine invasion.

President Joe Biden on Friday said that he was “convinced” that Russian President Vladimir Putin would launch an attack into the country in the coming days.

Russia has continuously denied that it plans to attack, but has so far amassed as many as 190,000 troops along the Ukraine-Russia border.