Russian President Vladimir Putin has bestowed an honorary title on a brigade accused by Ukraine of committing war crimes in the town of Bucha.
A decree signed by Putin on April 18 gave the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade the title of Guards for their defense of the "motherland and state interests" and praised the "mass heroism and valor, tenacity, and courage" of its members.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said the unit committed war crimes during its occupation of Bucha, a town northwest of Kyiv, and has vowed to seek justice for the victims.
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'They Killed People Systematically': Bucha Residents Allege War Crimes By Expelled Russian Forces
A majority of the civilians killed in Bucha died from gunshot wounds, Ukrainian police said last week. Some of the victims had their hands tied behind their back.
Russian authorities claim that Russian forces have not attacked civilians in Ukraine and said videos from Bucha showing the bodies of civilians lying in the streets were staged in order to justify new Western sanctions and disrupt cease-fire negotiations.
The announcement of the honorary title was made as Russia continues its war against Ukraine, which has killed thousands of people, uprooted millions of Ukrainians from their homes, and resulted in massive sanctions against Moscow.