The United States has warned that Russian authorities have prepared 'capture or kill' lists with names of Ukrainians 'to be killed or sent to camps' in the event of an invasion.
In a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the US said it had received 'credible intelligence' that detailed target lists of politicians and other public figures were being distributed to Russian forces, and warned that 'human rights violations and abuses in the aftermath of a further invasion are being planned'.
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In the letter, a copy of which has been obtained by the Washington Post, the United States' ambassador to the UN wrote that forces would likely 'target those who oppose Russian actions, including Russian and Belarusian dissidents in exile in Ukraine, journalists and anti-corruption activists, and vulnerable populations such as religious and ethnic minorities and LGBTQI+ persons'.
It points to Russia's past use of 'targeted killings, kidnappings/forced disappearances, unjust detentions, and the use of torture', and warns that similar atrocities would likely by carried out in Ukraine should Russia successfully carry out an invasion or occupation of the country.
The US warned that as well as creating lists of 'identified Ukrainians', it anticipated that Russian forces would also 'likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations'.
The Kremlin has denied such lists exist, with a spokesperson telling CNN the reports were 'fake news' and 'absolute fiction'.
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The reports came shortly before Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to enter two pro-Russian separatists regions in Ukraine, a move that has been condemned by the UK as the beginning of a wider invasion.
It was reported that following the move, the US was urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to relocate to Lviv, a city close to Ukraine's border with Poland, amid fears that Russian forces may target the capital, Kyiv.
CNN reports that US intelligence sources believe Russia plans to target Ukrainian politicians for removal, replacing them with a pro-Russian government.
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On Monday, February 21, Putin confirmed that Russia would officially recognise the Donetsk and Luhansk People's Republics as independent states, a move which Ukraine and its western allies have said violates international law and paves the way for Russian troops to mount a 'full-scale invasion' of Ukraine.
The UK, US and EU are all expected to announce limited sanctions targeting Russia later today.
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Hannah Smith