Photography
Ukrainian forces found mass graves in Bucha, a suburb northwest of Kyiv, on Saturday while recapturing territory. The discovery has prompted calls for war-crime probes, and condemnation of the alleged assault on civilians resounded around the world, with numerous countries demanding investigations and accountability.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Freelance photographer Heidi Levine, on assignment for The Washington Post, made it into Bucha and recorded the following scenes. Larisa Savenko told Levine: “A Russian [armored personnel carrier] was parked at my garden for three days. Five gunmen entered my house; they looked at our documents and took our phones away. The Russians told us that we are lucky to have them, because other Russian troops would have already shot us. The Russians kicked my neighbors out of their home at night and lived in their house. We had to stay in our stable for a couple of nights with three dogs, five cats and three people. We were not allowed to start a fire to heat ourselves. The gunfire did not stop for a moment.”
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Larisa Savenko, 72, stands outside her damaged home in Bucha with Andriy Leshbon.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Some images may be disturbing because of graphic content, including of bodies found in Bucha.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Destroyed Russian military equipment.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Two corpses that investigators say were tortured by Russian troops.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A woman smokes a cigarette as she leans against destroyed Russian military equipment.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Police officers work in the investigation process.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A grave of a victim outside an apartment building.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A man carries a coffin.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Volunteers carry the body of a man whose hands had been bound behind his back.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A wrecked bridge in Bucha.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Ukrainian troops walk along a road littered with destroyed Russian vehicles.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Volunteers collect bodies and place them in bags.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Ukrainian troops on abandoned Russian military equipment.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Ukrainians waited in line for hours to receive aid.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A Ukrainian soldier stands amid rubble in Bucha.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Kostya Momotov, 69, walks with a dog.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A Ukrainian soldier gives a thumbs-up as he stands atop a destroyed Russian vehicle.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A man walks by damaged homes and Russian military equipment.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Battered Russian vehicles litter a residential neighborhood.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A woman surveys the damage.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
The ruins of a home.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
A man walks through a street filled with rubble.
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
Heidi Levine for The Washington Post
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Credits
Photo editing and production by Kenneth Dickerman