U.S. Accuses Russia Of Forcibly Sending Thousands of Ukrainians to "Filtration Centers"

Washington on Thursday accused Moscow of forcibly sending at least tens of thousands of Ukrainians to be processed at Russia’s so-called filtration centers and evacuating more to Russia or Russia-controlled territory, TURAN's U.S. correspondent reports.

Michael Carpenter, the US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, said that witness testimony attests to brutal interrogations in the camps.

"Accounts of this brutality and forced displacement are happening right now, as we speak, and these actions amount to war crimes," Carpenter said in a statement. "We must not allow this evil to stand."

The remarks support allegations by the Ukrainian government which estimates nearly 1.2 million people have been deported into Russia and/or Russian-controlled territory.

The move comes as the UN Human Rights Council on Thursday approved an investigation into possible war crimes by Russian troops in Ukraine.

Members of the council voted 33 to 2 in favour of a resolution brought forward by Kyiv to order a Commission of Inquiry to probe alleged atrocities in several regions around the Ukrainian capital that were temporarily held by Russian troops.

Back in Washington, Secretary of State Antony Blinken is slated to head to Germany this weekend for a meeting of NATO foreign ministers on their response to Russia's war in Ukraine.

The U.S. and allies are also trying to fast-track Finland and Sweden’s NATO membership in what would be a remarkable diplomatic and security defeat for Russia as a result of its invasion of Ukraine.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters that Washington will respect whatever choice those countries make, noting that Finland and Sweden are already close defensive partners.

Asked whether the risk of further provocation from Russia outweighs the benefit of having Finland and Sweden join NATO, Psaki said Vladimir Putin "caused this" and reiterated that NATO is a defensive alliance.

"There is no aggressive intent from NATO, from the U.S., from Finland and Sweden to Russia," Psaki said.

The U.S. continues to support NATO's open-door policy, she added.

Alex Raufoglu

Washington D.C.