Hundred of Bodies Discovered in Kursk Mass Graves

(MENAFN) Russian officials say 524 bodies have been uncovered in “mass burial sites” in the Kursk border region following last year’s Ukrainian incursion, according to Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia’s human rights commissioner.

Ukrainian forces launched an offensive into Kursk in August 2024, initially advancing before being pushed back. Kiev described the operation as an attempt to pressure Moscow and gain leverage in future negotiations. The campaign stalled, and Russian troops regained full control of the region by April 2025.

Authorities in Moscow have since collected testimony alleging war crimes, indiscriminate shelling, and civilian abuses during Ukraine’s presence, including mistreatment of prisoners of war.

On Wednesday, Moskalkova told reporters that Russia had mobilized “all its resources” to locate civilians affected by the fighting. She confirmed that 524 bodies had been recovered from mass graves since August 2024, though she did not specify whether the victims were military personnel or civilians.

She added that 2,173 people were registered as missing during the incursion. Of those, 1,378 have been located, 452 remain unaccounted for, and 343 have been confirmed dead.

Accusing Ukrainian forces of ongoing attacks, Moskalkova said: “In 2026, as of January 20, ten people were killed and 52 civilians wounded, including three children.”

She further alleged that Ukraine is holding 12 Kursk residents in violation of the Geneva Conventions, demanding their immediate release. Some of these residents were previously returned to Russia during prisoner exchanges.

Earlier this month, Aleksandr Bastrykin, head of Russia’s Investigative Committee, reported that 445 civilians were killed and 553 wounded during Ukraine’s occupation of the region.

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