The United States has informed the United Nations that it considers Russia is planning to kill or detain a substantial number of critics, dissidents, and “vulnerable communities” in Ukraine during an invasion.

Ambassador Bathsheba Nell Crocker, the United States’ representative to the United Nations and Other International Organizations in Geneva, made the claims in a letter to Michelle Bachelet, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, which was first reported by The Washington Post on Sunday evening.

According to a report published by NBC News based on the letter said: “We have credible information that indicates Russian forces are creating lists of identified Ukrainians to be killed or sent to camps following a military occupation.”

The US believes Russia 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,” Crocker said in the letter.

The letter warns of widespread “human rights breaches and abuses,” as well as the use of unlawful force against demonstrators.

“We also have credible information that Russian forces will likely use lethal measures to disperse peaceful protests or otherwise counter peaceful exercises of perceived resistance from civilian populations,” the letter says.

According to the report, Secretary of State Antony Blinken brought the issue up with the United Nations Security Council last week. On Dec. 15, the United States raised the issues in a debate at the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Late Sunday, the office of French President Emmanuel Macron said that Macron had arranged a meeting between President Joe Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Ukraine.

Outside of Ukraine, more than 150,000 Russian troops are stationed.

Late Sunday, White House sources said the planned meeting hasn’t affected the administration’s belief that Russia is planning an invasion.

(Adapted from WionNews.com)

Categories: Geopolitics, Regulations & Legal, Strategy, Uncategorized