Russian President Vladimir Putin has honoured the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade, which has been accused of committing atrocities in Bucha, the town near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, where mass civilian graves were found after Moscow’s troops retreated. 

Putin has decided to bestow the title “Guards” for “mass heroism and valour, tenacity and courage” the members displayed, as per Agence France-Presse. 

The actions in Bucha have been condemned by the global community, with even nations like India, who’ve remained by far neutral in the matter, calling for an investigation.

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While both Ukraine and the US have been ready to label Russian actions a genocide, French President Emmanuel Macron has said it is a legal term and not one to be bandied around by politicians. In response, Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky invited the Frenchman to see evidence of Russians committing genocide in Ukraine. 

Putin already stands accused of war crimes for targeting civilians in Ukraine, especially in besieged cities like Mariupol. 

The events at Bucha are under investigation with the death toll going over 900. Russia claims that Ukrainian nazis are responsible for the killings in the town. 

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Since Putin sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, the Russian President has grown increasingly intolerant of any criticism of Moscow’s forces. The nation also passed a draconian law with a risk of imprisonment for spreading what the Kremlin deems to be ‘fake news‘ about its troops. 

The president’s praise of the brigade comes at a time when he has put a new man in charge, Aleksandr Dvornikov, amid reports of discontent within the Russian army. Moscow has changed tactics in the war, for now, withdrawing from the north to focus an attack on the east. The plan is to enter through the Donbas region and make a push from the south through Mariupol to gain control of that area.