On April 3, Russian forces pulled out of Ukraine’s capital city, Kyiv, after 43 days of combat among Ukraine’s citizens. As forces drew out, they left behind a grim scene, uncovering the aftereffects and horrors of war.

According to reporters and citizens, a town near Kyiv, Bucha, suffered the most mass casualties. On a single street alone, 20 scattered bodies were found, with another 280 buried in graves nearby. Evidence also shows there was a case of rape and multiple executions of civilians — some with their hands tied behind their back, left for dead.

As a result, there have been more than 2,000 incidents of violation of the law and customs of war reported to Ukrainian prosecutor Iryna Venediktova.

Furthermore, in a Ukrainian city near Zaporizhzhya, four people were left severely wounded and burned after Russian forces fired mortars at war protesters, according to a Ukrainian human rights ombudsman. 

According to the United Nations, the current death toll in Ukraine exceeds 13,300, with 3,393 of these being civilians.

As the death toll in Ukraine continues to rise in number and brutal scenes are uncovered as a result of Russia’s invasions, society continues to recognize the true horrors of war and its effects on what was once a prospering country that is now subject to a never-ending nightmare.

As of now, 100,000 Ukrainian civilians are trapped in a port near the southern and eastern parts of Ukraine, where the Red Cross is currently trying to provide aid. An adviser to Ukrainian President Zelenskyy warns Ukrainians of “difficult fights ahead,” suggesting that though Russia has pulled out of Kyiv, this does not mean the fight is over. And if the results are anything like Kyiv, Ukrainians should prepare for what may come.

In an attempt to help Ukraine, some Western nations such as Germany are divesting from using Russian gas and are currently helping provide weapons to Ukraine for defense. Additionally, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, in conjunction with Poland, are cutting off contact with Russian fuel imports. Though it is unknown how much longer this war may last, nations have banded together to help Ukraine in times of fear and uncertainty.