Graphic footage shows the bodies of civilians that were allegedly killed by Russian troops as they fled villages near the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

The bodies were discovered by Ukrainian forces on March 29 as they took back the settlements.

Andrey, a Ukrainian soldier, said: "They just shot, they saw that it was not military, but just civilian, but they shot from it anyway.

"People who were not guilty at all, who simply wanted to get away from the war, were killed by Russian invaders."

Russian forces had controlled the passage to Chuhuiv, a city less than 40 kilometres east of Kharkiv, for several weeks.

Exclusive footage shows dozens of buildings destroyed as well as homes riddled with bullet holes as a result of intense fighting.

Ukrainian forces have reportedly taken back the villages of Malaya Rohan and Vil'khivka from Russian forces.

The charred remains of Russian military equipment are also seen as several destroyed cars blocked a highway.

The Ukrainian military is clearing the route between Kharkiv and Chuguev - it has been controlled by the Russian military for several weeks. Defenders of the city broke through here after the occupiers were driven out of the villages of Mala Rohan and Vilkhivka. Part of the enemy equipment was overtaken and destroyed. Among the trophies - a working anti-aircraft complex "Tunguska". In several places the road is blocked by shot cars and trucks, on the roadsides - the bodies of civilians killed by the Russians.



1.they just shot from, they saw that it was not military, but just civilian, but they shot from it anyway 2. people who were not guilty at all, who simply wanted to get away from the war, were killed by Russian orc invaders, we are from the so-called