Ukrainian President accused Russia of committing genocide in his country, as Western leaders condemned images emerging of dead Ukrainian civilians in a town abandoned by Russian forces outside the capital, Kyiv.

“Indeed, this is genocide. The elimination of the whole nation and the people”, - Volodymyr Zelensky told CBS’ “Face the Nation” news program.

“We are the citizens of Ukraine and we don’t want to be subdued to the policy of Russian Federation. This is the reason we are being destroyed and exterminated”.

Zelensky’s remarks came a day after Ukrainian forces moved into the town of Bucha near Kyiv and found what officials and witnesses said were the bodies of civilians killed by Russian forces.

Asked whether Russian President Vladimir Putin would be held accountable, Zelensky said others also shared the blame.

“I think all the military commanders, everyone who gave instructions and orders should be punished adequately”, - he added.

Asked what would constitute adequate punishment, he said: “When we find people with hands tied behind their back and decapitated … I don’t know what law or what imprisonment term would be adequate for this”.