- Satellite images provided by Maxar Technologies show evidence of mass graves in a town outside of Mariupol.
- The expansion of these new graves started at the end of March and has continued through April, according to Maxar.
- Russian forces have been bombarding the city and targeting civilian areas since the invasion of Ukraine began.
New satellite images show evidence of mass graves outside of the Ukrainian city of Mariupol as Russians are nearing their conquest of the city.
Satellite images from Maxar Technologies show a mass grave site at a cemetery in Manhush, a town located about 12 miles west of Mariupol.
Analysis of satellite images from Maxar shows that there was an expansion of a new set of graves in this location at the end of March and that the gravesite continued to expand in April.
The new gravesite includes more than 200 new graves, according to Maxar.
Last month, a United Nations human rights ream reported evidence of mass graves around the city, which has been the target of a sustained bombing campaign that has leveled much of the city. Russian forces have targeted civilian areas — including apartment complexes and a theater serving as a shelter.
This week, forces reportedly bombed a steel plant in Mariupol where civilians and the remaining Ukrainian defenders were hiding.
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenksyy and international rights groups have decried the attacks as war crimes and "genocide."
At least 21,000 have died in Mariupol and the Mayor of Mariupol said their bodies are "carpeted through the streets," the Times of Israel reported.
Russia has ramped up its assault in eastern Ukraine in recent days after Putin's forces suffered setbacks and were unable to capture Ukraine's capital, Kyiv.