New York: A decision which is described as a setback to Russia, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) suspended Russia from the Human Rights Council after killings in Ukraine's Bucha.

The international media reports said that the UN has found evidence of civilian killings in Bucha and other towns around Kyiv.

It may be noted that Ukraine has been accusing Russian forces of attacking civilians and killing them. Ukraine has also said that Russia has been hiding the evidence of mass killings in Mariupol city.

The allegations have though been denied by Russia. The war and reports of killing civilians by Russian forces have shocked the world and triggered calls for new sanctions on Moscow.

Meanwhile, during the voting at the UN, of the 193 members of the assembly, 93 voted in favour of suspension as proposed by the United States while 24 voted against and 58 abstained, suggesting weakening international unity against Russia at the United Nations.

It was the second-ever suspension of a country from the council. Libya was the first, in 2011.

Following the decision of the UN, Ukraine thanked the UN for supporting Ukraine. It said that it is grateful for the decision to suspend Russia from the UN Human Rights Council.

Ukraine calls Russia a "war criminals" and said that it should not get any representation in the UN.
"War criminals have no place in UN bodies aimed at protecting human rights," Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

"Grateful to all member states which supported the relevant UNGA (United Nations General Assembly) resolution and chose the right side of history."