Holocaust Memorial Day Trust statement on the situation in Ukraine

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust is appalled that President Putin is deliberately misusing Holocaust language and imagery – this is knowingly distorting the historical record and is antisemitic. He is cynically abusing the term ‘genocide’ to justify Russia’s unprovoked invasion.

We are horrified at the increasing evidence that Russia is inflicting war crimes on Ukraine and its people. Russia is deliberately attacking civilian infrastructure, violating international laws and its forces are attempting to destroy the Ukrainian state, including civilian targets and with no regard to what should have been safe corridors.

As people around the world are shocked and galvanised by the plight of people attempting to flee, and donate to support the residents of Ukraine, so we urge governments to show a similar willingness to act with compassion and responsibility towards refugees from the invasion.