File photo: CGTN

The Kremlin on Monday rejected accusations that Russian forces were responsible for killing civilians near Kyiv and suggested that the images of corpses were "fake".

"We categorically reject all allegations," Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

Russian "experts at the ministry of defense have identified signs of video fakes and various fakes," he said. "We would demand that many international leaders do not rush to sweeping accusations and at least listen to our arguments."

Recent media reports said Ukraine blames Russia for killing hundreds of civilians around towns outside the capital Kyiv like Bucha, as Russian forces withdrew.

The Ukrainian allegations have soon drawn condemnation worldwide as the EU mulls stepping up sanctions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday also said he was "deeply shocked" by images of civilians killed and called for an independent investigation.