Russian President Vladimir Putin has previously backed calls for the use of captured Western-made weapons by pro-Russian forces

It is feared that Vladimir Putin’s troops may have used Western weapons to commit and cover up war crimes.

Officials fear Russia has used such invasion tactics to evade crimes as its invasion of Ukraine continues.

Mr Putin has previously backed calls for captured Western-made weapons to be handed over to pro-Russian forces.

The Russian President said earlier this year: “Regarding weapons, especially Western-made weapons captured by Russian troops, I certainly support plans to hand them over to the forces of the Donetsk and Luhansk people’s republics. “.

And now investigators are exploring evidence following fears that such weapons are being used in Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.

It comes after at least 20 civilians were killed and dozens injured on Thursday in a Russian cruise missile strike on the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia by a submarine in the Black Sea, Ukrainian officials said.

Video footage and photographs from the city showed thick black smoke billowing from a tall building after one of the deadliest strikes on a civilian target since the February 24 invasion of Russia.

Three children were among the dead, officials said.

The Ukrainian military said Vinnytsia was hit by three Russian missiles fired from an unnamed submarine and Ukrainian forces shot down two others.

Police said among those injured were around 50 people with serious injuries and 15 others missing.

“Cruise missiles hit two community facilities, houses were destroyed, a medical center was destroyed, cars and trams caught fire,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

“This is a Russian act of terror… 20 people have died so far,” he added.