Occupiers/Illustrative photo
In September, new executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were recorded. Since the beginning of the month, information has emerged about the execution of four Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces.
The first case was reported on September 3, occurring in the Toretsk sector of the Donetsk region. The Russians posted a video of the execution online.
«The Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Donetsk and Luhansk regions has launched a pre-trial investigation into the alleged execution of three Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Toretsk sector by the occupiers. Such actions are a gross violation of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Russia continues to demonstrate its terrorist nature by escalating its atrocities. Every day, Ukrainians endure tragedies to which the international community has not yet adequately responded. I call on international organizations and partner countries to pressure Russia to take responsibility for its crimes», — said Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, at the time.
The Office of the Prosecutor General published further details about the execution. According to the report, three soldiers from one of the Armed Forces of Ukraine’s brigades emerged from the basement of a house with their hands up as the enemy approached. The occupiers forced them to lie face down on the ground and then shot them in the back almost immediately.
On September 6, the execution of another Ukrainian POW became known. A video of this incident was published by the Telegram channel of the Ukrainian state project «I Want to Live.» The footage shows a man in uniform lying on the ground, after which another soldier, apparently Russian, approaches and shoots him.
«We have long understood that the Ukrainian army is dealing with sadists and murderers. But what kind of person records such atrocities, making it easier to identify them? Ukrainian special services are aware of almost all such cases, and the Russian criminals in uniform will not go unpunished. We remind everyone that war crimes and crimes against humanity have no statute of limitations», — the statement said.
Russians regularly execute Ukrainian POWs, employing not only shootings but also beheadings. In total, during the full-scale war, Russian forces have executed more than 60 Ukrainian prisoners of war.