Lubinets: Russians probably executed Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword

Information has surfaced online that the occupiers executed an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war. A sword inscribed with ‘For Kursk’ was plunged into his chest, with his hands tied.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets responded to this incident.

«Such demonstrative executions are intended to demoralize Ukrainian society. However, witnessing such actions should only strengthen our resolve in the fight against the aggressor.«

The Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights emphasized that the execution of prisoners of war is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions. He also sent letters to international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, documenting yet another human rights violation by Russia.

Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war

For context, on August 27, Russians shot three Ukrainian prisoners of war. On September 6, a video and further details of the shooting were released.

The video, showing Russian forces shooting three Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered, was published by the American TV channel CNN. A Ukrainian official confirmed the authenticity of the video to journalists. Shortly after, the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office released further details about the incident.

According to the report, at noon on August 27, 2024, the Russian Armed Forces launched a UAV attack on a position held by Ukrainian forces in the Pokrovsk district. An incendiary munition dropped on the Ukrainian defenders’ shelter, starting a fire. The occupiers surrounded the burning position from three sides. During the ensuing firefight, one of the four Ukrainian servicemen was seriously wounded. His comrades, surrounded and under heavy enemy fire, were forced to surrender.

As per the prosecutor’s office, the soldiers emerged from the damaged shelter and knelt, placing their hands behind their heads. At that moment, Russian forces opened fire on them. The status of the wounded soldier is still being investigated.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin reported that since the start of the full-scale war, Russian forces have executed 73 Ukrainian prisoners of war, and this number continues to rise.

Law enforcement officials reiterated that killing prisoners of war is a violation of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a serious international crime.

Additionally, it was noted that since the beginning of September, Russians have executed four prisoners of war, three in the Toretsk sector. The location of the fourth execution remains unknown.