Russian commander caught ordering execution of Ukrainian POWs
CNN has revealed a recording that confirms a Russian military order to execute Ukrainian prisoners. This is yet another piece of evidence of brutal actions in the Zaporizhzhia region in 2024.
What you need to know
- Audio recording: CNN received a radio recording from Ukrainian intelligence in which a Russian commander orders the killing of Ukrainian prisoners.
- Executions in the Zaporizhzhia region: The recording pertains to events from 2024, where the execution of Ukrainian soldiers was documented.
- UN investigations: Information about the executions has been reported to the UN, and Western intelligence confirms the authenticity of the recordings.
CNN, citing a Ukrainian intelligence officer, revealed a radio recording in which a Russian commander instructs his soldiers to execute Ukrainian prisoners.
- Take the commander captive and kill everyone else - these words are spoken on the recording related to events in the Zaporizhzhia region in 2024. This recording is further evidence of the brutal actions of Russian troops.
What do UN investigators say?
UN investigators and representatives of Western intelligence services confirm that the audio and drone video recordings align with other reports of executions of Ukrainian soldiers.
- It is clear the soldier receives an order to execute the Ukrainian soldiers who have surrendered - stated a representative of Western intelligence.
The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine is conducting 75 criminal investigations regarding the executions of Ukrainian prisoners. The number of cases is increasing, which, according to Yuriy Bielousov from the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, results from orders given by Russian leaders.
- We didn’t yet see a written order, but we had several examples of oral orders - emphasized Bielousov.