Russia's war crime: Systematic executions of Ukrainian POWs

Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began, the number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war has significantly increased. The Ukrainian Prosecutor's Office reports that at least 147 prisoners have died since the conflict started, with 127 of these deaths occurring just this year. Executions have become systematic since November of last year and have continued throughout this year.

The UN data is based on the analysis of video materials and photos published by both Ukrainian and Russian sources. Danielle Bell, the head of the mission, noted that Russian public figures have called for inhumane treatment of Ukrainian soldiers. Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Andrij Sybiha, has also confirmed this information.

Drone footage and media reports confirm the brutality with which Russian soldiers treat Ukrainian prisoners. In October, nine Ukrainian soldiers were shot in the Kursk region. These executions are documented, indicating their systematic nature and apparent approval from Russian commanders.

Sybiha has called for urgent international action, emphasizing that it could be one of the largest campaigns of deliberate killing of prisoners of war in modern history. "The terrifying executions carried out by Russia show that Ukraine is dealing with real beasts," he wrote on the X platform.

The American Institute for the Study of War points to the approval of Russian commanders for the executions, viewing them as part of the Kremlin's policy. Russian military bloggers, associated with the Kremlin, glorify these actions, reinforcing certain cultural norms among Russian ultranationalists.

International humanitarian law, including the Third Geneva Convention, provides protection to prisoners of war, and their executions constitute a war crime. Despite this, Russia has not conducted formal investigations into these allegations, and mentioning them in Russia carries severe penalties.

Source: PAP