The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has reported a concerning increase in the number of executions of Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces during the ongoing conflict, as stated on Monday.
Since late August 2024, the mission has documented 79 executions across 24 distinct incidents. International humanitarian law strictly forbids the execution of prisoners of war and the wounded, categorizing such acts as war crimes.
The mission noted that numerous Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered or were in the custody of Russian forces were shot immediately. Eyewitness accounts also recounted the killings of unarmed and injured Ukrainian personnel, according to the statement released by the mission. Reuters has sought comments from both the Russian defense ministry and Ukrainian officials but has not yet received any replies.
The UN body has gathered and analyzed video and photographic evidence from both Ukrainian and Russian sources depicting executions or deceased individuals, and it has conducted thorough interviews with witnesses.
The reported executions occurred in regions where Russian military operations were actively taking place. Danielle Bell, the head of the mission, indicated that some Russian officials have openly advocated for the inhumane treatment and even execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers. Additionally, the mission reported the execution of a wounded and incapacitated Russian soldier by Ukrainian forces in 2024, although no further details were provided.
The Ukrainian prosecutor’s office previously announced that it is examining numerous instances of the execution of Ukrainian military personnel by Russian forces.
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