Ukrainian law enforcement is investigating the executions of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war, 208 of whom were executed on the battlefield and 59 at the Olenivka prison colony.
This was reported by Yuriy Belousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Conditions of Armed Conflict at the Office of the Prosecutor General.
“We are aware of 268 Ukrainian POWs who were executed, including those at Olenivka. 208 were executed on the battlefield,” he stated.
According to Bielousov, the number of POW executions on the battlefield is increasing each year.
“In 2023, 11 POWs were executed on the battlefield. In 2024, the number rose to 149. So far this year, 51 have already been executed,” he said.
Belousov also noted that Ukrainian courts have delivered three convictions for the executions of Ukrainian POWs.
In addition, Ukrainian law enforcement holds several Russian soldiers suspected of being involved in the executions.
Investigations into other cases are ongoing.
A separate line of investigation concerns the killing of Ukrainian POWs at the Olenivka prison colony.
“Suspicion has been announced against the facility’s head and his deputy for failing to provide medical assistance after the explosion, resulting in the deaths of nine people. The investigation into the organization of the explosion itself is still ongoing. This case remains one of our priorities,” Belousov added.
