Russian forces executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Pokrovske direction, marking the largest execution since the start of the war.
This was reported by the Office of the Prosecutor General and the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, on Telegram.
The Office of the Prosecutor General noted that on October 1, information surfaced online about the possible execution of 16 Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. Unconfirmed reports suggest the war crime occurred near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar in the Pokrovske district.
A released video shows Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers, taken prisoner, emerging from a wooded area under Russian control. Once they lined up, the Russians deliberately opened fire, killing them. Survivors showing signs of life were then shot at close range.
These actions violate the Geneva Conventions and are classified as a serious international crime.
"This is the largest known case of the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the front line. It is further evidence that the killing and torture of prisoners is not an isolated incident but a deliberate policy of Russia's military and political leadership," said Prosecutor General Andrii Kostin.
An investigation has been launched into violations of the laws and customs of war, including intentional killing.
Authorities are currently verifying the video and conducting investigations to determine the full circumstances of the crime.
In response, Lubinets stated that letters have been sent to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding this Russian war crime.
"The systemic nature of crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war must be stopped, and those responsible must be held accountable," he added.
Unfortunately, the execution of Ukrainian prisoners by Russian troops is not rare. Recently, similar brutal videos have appeared regularly online.
