The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has announced 79 cases of death by Ukrainian prisoners of war in 24 separate incidents since late August 2024 . Most of these cases occurred in areas of active fighting during Russian offensive operations.
“The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine today has expressed anxiety with a sharp increase in the number of reports on the death of Ukrainian military captured by the Russian Armed Forces. Since the end of August 2024, the mission recorded 79 such executions in 24 separate incidents, ”the message reads.
Many Ukrainian soldiers who were captured or in custody were shot dead. The testimony of the witnesses also told the killings of the unarmed and wounded Ukrainian military.
Regarding 24 incidents, the mission has received and analyzed video and photo materials published by Ukrainian and Russian sources that show executions or corpses. The mission also conducted a detailed survey of witnesses. Geolocation and chronology incidents indicate that the executions reported in the areas where Russian offensive operations continued. These messages were appreciated as reliable.
“These incidents did not occur in an empty space. Public figures in the Russian Federation were openly called for inhumane treatment and even the execution of captured Ukrainian servicemen. In combination with broad laws on amnesty, such statements can incite or encourage unlawful behavior, ”said the UN Mission Chairman Daniel Bell.
It is noted that in 2024, the mission recorded at least 3 such calls from civil servants of the Russian Federation, as well as a number of publications on social networks of military groups related to the Russian Armed Forces, which reported, orders or approves executions.
The UN emphasizes that international humanitarian law prohibits orders that no one is alive, threaten the enemy, or fighting on this basis. An announcement that there will be no mercy is a serious violation of international humanitarian law and a war crime.
"All statements about the execution of captured Ukrainian servicemen and public statements that call for or justify such actions should be investigated," Belle said.
In addition, the UN states that the mission also documented the Ukrainian armed forces of the wounded and incapacitated Russian soldier in 2024.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga, commenting on the increase in the number of Ukrainian prisoners of war, has been commented on the increase in the number of Russian prisoners of war.
“These atrocities require urgent international actions. The horrific shootings of Russia by Ukrainian prisoners of war show that Ukraine is opposed to real beasts. The world must not only condemn, but also take urgent measures. New effective international legal instruments, specific steps to bring the perpetrators responsible, ”Sibiga stressed.
In October 2024, the Institute for War Study (ISW) reported that recently Russian troops increased the number of systematic executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war.
On October 4, 2024, the head of the Department of Military Crimes of the Attorney General Yuriy Belousov reported that Russian invaders executed 93 Ukrainian military on the battlefield.
