Russian commanders implicated in execution of Ukrainian POWs
Russian forces have executed Ukrainian prisoners of war. This is not an isolated case, reports the American Institute for the Study of War. The think tank suggests that Russian commanders likely allowed, encouraged, or directly ordered the executions of Ukrainian prisoners.
14 October 2024 06:44
Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have observed an increase in the number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, indicating that these actions appear to have the implicit approval of Russian commanders who are also promoting such practices.
"ISW continues to monitor video recordings and reports of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers and observes a broader trend of Russian abuses towards Ukrainian prisoners across the front. These actions appear to be tolerated, if not completely accepted, by individual Russian commanders," states the published report.
Ukrainians have evidence of at least 93 executions of their prisoners of war. About 80% of the recorded cases took place in 2024, according to ISW.
The Washington-based think tank also highlights the glorification of killing prisoners by Russian military bloggers, who "serve as authorities in establishing and reinforcing accepted cultural norms within the Russian ultranationalist community." ISW further emphasizes that these bloggers have strong ties with the Kremlin, and their actions are aimed at "encouraging the systematic execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war."
Russians executed Ukrainian prisoners
ISW addressed the issue of increasing executions with reference to the latest instance of Ukrainian prisoners being executed, which was reported by analysts from Deepstate on Sunday.
Nine Ukrainian prisoners were executed by Russians in the Kursk Oblast, as reported by analysts from Deepstate who cited sources within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
Analysts explained that a group of Ukrainians encountered Russian forces while returning to their positions and surrendered due to a lack of ammunition.
The Ukrainian ombudsman wrote on Telegram that "such actions constitute a blatant violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War," and has sent letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding another Russian war crime.
"Russia is a terrorist country that violates all rules and customs of war. The international community should not turn a blind eye to such crimes," urged Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian ombudsman, on social media.
The Ukrainian prosecutor's office also announced that it has investigated this matter.
