Ukrainian sniper Oleksandr Matsiyevsky was captured by Russian troops in the first year of the full-scale Russia-Ukraine war. A later video shows him sitting beside a grave in the forest, smoking the last cigarette of his life, which he was forced to dig.
Oleksandr called “the glory of Ukraine” to those who captured him. A few minutes later, gunshots rang out and he died. His execution was one of many incidents.
In October, nine Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces in Russia’s Kursk region were reportedly shot dead.
Ukrainian prosecutors have opened an investigation into a photo of a half-naked body lying on the ground. The body was that of drone operator Ruslan Holubenkore. His parents confirmed his identity after seeing the photo.
“I recognized her underwear by looking at her underwear,” a distraught mother told local broadcaster Saspilon Cherhnihiv.
“I bought it for him before I went on a sea voyage. I also knew he had been shot across the shoulder. You can probably see it in the picture as well. “
The deaths of Ukrainian prisoners continue. Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating the killing of a Ukrainian soldier by beheading him with a sword while his hands tied behind his back.
Another video showed 16 Ukrainian soldiers lined up. And coming out of a forest, they are being brushfired.
Some of the videos circulating about the deaths were made by Russian soldiers themselves. Others were taken with the help of Ukrainian drones. Most of the videos showing these killings were usually forest areas.
Murders are on the rise
The Ukrainian prosecution service says at least 147 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed since Russian forces launched a full-scale invasion. Of those, 127 are from this year.
“It is very clear that it is growing,” said Yuri Belousov, head of the Ukrainian prosecutor-general’s office. “
“The death penalty has continued since November last year. Sadly, it’s worse this winter and summer.”
According to international humanitarian law, especially the Third Geneva Convention, the protection of prisoners of war is guaranteed. In this case, the execution of prisoners of war is a war crime.
Impunity
Rachel Denber, deputy Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said there was no shortage of evidence to support allegations that Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed by Russian soldiers.
According to him, the main issue in this case is impunity. There are important questions against the Russian army. Which they should answer.
“What instructions have these units received, formally or informally, from their commanders? Do their commanders know how prisoners of war should be treated according to the Geneva Conventions? What are Russian military commanders telling their units about their behavior? What steps have been taken? What is Chain of Command? Or are these incidents they are investigating?”
“And if the higher ups don’t investigate it or take action, do they know that they, too, can be added to the list of criminals and detained?” asked Denber.
So far, there have been no reports that Russia is officially investigating claims that it is executing prisoners of war in Ukraine.
According to Vladimir Putin, Russian forces have always treated Ukrainian prisoners of war in accordance with international law and conventions.
Ukrainian forces have also been accused of executing Russian prisoners of war, but in much smaller numbers.
Yuri Belousov said that the Ukrainian Prosecution Service takes such allegations “very seriously” and is investigating them. So far, no one has been charged in those incidents.
According to Human Rights Watch, all “war crimes” or crimes against humanity committed by Russian forces since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022 should be investigated.