Russia Compiled “Execution Lists” Targeting Ukrainian Teachers, Journalists, and Clergy Before the Invasion

Russia developed plans for targeted killings of Ukrainian citizens prior to its full-scale invasion, according to General-Lieutenant Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence. The “execution lists” reportedly included teachers, veterans of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO ), journalists, scientists, writers, and religious leaders.

Budanov shared these details during the forum titled “Genocidal Practices of the Russian Federation in Ukraine: From the Holodomor to the Russo-Ukrainian War”. He stated that these measures were part of broader preparations by Russia, which aimed to systematically eliminate key segments of Ukrainian society in the event of occupation.

The preparation included not only creating these lists but also organizing mobile crematoriums and instructing occupying forces on the location of collective burial sites. “The lists targeted individuals such as Ukrainian language and literature teachers, historians, ATO veterans, journalists, academics, writers, and religious figures from the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and other faiths who supported Ukraine. They also included civic and political leaders, as well as officials from state and local governments,” Budanov explained.

He emphasized that the widespread atrocities committed by Russian forces in cities such as Bucha, Borodianka, Hostomel, Izium, and Mariupol reflect a coordinated strategy rooted in the Kremlin’s genocidal policies.

Reports from earlier in 2022 also suggested such plans. In February of that year, German media outlet Bild revealed documents outlining Russia’s intent to suppress resistance movements and establish camps for dissenting Ukrainians in the event of occupation.