Russian Forces Executed 16 Ukrainian Prisoners of War in Pokrovsk Direction

Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General has initiated a pre-trial investigation into the killing of 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces in the Pokrovsk direction. The investigation is being conducted under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which addresses violations of the laws and customs of war.

On October 1, 2024, information surfaced on Telegram channels, alleging that Russian military forces executed 16 captured Ukrainian soldiers near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar in the Pokrovsk direction. A video released on social media reportedly shows the prisoners, under Russian control, being led out of a wooded area and lined up. Once they were in formation, Russian forces opened fire. The footage allegedly depicts surviving prisoners being fatally shot at close range.

These actions represent a severe violation of the Geneva Conventions and are classified as serious international crimes. The Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Andriy Kostin, underscored that this mass execution is the largest known incident of its kind involving Ukrainian prisoners on the front lines. He also highlighted that such acts of violence are part of a broader policy pursued by the Russian military and political leadership, rather than isolated incidents.

Ukrainian authorities are currently verifying the authenticity of the video. Investigative and search operations are underway to establish all the circumstances surrounding the crime. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is conducting the investigation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.