Russian Forces Executed Four Ukrainian POWs in Vovchansk, Prosecutor’s Office Reports

Russian forces, acting on orders from their command, executed four Ukrainian soldiers on the premises of an aggregate factory in Vovchansk in the summer of 2024. This information was reported by the Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office on October 5, citing an interview with the office’s head, Oleksandr Filchakov.

According to the prosecutor’s office, these facts were documented through cooperation with the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.

As part of the investigation, Ukrainian prosecutors have launched a pre-trial probe into the violation of the laws and customs of war, specifically relating to the intentional killing of four Ukrainian Armed Forces prisoners. The soldiers were reportedly executed by Russian troops on the grounds of the factory.

“This case presents a unique opportunity, as one of the individuals potentially involved in the crime is currently held in Ukrainian captivity,” Filchakov stated. This allows for a judicial process without the need for in absentia proceedings, potentially leading to a fair trial and an enforceable sentence. If found guilty, the suspect could face life imprisonment.