Russian Soldiers Filmed Abusing Ukrainian POWs in Kharkiv Region, Violating Geneva Conventions

A video showing Russian soldiers humiliating Ukrainian prisoners of war is circulating on the Internet. The video revealed beatings, mockery, threats, and mock executions.

According to preliminary information, this happened in Kharkiv direction, where Russia is currently conducting offensive actions.

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Dmytro Lubinets reported that such treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is not an exception to the rules, but a common tactic for Russia.

Such actions are a violation of the Geneva Conventions, according to which prisoners of war have the right to humane treatment.

“This case should be recorded as another proof of violation of international humanitarian law by the Russian Federation! I sent official letters to the ICRC and the UN to document the abuse. This will be another addition to the evidence base for the future criminal tribunal,” Lubinets wrote. “The world must react to bring Russia to justice, otherwise the law of force will defeat the force of law!”

On Friday, May 31, Ukraine returned 75 Ukrainians, including 5 women, from Russian captivity. Among them is Mariana Checheliuk, an investigator in the National Police. Mariana’s mother said that her daughter experienced a lot of torture during the two years of illegal imprisonment: she was starved, beaten, and abused in every way. It was very difficult for Mariana to be in the Kremlin torture chambers, both mentally and physically.