Russian Troops Execute Surrendering Ukrainian Soldiers in Eastern Ukraine, CNN Report

CNN has released exclusive drone footage shows Russian forces executing three Ukrainian soldiers who were surrendering near Pokrovsk, eastern Ukraine, in late August.

According to CNN, the footage reveals Ukrainian troops emerging onto a dusty track, hands on their heads in a clear gesture of surrender. Moments later, the video shows the soldiers lying motionless, face down, after being shot.

The footage was recorded during fierce fighting in the Pokrovsk area. CNN reports that the trench held by Ukrainian soldiers was overrun by Russian troops, leading to the apparent execution of the soldiers. The incident is part of what Ukrainian officials describe as a growing pattern of Russian war crimes, with reports of surrendering Ukrainian troops being killed on the front lines instead of being taken as prisoners.

Ukraine’s defense intelligence shared with CNN that there have been at least 15 similar incidents since November 2023, many of which were captured on drone footage or audio intercepts. These killings are being investigated as violations of the laws of war, which prohibit the execution of unarmed prisoners.

Ukraine’s Prosecutor General, Andriy Kostin, told CNN that his office is investigating 28 cases of such executions since the start of the war, with a total of 62 Ukrainian soldiers allegedly killed under similar circumstances. Kostin emphasized that these incidents could be elevated to crimes against humanity, suggesting an orchestrated policy directed by the Kremlin.