Ukraine Investigates Execution of 268 POWs by Russian Forces

Ukrainian authorities are investigating the execution of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces, according to Yurii Bielousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in Armed Conflict under the Prosecutor General's Office.

Bielousov stated that 208 of the POWs were executed on the battlefield, while 59 were killed in the Olenivka prison facility . He noted that the number of executions carried out directly on the battlefield is rising each year.

“In 2023, 11 POWs were executed on the battlefield. In 2024, that number has already reached 149. So far this year, 51 POWs have been executed,” he reported.

Ukrainian courts have already issued three convictions related to the execution of POWs. Several Russian soldiers currently in Ukrainian custody are believed to be involved in these crimes.

This year, Ukrainian Special Operations Forces captured a group of Russian troops who executed members of Ukraine’s Territorial Defense Forces. Investigations into additional incidents are ongoing.

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War in Ukraine

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One separate and high-priority investigation concerns the killings of Ukrainian POWs at the Olenivka facility.

“Charges have been filed against the prison’s director and deputy for failing to provide medical assistance after an explosion, resulting in the deaths of nine prisoners. The investigation into the cause of the explosion is still underway,” Bielousov added.

Last year, Sweden allocated €2.4 million to support Ukraine’s investigation of war crimes committed by Russian forces. The funding will help modernize Ukraine’s digital justice infrastructure, enabling more efficient prosecution of war crimes.

Previously, Russian troops have executed three Ukrainian prisoners of war near the village of Novopil in Ukraine’s Donetsk region. The shooting happened in the village of Novopil, Volnovakha district, according to a statement from the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office on May 3.

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