Category
Latest news

UN Reports Increase in Executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russian Forces

1 min read
Authors
UN Reports Increase in Executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russian Forces
A graffiti in Odesa depicts a Ukrainian soldier executed by Russian forces, standing against a Ukrainian flag with the phrase “Heroiam Slava!” (“Glory to Heroes!”). (Source: Getty Images)

The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed a rising number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces. At least 79 cases have been documented since late August 2024, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha on February 3.

“This could be one of the largest campaigns of intentional POW murder in modern history,” Sybiha stated. He emphasized that these actions require urgent international attention and response.

Earlier, Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence reported intercepting a communication in which a Russian military commander ordered the execution of a captured Ukrainian soldier. The conversation, involving the 60th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade of Russia’s 5th Army, contained a directive to “personally deal with” and “neutralize” the prisoner.

Additionally, a captured Russian soldier revealed that troops had been instructed not to surrender and to execute Ukrainian POWs.

According to Ukraine’s State Border Guard Service, the 51-year-old Russian POW admitted to receiving such orders before deployment. In 2024, Ukrainian officials documented at least 109 executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces, with a confirmed case near Pokrovsk in November.

See all