Ukraine Investigates Ukrainian POW Execution Allegations Against Russia; Victims Reportedly Unarmed When Killed

Ukraine claims POW victims were unarmed when killed.

Ukraine is now investigating the allegations against Russia, claiming that Moscow executive some Ukrainian POWs even when they were unarmed.

This was revealed by the Strategic Communications Directorate of Ukraine's Armed Forces on Saturday, Dec. 2. The Ukrainian DeepState Telegram channel even posted a video showing the alarming war incident that happened.

Ukraine Investigates Ukranian POW Execution Allegations Against Russia; Victims Reportedly Unarmed When Killed
Ukrainian soldiers during the service, on February 23, 2023 near Salisbury, England Ahead of tomorrow's anniversary of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, hundreds of soldiers from the Armed Forces of Ukraine and their UK instructors come together. Finnbarr Webster/Getty Images

Ever since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, both of them have been accused of violating the Geneva Conventions.

The POW execution allegations against Russia are the latest humanitarian law-violating accusations that Moscow faces.

Ukrainian POW Execution Allegations Against Russia

According to BBC News' latest report, Russia is accused by Ukraine of killing two Ukrainian prisoners of war despite surrendering to Russian troops.

On the footage (can't be shown) published by Ukraine's DeepStateUA Telegram, some people wearing Russian uniforms were seen shooting at the surrendering Ukrainians.

The Kyiv Independent reported that one of these Ukrainian POWs had his hands behind his head before Russians mercilessly killed him.

Although the footage was a bit grainy, it still revealed important details about the alleged POW executions. DeepStateUA claimed that the Ukrainian POWs were killed near Stepove.

It added that this happened after Russian soldiers seized the positions of Ukraine's 45th Rifle Battalion. After that, the captured Ukrainian soldiers decided to surrender since they already run out of ammunition.

When the two Ukrainian fighters came out of a dugout, they were forced to face down on the ground. A few moments later, the Russian soldiers were seen opening fire on them, leading to their demise.

As of writing, news agencies haven't verified the footage's authenticity. Although it is still unclear if Russia really carried out the Ukrainian POW executions, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy still urged world leaders to respond to the incident.

Ukraine Investigates Alleged POW Executions

Ukraine Investigates Ukranian POW Execution Allegations Against Russia; Victims Reportedly Unarmed When Killed
Ukrainian medic "Doc" with the 28th Brigade runs through a partially dug trench along the frontline on March 05, 2023 outside of Bakhmut, Ukraine. The Ukrainian Army medic, an Odessa dentist in civilian life, said was a guitarist in band Uragan Metal for 13 years before he joined the Army. John Moore/Getty Images

The Donetsk Oblast Prosecutor's Office confirmed that it launched an investigation into the alleged rules and customs of war violation that Russia did by killing unarmed Ukrainian POWs.

The office argued that executing POWs is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention. It also constitutes a war crime.

"Russia has once again proved that it is a terrorist country for which there are no laws and norms of international law," said Ukraine's parliament speaker, Ruslan Stefanchuk.

Oleksandr Shtupun, a Ukrainian forces group (Tavria) spokesperson, claimed that the Russians who executed unarmed Ukrainian POWs were already killed in action.

Meanwhile, Russia already commented on the alarming footage, saying that what happened was "awful." However, Moscow added that the video's authenticity should still be checked to know who was really behind it.

Related Article: Ukraine's NATO Membership Being Finalized, But Recommendations for Kyiv's Needed Reforms Still Under Discussion

Tags
Ukraine, Russia
Real Time Analytics