Russians release alleged video of Ukrainian POW execution – Ombudsman Lubinets

Dmytro Lubinets, the Human Rights Commissioner of Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada, reported that a video allegedly depicting the execution of at least five unarmed Ukrainian service members by Russian captors is circulating on social media.

Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that on Telegram.

"Once again, we see cynical disregard for international humanitarian law on the part of the Russian army. Those who give orders and carry out such atrocities must bear strict responsibility," Lubinets emphasized.

The Ombudsman sent letters to the UN and the ICRC so that the war crime would be recorded.

If you have witnessed or possess any information about this crime against Ukrainian service members, the Ombudsman urges you to report it immediately by calling the hotline at 0800 50 17 20.

It should be noted that as of November 2024, law enforcement officers were investigating 53 criminal proceedings into the shooting of 177 servicemen. In October-November alone, 13 such proceedings were registered against 54 soldiers.

Last year, the number of criminal proceedings opened into the killings of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russians increased by more than 4 times, compared to 2022 and 2023.

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During the invasion of Ukraine, the Russians massively executed Ukrainian prisoners of war, which is a gross violation of international humanitarian law. According to the Commissioner for Human Rights Dmitry Lubinets, in 2024, 109 such cases were recorded out of 177 confirmed in three years.

In particular, at the end of February, soldiers of the Russian Federation probably shot Ukrainian soldiers who were taken prisoner in the Kursk region. A corresponding video appeared on the network.

Also, in early February, it became known that the Russian occupiers could have beheaded a Ukrainian soldier. According to preliminary data, Ukraine has established the deceased's identity.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has recorded 79 cases of executions of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russians in 24 incidents since the end of August last year.

It is noted that the Mission representatives analyzed video and photo materials published by Ukrainian and Russian sources, which recorded executions or bodies of the dead in 24 separate incidents, and also conducted detailed interviews with witnesses.

In addition, as the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets said, Ukraine is already aware of over a hundred cases of executions by Russian military personnel of Defense Forces fighters who surrendered to captivity.