UN monitors report “alarming rise” in Russian executions of Ukrainian POWs
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission has documented an “alarming rise” in the execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian armed forces, Reuters reports.
According to the mission’s statement, 79 executions have been recorded across 24 separate incidents since the end of August 2023. The monitoring body reports that many Ukrainian soldiers were shot dead immediately after surrendering or while in Russian custody, with witness accounts describing the killing of unarmed and injured soldiers.
The executions, which constitute war crimes under international humanitarian law, took place in areas where Russian offensive operations were ongoing.
Danielle Bell, head of the mission, said that some Russian officials “have explicitly called for inhumane treatment, and even execution” of captured Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded to the findings on X, stating that “Russia’s horrific executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war demonstrate that Ukraine confronts true beasts.” He called for “new and effective international legal tools, and concrete steps to hold the perpetrators accountable.“
Russia’s horrific executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war demonstrate that Ukraine confronts true beasts.
The world must not only condemn, but also take urgent action.
We need new and effective international legal tools, and concrete steps to hold the perpetrators accountable.— Andrii Sybiha 
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