Russia accused of executing Ukrainian POW near Pokrovsk, prosecutors launch investigation
Illustrative photo: Russian forces shot a captured Ukrainian soldier in the Pokrovsk direction (Getty Images)
Russian forces killed a Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemember they had taken prisoner in the Pokrovsk direction. The prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation, according to the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
The incident took place in November 2025.
According to the agency, during an assault on positions near the village of Hnativka in the Pokrovsk district, Russian forces surrounded and captured a Ukrainian servicemember.
One of the Russian troops tied his hands, while another beat him. When the unarmed defender stopped responding, they killed him.
The prosecutor’s office emphasized that intentionally killing prisoners of war is a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions and is classified as a serious international crime.
Prosecutors have now launched a pre-trial investigation under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine — a war crime that resulted in a person’s death.
Urgent investigative actions are underway to establish all circumstances of the incident and identify the individuals responsible.
Other Russian war crimes
Russian occupiers continue to systematically commit war crimes in Ukraine.
On November 19, in the Pokrovsk district of Donetsk region, occupiers killed five Ukrainian prisoners of war near the settlement of Kotlyne.
When the Ukrainian defenders were disarmed and lying face down, one of the occupiers opened fire and killed them.
There are also reports of Ukrainian soldiers being killed in captivity in the Zaporizhzhia region. On November 15, near the outskirts of Zatyshshia, Russian troops killed two Ukrainian servicemembers.
On November 16, in the Hulyaipole direction of Zaporizhzhia region, Russian forces committed another war crime against Ukrainian servicemembers.
On November 14, occupiers killed three captured Ukrainian fighters.
