Russia executed at least 268 Ukrainian POWs, says ombudsman
Photo: Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets (Getty Images)
As of July 2025, there were at least 268 cases of the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russians. It is already clear that the killing of unarmed Ukrainian soldiers by the Russians is not an isolated accident but a deliberate Russian tactic, believes Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets, citing Ukrinform.
"According to our data, investigations are currently underway into the execution of 268 Ukrainian POWs by Russian soldiers. We've seen a sharp increase in this number over the past year," Lubinets said.
Such actions cannot take place without systematic approval from the highest military leadership. Russian generals and officials are behind the killings of Ukrainian prisoners.
"We understand that this treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war is sanctioned from the very top. Unfortunately, this is the reality we're witnessing," Lubinets summarized.
Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war
Russians are constantly executing Ukrainian soldiers who have been captured. One of the most recent cases was the execution on May 23, when it became known that the Russians had shot two Ukrainian prisoners near Pokrovsk. Also on July 1, it became known about another execution of a prisoner - the Russians tied him to a motorcycle and dragged him along the road.
A few days before the execution, on May 23, CNN published evidence that the Russian command ordered its subordinates to kill Ukrainian defenders who surrendered. In early June, this information was confirmed by Ukraine's Defense Intelligence.
