Russian forces execute five Ukrainian soldiers in Pokrovsk direction
Illustrative photo (Getty Images)
Russian military executed five captured servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the Pokrovsk direction. Ukraine has launched an investigation into the war crime involving premeditated murder, according to the Office of the Prosecutor General.
According to preliminary data, in November 2024, Russian troops launched an assault on the positions of Ukraine's Defense Forces near the village of Petrivka in the Pokrovsk district. As a result of the attack, five Ukrainian defenders were forced to retreat and take shelter in a private house.
After surrounding the building, Russian forces captured the Ukrainian soldiers, forcing them to leave the shelter unarmed and lie on the ground. However, in a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, the Russian soldiers executed the prisoners with automatic weapons.
Investigative actions are currently underway to establish the circumstances of the crime and identify those responsible.
The execution of prisoners of war is a grave violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, qualifying as a serious war crime. Ukrainian law enforcement is working to hold the perpetrators accountable.
Earlier reports indicated that Russian troops executed five Ukrainian prisoners of war near Vuhledar.
Additionally, in the Pokrovsk direction, the Russian military executed two Ukrainian soldiers. They were taken prisoner and later executed.
At the beginning of November, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets also reported that Russian forces had likely executed two Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia's Kursk region.
