Russian soldiers kill two people in Ukraine's Sumy region while trying to evacuate
Illustrative photo: Russian troops commit another war crime in Sumy region (Getty Images)
On Tuesday, January 27, in the area of the village of Hrabovske in the Sumy region, Russia committed another war crime. Russian servicemen killed two civilians with drones while they were attempting to evacuate, according to a statement from the Joint Forces Group.
A man and a woman were attempting to evacuate on their own from occupied territory. Ukrainian forces were aware of their route and coordinated the evacuation.
"Russian FPV drone operators deliberately and intentionally targeted unarmed civilians. The first strike hit the woman, resulting in her immediate death. The second strike targeted the wounded man, who was next to her body," the statement reads.
Footage recorded by the Defense Forces shows no military targets or personnel in the area of impact and confirms that the victims were clearly civilians.
"This incident is not isolated. The systematic use of FPV drones and other weapons against civilians attempting to leave occupied territories has become part of Russian tactics in the Sumy direction in 2025–2026," the post adds.
The Russian forces commit such crimes to intimidate and forcibly retain civilians in occupied areas, as well as to create a humanitarian catastrophe.
The Defense Forces recently captured a Russian serviceman involved in the shooting of Ukrainian prisoners in October last year in Russia’s Kursk region.
In addition, Ukrainian intelligence intercepted communications among Russian invaders containing orders to kill Ukrainian prisoners. The recording was made in the Pokrovsk area, where one of Russia’s airborne units operates.
Previously, the Defense Intelligence (HUR) released intercepts showing that Russian troops are forced to follow orders under the threat of punishment. In particular, Russians are compelled to take up combat positions even in situations where their lives are at real risk.
