Russia has been accused of murdering Ukrainian captives, with 77 criminal cases launched in connection with the killings of POWs. However, only two people have been convicted, and a trial against a third person is ongoing. The statement did not clarify whether the convictions were issued in absentia.
Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has documented over 150 cases of Ukrainian soldiers being executed after surrendering to Russian forces, with multiple intelligence reports suggesting that Russian soldiers received explicit orders to kill prisoners of war.
The United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine confirmed growing numbers of incidents where Russian forces killed or maimed surrendering Ukrainian troops.
A separate Ukrainian investigation is underway into the killing of around 50 Ukrainian POWs in the Russian-run Olenivka prison in 2022, which Kyiv blamed on Russia.
Russia denied responsibility, claiming the explosion was caused by a Ukrainian HIMARS strike – a version UN investigators have rejected.
