Russia is executing more and more Ukrainian prisoners of war

Ukrainian sniper Oleksandr Matsievsky was captured by the Russians in the first year of the full-scale invasion. Later, a video surfaced showing him smoking his last cigarette in the forest, apparently next to the grave he was forced to dig.

“glory to Ukraine!” he tells his captors. A few moments later a shot is fired and he dies.

His execution is one of many.

In October this year, nine Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces in the Kursk region were reportedly shot dead. Ukrainian prosecutor is investigating the matter Which also includes a picture in which semi-nude bodies are lying on the ground. The photo was enough for one of the victims, drone operator Ruslan Holubenko, to be identified by his parents.

“I recognized him by his underwear,” his worried mother told Local broadcaster Suspilne Chernihiv. “I bought it for him before the trip to the sea. I also knew that he was shot in the shoulder. You can see it in the picture.”

The list of executions goes on. Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating reports Of Behead And a sword A Ukrainian soldier is being used for execution with his hands tied behind his back.

In another example, a video It showed 16 Ukrainian soldiers apparently lined up and then killed by automatic gunfire after emerging from the woods to surrender.

Some executions were filmed by Russian forces themselves, while others were observed by Ukrainian drones hovering overhead.

Killings captured on such video typically occur in forests or fields that lack distinctive features, making it difficult to confirm their exact location. However, BBC Verify is able to confirm in many cases – like beheading someone – That the victims wear Ukrainian uniforms and that the videos are recent.

The Ukrainian prosecution service says at least 147 Ukrainian POWs have been executed by Russian forces since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, 127 of whom have been executed this year.

“The increasing trend is very clear,” says Yuri Belousov, head of the war department at the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office.

“Executions have become systematic since November last year and have continued throughout this year. Sadly, their number has been particularly increasing this summer and autumn. This tells us that these are not isolated cases. These are taking place over vast areas and are a clear indication of some policy being carried out – there is evidence that instructions are being issued to that effect.”

International humanitarian law – especially Third Geneva Convention – Provides protection to prisoners of war, and executing them is a war crime.

Despite this, Russia’s Chechnya leader Ramzan Kadyrov briefly said ordered his commanders Ukraine involved in war “to take no prisoners”.

Rachel Denbar, deputy director of the Europe and Central Asia division at Human Rights Watch, says there is no lack of evidence supporting allegations that Russian soldiers executed Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to him, impunity plays an important role and the Russian military has some serious questions to answer.

“What instructions do these units have from their commanders, formally or informally? Are their commanders clear about what the Geneva Conventions say about the treatment of prisoners of war? What instructions do Russian military commanders give to their units about their conduct? What steps are being taken? And if higher authorities are not investigating, or are they not taking steps to stop that conduct? know that they are also criminally liable And can they be held accountable?” she asks.

So far, there is no word that Russia is formally investigating claims that its forces are executing Ukrainian prisoners of war. Similar allegations are also mentioned punishable by long prison sentence In Russia.

According to Vladimir PutinRussian forces have “always” treated Ukrainian prisoners of war “in strict accordance with international legal documents and international conventions”.

ukrainian army has also been accused of executions of Russian prisoners of war, but the number of such claims has been very low.

Yuri Belousov says the Ukrainian prosecution service takes such allegations “very seriously” and is investigating them – but has not charged anyone yet.

According to Human Rights WatchRussian forces have “committed numerous violations, including those that should be investigated as war crimes or crimes against humanity” since the full-scale offensive began in February 2022.

The Russian military’s record of abuses is such that some Ukrainian soldiers prefer death to death.

Ruslan Holubenko’s mother says, “He told me: Mother, I will never surrender, never. Forgive me, I know you will cry, but I don’t want to be tortured.” Her son is still officially classified as missing in action, and she hopes against hope.

“I will do everything that is possible and impossible to get my child back. I keep looking at this picture. Maybe he is unconscious? I want to believe, I don’t want to think that he is gone.”