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Russian forces execute Ukrainian POWs in Donetsk region

04.10.2024 21:30
Russian forces have executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the eastern Donetsk region, marking yet another war crime in the ongoing conflict, according to media reports this week.
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According to the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office, Russian soldiers executed 16 Ukrainian POWs near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar in the Pokrovsk district, some 60 kilometres north-west of the city of Donetsk.

This incident is believed to be the largest mass execution of Ukrainian POWs on the front lines of the war and constitutes yet another reported case of a war crime perpetrated by Russian soldiers.

The footage shared on social media allegedly shows captured Ukrainian soldiers being led out of a forested area.

As they stood in a line, the Russians opened fire.

The video reportedly shows that those who were wounded and still showed signs of life were then killed at close range with automatic weapons.

The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General, Andriy Kostin, condemned the killings, calling them a blatant violation of the Geneva Conventions, which govern the treatment of prisoners of war.

He stated that these actions are part of a broader pattern of intentional killing and torture of POWs by the Russian military leadership.

An investigation has been launched by the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder.

Ukrainian officials said that this massacre is the largest known execution of POWs at the front lines, further underscoring the ongoing brutality of Russian forces.

The Geneva Conventions is a set of long-established international treaties and protocols which set out legal standards for humane treatment of prisoners of war.

Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea on February 24, 2022, starting the largest military conflict in Europe since World War II.

Friday is day 955 of Russia's war on Ukraine.

(rt/gs)

Source: polskieradio.pl