Russian executions of POWs: Ukraine launches investigations
Ukrainian military intelligence, known as HUR, has revealed that the Russians have executed more than 150 captured Ukrainian soldiers. This is considered part of Moscow's deliberate policy, as emphasized in the report.
What do you need to know?
- HUR has reported the execution of more than 150 Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russians, as part of Moscow's intentional policy.
- The Independent International Commission of Inquiry of the UN confirmed an increase in cases where Russian forces deliberately killed Ukrainian prisoners.
- The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine has launched 75 criminal investigations into the executions of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Ukrainian military intelligence HUR has recorded more than 150 cases of executions of Ukrainian soldiers captured by the Russians.
"The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine has recorded more than 150 cases of executions of Ukrainian defenders who were captured by the Russians. (...) These crimes are not isolated cases, but a component of a deliberate policy on the part of the leadership of the aggressor state - Russia," the HUR statement emphasized.
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry of the UN on the situation in Ukraine indicated in a report on March 19, 2025, an increase in cases where Russian forces deliberately killed or injured Ukrainian soldiers surrendering to captivity.
"Several Russian deserters confirmed that they had received orders not to take prisoners, but to kill them. One deserter quoted a deputy brigade commander as saying, 'We don’t need prisoners, shoot them on the spot,'" stated the UN commission document.
What actions has Ukraine taken?
The General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine has launched 75 criminal investigations into suspected executions of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war. This number increases each year. As explained by the head of the department for countering war crimes in the General Prosecutor's Office of Ukraine, Yuriy Bielousov, the increase in cases can be attributed to "instructions being given by top leaders of the Russian Federation, both political and military."
