The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has launched an investigation into another alleged case of Russian abuse and execution of a Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW). On September 16, graphic images circulated on social media showing the body of a Ukrainian servicemember who appeared to have been executed by Russian forces using a sword inscribed with “for Kursk.” The images were geolocated by social media users to Novohrodivka in Donetsk Oblast.
Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov recently confirmed that Russian forces, specifically elements from the 30th Motorized Rifle Brigade and the 1435th Motorized Rifle Regiment, seized Novohrodivka in early September, potentially linking these units to the execution. The footage shows the Ukrainian soldier disarmed, without protective gear, and with remnants of duct tape on his wrists, suggesting he had been captured, disarmed, and forcibly detained by Russian forces.
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The Geneva Convention on POWs strictly prohibits the mutilation, cruel treatment, torture, and execution of prisoners of war. The circumstances surrounding this execution, particularly the use of a sword inscribed with language implying retaliation for Ukraine’s actions during the Kursk operation, point to clear violations of these protections.
This latest incident aligns with previous reports from the United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine (HRMMU), which in March 2024 documented widespread abuse and executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russian forces. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office announced it is investigating the case as a violation of the laws and customs of war and intentional murder. Additionally, Ukrainian law enforcement is probing 84 other cases of potential Russian executions of Ukrainian POWs.
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The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has previously reported multiple incidents of Russian executions of Ukrainian POWs, including in August, July, June, and May 2024, as well as several instances in February 2024. ISW has consistently assessed that Russian commanders are either complicit in or enabling such atrocities, in clear violation of international law.
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