Russia executes 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the largest recorded incident of the war

Russian forces executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Pokrovske direction, marking the largest execution since the start of the war.

This was announced by the General Prosecutor's Office and the Human Rights Commissioner of the Ukrainian Parliament, Dmytro Lubinets, on Telegram.

The Prosecutor General's Office noted that on October 1, information appeared online about the possible execution of 16 Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces. According to unconfirmed reports, the war crime occurred near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhy Yar in Pokrovske District.

A released video shows captured soldiers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces coming out of a forest area under Russian control. As they lined up, the Russians deliberately opened fire and killed them. Survivors who showed signs of life were then shot at close range.

These actions violate the Geneva Conventions and are classified as serious international crimes.

“This is the largest known case of execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war at the front. It is further evidence that the killing and torture of prisoners is not an isolated case, but a deliberate policy of Russia's military and political leadership,” said prosecutor General Andrii Kostin.

An investigation was opened into violations of wartime laws and customs, including intentional killing.

Authorities are currently reviewing the video and conducting an investigation to determine the full circumstances of the crime.

In response, Lubinets stated that letters had been sent to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross regarding this Russian war crime.

“The systematic nature of crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war must be stopped and those responsible must be held accountable,” he added.

Unfortunately, the execution of Ukrainian prisoners by Russian troops is not uncommon. Recently, similarly brutal videos have appeared regularly online.