Russian soldiers executed three surrendering Ukrainian servicemen in Donetsk Oblast, according to the Azov Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Drone footage released as evidence shows three individuals with green armbands emerging from a basement, lying down, and being shot.
This marks the second video in a week depicting the mass execution of Ukrainian POWs. If confirmed, it constitutes another Russian war crime.
The incident reportedly occurred near the town of New York, close to the city of Donetsk, which Russian forces captured in August. The exact date remains unknown.
Russian soldiers allegedly executed 3 surrendering Ukrainian servicemen in Donetsk Oblast - a war crime - reported by Azov Brigade.
Drone footage shows POWs shot. 2nd such video this week. Incident near Russian-held New York town. Date unknown. pic.twitter.com/YbDmmlwjld
— Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) October 6, 2024
Azov reported that fighters from the 12th Special Purpose Brigade Azov and the 49th Separate Assault Battalion later captured and interrogated one member of the Russian group responsible for the executions.
An interview with a captured Russian soldier, posted on the brigade's YouTube channel, discusses the widespread practice of executing Ukrainian POWs within the Russian army.
Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has contacted the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross, urging them to record this as a violation of the Geneva Convention on POW treatment.
"Such actions are unacceptable and violate human rights. The behavior of Russian soldiers is encouraged by their high command. We must document and investigate every crime and ensure appropriate punishment!" Lubinets wrote on Telegram.
On 3 September, the Donetsk regional prosecutor's office initiated an investigation following a video showing the execution of three Ukrainian soldiers near New York. It's unclear if this relates to the same incident reported by Azov.
On 1 October, the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine reported that Russian forces executed 16 surrendered Ukrainian servicemen near Pokrovsk in Donetsk Oblast, marking the largest known case of Ukrainian soldier executions at the front line.
Read more:
- Russia kills 177 Ukrainian POWs in captivity
- Russians reportedly execute 16 Ukrainian POWs from two units in Donbas
- Ukraine probes execution of 16 POWs by Russian troops in Pokrovsk sector
