The European Union strongly condemns of the increasing executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces, characterizing these killings as “grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions” and a demonstration of Russia’s “continued and systematic disregard for international law.”
Since the beginning of 2024, Russian forces have escalated the execution of Ukrainian POWs, with incidents such as mass killings of unarmed soldiers in Donetsk and Kursk oblasts. Meanwhile, Russian military bloggers and Kremlin-affiliated channels have glorified these executions, portraying them as justified warfare and encouraging further brutality.
Ukrainian POWs in Russian prisons are subjected to severe abuse and torture, with 95% of them experiencing beatings with metal rods, electric shocks, starvation, and severe psychological abuse. Both men and women face sexual violence in captivity, exacerbating the trauma they experience.
The EU also criticized the lack of access to the outside world for prisoners and the denial of humanitarian access for independent monitors. At least 177 Ukrainian POWs have died in Russian captivity since the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, the EU noted that some Russian public figures have publicly called for and glorified the execution of Ukrainian POWs, which the EU sees as revealing “the real nature of the regime in the Kremlin.”
The EU reiterated its commitment to holding accountable all perpetrators and accomplices of Russian war crimes against Ukraine.
On 10 October, Ukrainian drone operators captured footage of Russian forces disarming, lining up, stripping, and shooting nine Ukrainian POWs in Kursk Oblast.
Just days earlier, on 1 October, 16 POWs were reportedly executed by Russian forces in Donetsk oblast following their surrender.
These acts are considered a serious violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of POWs.
In response to the mistreatment of Ukrainian POWs, Ukraine has implemented restrictions on phone call privileges for Russian POWs in its custody. While Russian prisoners can still send letters home, this policy change aims to address the situation of Ukrainian POWs in Russian captivity.
Related:
- ISW: Russian milbloggers glorify execution of Ukrainian POWs, frame them as acceptable warfare
- Surge in executions of Ukrainian POWs potentially link to changed Russian policy
- Russian soldiers execute 3 surrendering Ukrainians, reports Azov Brigade
- Ukraine probes execution of 16 POWs by Russian troops in Pokrovsk sector
- Ukraine restricts Russian POWs’ phone privileges in response to executions of Ukrainians
- Ukraine probes execution of POWs by Russian forces near Robotyne
