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full screen The video reportedly shows a Russian soldier shooting two Ukrainians who surrender. Photo: Ua Ground Forces
Ukraine accuses Russia of opening fire on prisoners of war.
The charges have been brought after a video allegedly shows Russian soldiers shooting two Ukrainian prisoners of war.
Another six are said to have been shot in occupied Avdijivka.
“Russia once again showed its stance against international humanitarian law by shooting two Ukrainian prisoners of war,” writes UA Ground forces on Telegram.
A blurry black-and-white video taken by a drone shows two Ukrainian prisoners of war running towards a Russian soldier in a trench. The soldier grabs the POWs and fires several shots at the Ukrainians until they stop moving.
According to Ukrainian Pravda, the prisoners should have shot dead.
“During the morning, in the area belonging to the Khortytsya air defense facility, Russia once again showed its attitude against International Humanitarian Law by shooting two Ukrainian prisoners of war,” Ukrainian ground troops write on Telegram.
The video or location could not be verified by AFP, but has been received by Prosecutor’s Office in Donetsk which opened a preliminary investigation into war crimes.
Taken by Russia last month
According to Ukrainian media, the video was taken from the small village of Vesele, 20 kilometers northeast of Bakhmut. The village was taken by Russia in January, according to Russian Defense Ministry reports AFP according to the Moscow Times.
“As a result of successful actions of southern troops, Vesele in Donetsk has been liberated,” says the Russian Defense Ministry.
AFP has not independently confirmed the information.
Six prisoners are believed to have been shot in Avdijivka
At least six Ukrainian soldiers are also believed to have been captured and shot by Russian military in Avdijivka. According to the Ukrainian authorities, Reuters.
The soldiers are said to have been badly injured and were awaiting evacuation. Ukraine has not been able to confirm the reports of fatal shootings.
Russian forces took control of Avdijivka over the weekend. The battles are described as among the fiercest during the war.
UN: Both sides executed prisoners of war
The UN has previously accused both Russia and Ukraine of executing prisoners of war.
Last year in March, the UN published a report with information on executions, torture and the use of prisoners of war as human shields.
According to the report, it involved “up to 25” executions of Russian prisoners, as well as 15 Ukrainian prisoners on the Russian side.
The UN observers interviewed around 400 prisoners of war, which form the basis of the report.