The UN Agency Reports An Increase In Execution Of Ukrainian Soldiers Arrested By Russia

The release of Ukrainian soldiers during Orthodox Easter. (Source: Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War)

JAKARTA - The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine on Monday revealed it recorded a "worry increase" in reports of the execution of Ukrainian soldiers arrested by the Russian armed forces during the war in recent months.

The mission in Ukraine said it had received reports of 79 executions in 24 separate incidents since late August last year.

It is known that international humanitarian law prohibits the execution of prisoners of war and those who are injured, considering it a war crime.

"Many Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered or were in the physical detention of the Russian armed forces were shot dead on the spot. Witnesses also described the killing of an unarmed and injured Ukrainian soldier," the mission said in a statement.

The UN agency obtained and analyzed video and photo material published by Ukrainian and Russian sources, which showed execution or corpse and conducted detailed interviews with witnesses.

It said the reported executions took place in areas where Russian offensive operations were taking place.

Danielle Bell, head of the mission, said several Russian officials "explicitly called for inhumane, and even execution" treatment of the captured Ukrainian army.

The mission said it also documented the execution of a Russian soldier who was injured and helpless by the Ukrainian armed forces by 2024, but gave no further details.

Commenting on the report, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Russia's atrocities demanded urgent international action.

"Russia's horrific execution of prisoners of war shows Ukraine is facing a true wild animal," he said on X.

"We need new and effective international legal instruments, as well as concrete steps to hold the perpetrators accountable," he continued.

Separately, the Russian Ministry of Defense did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Earlier, the Ukrainian prosecutor's office said it was investigating dozens of cases of the execution of Ukrainian military personnel by Russian forces.