Damaged military equipment near the village of Dmytrivka, Ukraine. UN Human Rights Mission Reports ‘Sharp Increase’ in Executions of Ukrainian POWs Peace and Security
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has expressed alarm at a sharp increase in reports of executions of Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian forces. Since late August 2024, the Mission has recorded 79 such executions in 24 separate incidents. The Mission also documented the execution by Ukrainian forces of a wounded and incapacitated Russian soldier in 2024.
According to the Mission, many Ukrainian servicemen who surrendered or were in physical captivity of the Russian armed forces were shot dead on the spot. Witnesses also reported killings of unarmed and wounded Ukrainian soldiers.
The Mission analyzed video and photographic materials published by Ukrainian and Russian sources showing executions or bodies of executed people, and conducted detailed interviews with witnesses. The geolocation of the incidents indicates that the executions took place in areas where Russian offensive operations were underway.
“These incidents did not occur out of nowhere,” said Daniel Bell, Head of the Mission. “Certain public figures in the Russian Federation openly called for inhumane treatment and even executions of captured Ukrainian servicemen. Such statements may incite or encourage unlawful conduct.”
In 2024, the Mission recorded at least three such statements by Russian government officials, as well as a number of social media posts by military groups associated with the Russian armed forces.
International humanitarian law prohibits giving orders that no prisoners are to be taken, as well as threatening the enemy with such measures, or conducting hostilities based on such a principle, the Mission said in a statement.
“All reports of executions of captured Ukrainian servicemen, and public statements calling for or condoning such actions, must be investigated,” Daniel Bell said. – Clear and unambiguous orders should be given to military and civilian officials on the need to protect and treat all captured military personnel and other persons in wartime conditions with humanity.”
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine was established in 2014. It currently operates at the invitation of the Government of Ukraine, monitoring, reporting and advocating on the human rights situation. Since 24 February 2022, when the armed invasion by the Russian Federation began, the Monitoring Mission has been closely monitoring the impact of ongoing developments on the enjoyment of human rights throughout the country.