Russia Ukraine Monitoring Desk
ISLAMABAD: 03 Oct 2024 – Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General’s Office has reported that on October 1, 2024, Russian troops allegedly executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war along the Pokrovsk axis in the Donetsk region, marking the largest known case of a mass killing since the full-scale invasion began. A video shared on social media is a brutal act that caused a stir in society. This is another indication of Russia’s gross violation of international humanitarian law.
Ukrainian POW servicemen on the video were forced to leave the forest and stand in a line under the control of Russian troops. Then, the Russian military intentionally shot them. Those wounded, who still showed signs of life, were shot at point-blank range.
Telegram channels on Oct.1 published drone footage of what appeared to be the alleged execution of 16 Ukrainian servicemen by members of the Russian Armed Forces.
“According to media reports, the latest war crime by the Russian occupying army took place near the villages of Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar in the Pokrovsk district,” the Prosecutor-General’s Office said.
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This crime was the most massive known case of mass execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the front line. Such murders and torture are not an accident, but a purposeful policy of Russia.
Law enforcement bodies have launched an investigation into this latest alleged war crime committed by the Russian army. Appeals have been sent to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) with the requirement to punish the perpetrators and pay attention to the gross violations of international humanitarian law.
Ukrainian side has emphasized, the international community must realize that this is not an isolated case, but permanent acts. Russia has repeatedly demonstrated disregard for international norms of humane treatment of prisoners of war.
In addition to the execution near Pokrovsk, there have been other similar cases. For example, earlier the Russians brutally executed an unarmed Ukrainian POW with a sword, and also shot prisoners in Robotyne near Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian officials are of the opinion that , while Russia systematically violates all norms of the Geneva Convention, denying ICRC representatives access to Ukrainian prisoners, Ukraine acts differently. The Ukrainian side provides Russian prisoners of war with proper conditions of detention, including food, medical care and the opportunity to communicate with relatives.
These conditions are regularly checked by the International Committee of the Red Cross, which confirms that the treatment of prisoners complies with international standards. Such measures demonstrate Ukraine’s commitment to the humanitarian principles and respect for human rights.
In contrast, the conditions of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia are inhumane. Prisoners live in unsanitary conditions and extremely crowded cells, and are subjected to torture and ill-treatment.
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There have been numerous cases of death in captivity from torture and disease, which only confirms Russia’s systematic violation of international law. The treatment of Ukrainian prisoners not only contradicts the Geneva Convention, but is also an example of barbaric treatment of a person deprived of protection.
Human rights observers have noted that such actions cannot go unpunished. We need a tough response from the international community to violations of international humanitarian law committed by Russia. There is a need to increase pressure on Russia to comply with the Geneva Convention and other norms protecting the rights of prisoners of war. The UN and the ICRC must take an active role in investigating these crimes and bringing those responsible to justice.
At the same time, the international community should support Ukraine’s initiative to adopt a resolution in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) aimed at ensuring compliance with international humanitarian law in relation to Ukrainian prisoners of war captured by Russia. This is an important measure to make the aggressor to comply with the laws of war and punish those responsible for the committed crimes.
Silence in response to such brutal acts amounts to complicity. The international community must not allow such crimes to go unpunished. The systematic executions and torture of Ukrainian prisoners of war are not only a crime against specific individuals, but also a flagrant violation of all civilized norms and principles which should guide each country in the 21st century.
(Editor’s Note: If Russian side intends to share their point of view on the topic, they can share with us for publication)
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