Russians execute 110 Ukrainian POWs, says Prosecutor General’s Office

The Russians have executed over 110 Ukrainian POWs since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, reported the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Ukrinform writes.

Currently, law enforcement is investigating 28 criminal cases involving the killings of 62 Ukrainian fighters. “The cases mentioned focus specifically on executions during surrender into captivity. Therefore, there are 62 instances involved. However, in total, more than 110 military personnel have been executed after surrendering into places of confinement, including the infamous Olenivka,” said Yurii Bielousov, head of the War Crimes Department at the Office of the Prosecutor General, in response to a journalist’s question.

Bielousov noted that investigating these crimes is challenging due to the lack of access to the territory and sometimes to the bodies of the deceased. “But there are various technologies that allow us to document what happened to the fullest extent, even without direct access,” he added.

One of the most cynical incidents was the killing of Oleksandr Matsievskyi, a Ukrainian defender who shouted “Glory to Ukraine!” a second before his death, said the journalist. “Work is ongoing, and while the case is complex, we are making progress by gradually narrowing down the circle of those responsible. We believe there is a prospect,” said Bielousov.

The International Criminal Court, together with Ukrainian investigators, is actively working on the investigation of torture and brutal treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russian captivity.

“Another area gaining momentum is torture and cruel treatment in places of confinement. We are collaborating with the ICC, so I hope there will be results. I don’t know exactly when, but this issue is definitely in the focus of the ICC’s attention. Why? Because torture in places of confinement has become so systemic that it clearly indicates it is an integral part of the policy of the Russian Federation,” said Bielousov.

On June 24, judges of the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Russian Security Council Secretary Sergey Shoigu and Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov for crimes against humanity and other inhuman acts committed by the Russian army in Ukraine.