Russia accused of executing Ukrainian POWs in mounting crisis

Russian forces have executed Ukrainian prisoners of war. This is not an isolated case, reports the American Institute for the Study of War. Russian commanders likely allow, encourage, or directly order the executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, the think tank states.

Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have noted an increase in the number of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, which seem to have the approval of Russian commanders who are also encouraging such practices.

"ISW continues to monitor video recordings and reports of executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers. We observe a broader trend of Russian abuses towards Ukrainian prisoners of war across the front, which appear to be tolerated, if not completely accepted, by individual Russian commanders," according to the published report.

Ukrainians have evidence of at least 93 executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Eighty percent of the recorded cases took place in 2024, ISW reports.

The Washington-based think tank also points out the glorification of killing prisoners by Russian military bloggers, who "serve as authorities in establishing and reinforcing accepted cultural norms within the Russian ultranationalist community." ISW also emphasizes that these bloggers have strong ties with the Kremlin and their actions are aimed at "encouraging the systematic execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war."

ISW raised the issue of increasing executions in light of the latest example of Ukrainian prisoners being executed, which analysts from Deepstate reported on Sunday.

The Russians executed nine Ukrainian prisoners in the Kursk Oblast, as reported by analysts from Deepstate, citing sources within the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Analysts explained that a group of Ukrainians encountered Russian forces while returning to their positions and surrendered due to a lack of ammunition.

The Ukrainian ombudsman wrote on Telegram that "such actions constitute a blatant violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War" and has sent letters to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross about another Russian war crime.

"Russia is a terrorist country that violates all rules and customs of war. The international community should not turn a blind eye to such crimes," appealed Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian ombudsman, on social media.

The Ukrainian prosecutor's office also announced that it has investigated this matter.