Ukrainian POWs ‘being systematically executed’ by Russia, says high commander | EUROtoday

Prisoners of battle are being systematically executed by Russian forces, based on one among Ukraine’s most embellished troopers.

Major Oleh Shyriaiev, who was awarded the highest nationwide ornament of Hero of Ukraine for his management on the battlefield, advised The Times that he usually intercepts transmissions by which orders to kill surrendering troops are given by Russian navy leaders.

Combat observers say proof of alleged battle crimes by Russian troops has grown in latest months. Moscow has intensified its assaults on Ukraine at the same time as peace talks proceed between the US and European and Russian leaders.

Footage taken by Russian troopers or Ukrainian reconnaissance drones seems to point out servicemen being lined up and shot useless after they give up. One clip, filmed by a drone on 19 November close to Pokrovsk, allegedly reveals a soldier firing at 4 unarmed males with a machine gun as they lie face down, then he shoots at one other man trying to flee.

Claimed circumstances of beheadings are additionally being investigated by Ukrainian prosecutors, in addition to an alleged incident of a Ukrainian soldier together with his palms tied behind his again being killed with a sword.

Shyriaiev, who instructions the Ukrainian 225th Separate Assault Battalion, mentioned: “The number of executions is growing and this is happening in all directions of the front line. For Russians, there are no red lines … In the wiretaps and radio communication that we intercept, we routinely hear their military leadership giving orders to execute our servicemen who are trying to surrender. This practice has become a systematic one, I would say, in the last year and a half.

“They are demonstrating to the whole civilised world that they can do things with impunity. But also, they are showing that they do not respect the rules of warfare and any international conventions that have been signed by countries.”

Russian forces have executed not less than 147 Ukrainian prisoners of battle because the begin of the battle in 2022, with 147 happening this yr, based on the Ukrainian prosecution service, reflecting the commander’s observations.

Yuri Belousov, who leads the battle crimes division on the Ukrainian prosecutor common’s workplace, mentioned: “The upward trend is very clear, very obvious. Sadly, their number has been particularly on the rise this summer and autumn. This tells us that they are not isolated cases. They are happening across vast areas and they have clear signs of being part of a policy.”

The United Nations has additionally recorded an increase in alleged Russian battle crimes since mid-November, based on Danielle Bell, the pinnacle of the UN human rights monitoring mission in Ukraine.

Prisoners of battle are provided safety by worldwide humanitarian regulation, particularly the Third Geneva Convention, with execution being categorised as a battle crime.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has beforehand mentioned that Ukrainian prisoners of battle have “always” been handled “strictly in line with international legal documents and international conventions” by Russian forces.

The revelations come as US President Donald Trump hailed essential peace talks between the US and Ukraine as “terrific” however acknowledged “thorny issues” remained earlier than a deal might be achieved over the battle with Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travelled to Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Sunday, hoping to make progress on the proposed 20-point peace plan, with explicit considerations over safety and financial agreements.

The two leaders gave little away throughout a press convention following the discussions, however Mr Trump mentioned he believed “a lot of progress” had been made.