The Ukraine war has taken a grim turn as Kyiv accuses Russia of executing hundreds of prisoners of war (PoWs) since 2022 under a deliberate policy. A Ukrainian intelligence official told Agence France-Presse that they have tracked more than 900 military personnel killed in over 340 incidents, though the exact number of victims remains unknown.
Allegations of Systematic Executions
Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official added that the tracked cases may represent only 25%-40% of such incidents. Under the Geneva conventions, soldiers are considered PoWs and afforded protection from the moment they issue a clear surrender. A UN report from June cited 129 verified executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war, with the organisation sounding the alarm last year over a marked increase in cases.
Andriy Atamantchuk from the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office said that to date Kyiv has opened 116 investigations into the killings of 306 Ukrainian servicemen since 2022. “This stems from a Russian policy that has effectively encouraged and enabled such crimes, with commanders then issuing orders to that effect,” he said. The accusations are rejected by Moscow, and Russian authorities did not reply to an AFP request for comment.
Military Strikes Escalate
Meanwhile, Russia’s transport ministry admitted it may have to divert cargo away from the Sea of Azov as Ukraine continues to pound Russian shipping there. The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces said on Tuesday that Ukraine had hit 116 vessels over the past nine days, including several tankers and cargo ships, in the Azov sea. The aim is to damage Russia’s shadow fleet and limit Russia’s petrol supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.
| Incident Type | Reported Numbers |
|---|---|
| PoW executions tracked by Ukraine | More than 900 |
| UN verified executions | 129 |
| Ukrainian investigations opened | 116 |
| Vessels hit in Azov Sea (9 days) | 116 |
Key Takeaways
- Ukraine accuses Russia of executing hundreds of PoWs since 2022.
- UN report confirms 129 verified executions, with numbers rising.
- Ukraine strikes over 100 Russian vessels in the Sea of Azov.
- Russian oil refineries hit in Bashkortostan and Krasnodar regions.
FAQ
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