Ukraine War: Russia Executed Hundreds of Ukrainian PoWs Since 202 2026

The Ukraine war has taken a grim turn as Kyiv accuses Russian forces of executing hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war (PoWs) since 2022 under a deliberate policy. A Ukrainian intelligence official told Agence France-Presse they have tracked more than 900 military personnel killed in over 340 separate incidents, though the exact number of victims remains unknown.

Alleged Systematic Executions by Russian Forces

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the official estimated that the documented cases may represent only 25% to 40% of the total. 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 organization sounding the alarm last year over a marked increase in such cases.

Kyiv’s Investigations and International Response

Andriy Atamantchuk from the Ukrainian prosecutor general’s office confirmed that 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.

Escalation in the Sea of Azov

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 to limit Russia’s petrol supplies to Moscow-controlled Crimea.

Strikes on Russian Oil Refineries

Ukraine’s military also struck two Russian oil refineries in the Bashkortostan and Krasnodar regions, causing fires at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat complex and the Afipsky oil refinery. Russian authorities confirmed a fire at the Afipsky refinery in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, and at Salavat in the Urals region of Bashkortostan. Sevastopol, one of the largest cities in Crimea, remains under heightened alert.

Comparison of Reported PoW Executions

Key Takeaways

• Ukraine accuses Russia of executing over 900 PoWs since 2022.
• UN report verified 129 executions, with a marked increase in cases.
• Kyiv has opened 116 investigations into the killings of 306 servicemen.
• Ukraine struck 116 vessels in the Sea of Azov over nine days.
• Two Russian oil refineries were hit, causing significant fires.

FAQ