Ukraine has announced plans to formally report to the United Nations (UN) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) following the emergence of a video purportedly showing Russian forces executing a wounded, unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war (POW).
The Video, which began circulating online on November 9, appears to show a Ukrainian soldier from the Sumy region being interrogated by Russian soldiers before being shot at close range. The incident has sparked outrage in Ukraine, with officials condemning it as a violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, confirmed the government’s intent to lodge a formal complaint with international bodies, calling the act a “gross violation” of international laws governing the treatment of prisoners. In a statement on Telegram, Lubinets noted that “the Russians shot an apparently wounded, unarmed Ukrainian soldier,” describing the act as one of “cynicism and cruelty” by Russian forces.
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine has opened a criminal investigation into the incident as a suspected war crime. This investigation falls under a broader initiative examining alleged war crimes against Ukrainian POWs.
According to Ukrainian authorities, 124 Ukrainian POWs have reportedly been executed by Russian forces since the full-scale invasion began. There are currently 49 ongoing investigations into such incidents, with Ukrainian prosecutors working to identify patterns and gather evidence against Russian military personnel potentially involved in directing or tolerating these acts.
Ukrainian officials have expressed frustration with the lack of international action to condemn and address these incidents. Lubinets specifically voiced concern over the absence of public statements or responses from international bodies, citing the need for stronger accountability mechanisms in cases involving alleged war crimes against POWs.
The Ukrainian government’s formal complaint will call for a robust international investigation into this incident and similar cases, seeking adherence to international humanitarian protections and accountability for violations.