Ombudsman accuses Russia of disregarding Geneva Conventions as evidence emerges of PoW executions
Executions of prisoners of war are a gross violation of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reiterated on Feb. 19.
Read also: Russian military executed three Ukrainian POWs from 82nd Air Assault Brigade, Air Force confirms
The Russians frequently signal readiness to take prisoners of war, but then execute unarmed Ukrainian soldiers, said the commissioner, commenting on reports of the killings of eight Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele, Donetsk Oblast.
"There are no laws and rules for Russia," Lubinets said.
“By shooting prisoners of war, the aggressor state grossly and cynically violates the norms of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.”
The Russians will face severe punishment for this grave international crime, the ombudsman said, appealing to the international community and noting that Russia respects no borders. It continues to move forward even after seizing certain territories.
Dmytro Lykhoviy, head of the public relations department of the Tavria troop grouping, said that the withdrawal of troops from Avdiivka was as successful as the circumstances allowed.
Read also: Battles for besieged Avdiivka ‘many times more hellish’ than Bakhmut, 3rd Assault Brigade says
The DeepState analytical portal reported on Feb. 18 that the Russian troops shot six captured Ukrainian soldiers at the Museum position (formerly the Zenit military unit) in Avdiivka, who remained there after the Ukrainian army retreated from the town. Four of them were wounded and could not get out of the encirclement along with the rest of the Ukrainian military.
Investigative outlet Slidstvo.info reported that the mother, wife, and sister of three Ukrainian soldiers out of six who were captured at the Zenit position identified their bodies in the video. Journalist Yuriy Butusov published a list of the names of the soldiers who remained at Zenit.
The Ground Forces reported on Feb. 18 that in the area of responsibility of the Khortytsia troop grouping, the Russian military shot two Ukrainian prisoners of war. Later, the Office of the Prosecutor General reported that an investigation had been launched. The second case occurred during a Russian assault in Vesele, Donetsk Oblast.
The commander of the Tavria troop grouping, Oleksandr Tarnavskyi, previously said that "a number" of Ukrainian soldiers were captured during the withdrawal from Avdiivka.
Read also: Some Ukrainian troops were captured during Avdiivka withdrawal
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