Russian forces have been systematically killing Ukrainian prisoners of war and civilians, as evidenced by numerous testimonies and investigations. According to Ukrainian ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets, more than 100 cases of Ukrainian soldiers being killed while in captivity have been documented. However, due to the challenges of verifying such incidents in a war zone, the actual number of victims may be significantly higher.
Ombudsman Lubinets has highlighted the lack of response from the international community to these crimes, despite the availability of evidence of Russia’s violations of the Geneva Conventions. The Geneva Conventions explicitly prohibit the killing of prisoners of war, but Russia continues to ignore international humanitarian law, leaving these crimes unpunished.
Bloody Incidents in Selydove: Cynical Violation of Prisoner Rights
One of the most glaring examples of gross violations of international law occurred on October 18 in the Selydove area, when Russian troops shot two unarmed Ukrainian soldiers, forcing them to lie on the ground before executing them. This incident is being investigated as a serious war crime under international law.
Another tragic event took place on October 6, when four National Guard soldiers were taken prisoner during the assault on Selydove. After Ukrainian forces retook the positions, the bodies of the prisoners were found. According to the ombudsman, evidence of these atrocities has been submitted to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, but no significant response from the international community has been observed so far.
Terror Against Civilians in Occupied Donetsk Region
Russian occupiers are not limiting their crimes to prisoners of war; civilian killings continue in the occupied territories of the Donetsk region. The Ukrainian General Prosecutor’s Office reported the killing of two women in Selydove, as well as the discovery of civilian bodies in areas where no active fighting had occurred. This suggests that these actions were deliberate and targeted.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances of these crimes and to identify the victims. Prosecutors are gathering evidence to ensure accountability for these violations of human rights, hoping to bring justice to the victims and their families.
Increased Pressure on the International Community: Calls for Action
Ukraine’s leadership continues to urge the international community to take stronger action in response to these repeated violations of human rights, hoping for new sanctions and other measures against Russia. Documenting these crimes and presenting the evidence to international organizations is an important step toward achieving justice and restoring peace in Ukraine. However, despite the severity of the situation, meaningful international support remains limited.
Also read: Ukraine’s NATO Membership: No Quick Decision, Even After Change in US Leadership where the geopolitical future of Ukraine and security challenges in light of Russian aggression are discussed.