Ukraine identifies POW beheaded by Russian troops

Ukraine’s law enforcers have identified the Ukrainian soldier who was beheaded by Russian invaders after being captured.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin announced this on his Facebook page, Ukrinform reports.

"As for the investigation of the brutal murder of the Ukrainian defender in Donetsk region, which was reported yesterday, the fallen serviceman has been identified. At the moment, we cannot name him pending procedures for the final confirmation," the top prosecutor wrote.

Ukrainian law enforcers have also identified Russian commanders potentially responsible for the beheading of the Ukrainian soldier, the Prosecutor General informed.

Kostin emphasized that the brutal murder of a Ukrainian prisoner of war is another confirmation that complete disregard for international law and universal morality is part of Russia's state policy.

"Every world leader who shakes Putin’s hand should realize that they shake hands with someone who tolerates barbaric murders," he said.

As reported, the day before Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said that, according to available information, Russian commanders gave orders not to capture Ukrainian servicemen, but instead to kill them with inhuman cruelty – through decapitation. One such case was confirmed in Donetsk region.

In April, the head of the Department for Combating Crimes Committed in the Armed Conflict, Yuriy Belousov, said the Prosecutor General's Office is probing 27 cases of the execution of 54 Ukrainian prisoners of war.