EU condemns Russia's executions of Ukrainian POWs

This condemnation came in a statement from EU High Representative Josep Borrell, as reported by Ukrinform.

According to reliable sources, at least 177 Ukrainian POWs have died in Russian captivity since the start of the full-scale invasion, with a significant increase in such incidents over the past month. Many Ukrainian servicemen who had surrendered were reportedly executed by Russian forces.

“The European Union strongly condemns these killings, which are another abhorrent example of Russia’s brutalization of the Ukrainian people. These cases are appalling and represent grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions. They demonstrate Russia’s continued and systematic disregard for international law, and in particular, international humanitarian law. Russia has clear obligations under the United Nations Charter and international law it must fulfill,” Borrell emphasized.

The statement further highlights that Russian public figures openly call for and glorify the executions of Ukrainian POWs, which “exposes yet again the real nature of the regime in the Kremlin.”

The UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) also confirmed Russia's systematic use of torture methods, including sexual violence, against Ukrainian prisoners of war.

“The EU also condemns the prisoners’ lack of access to the outside world and the denial of humanitarian access for independent monitors. The EU reiterates its firm commitment to holding to account all perpetrators and accomplices of Russian war crimes against Ukraine,” Borrell stated.

On October 1, 2024, reports surfaced on Telegram about the alleged execution of 16 Ukrainian servicemen by the Russian forces. Video footage shows Ukrainian servicemen, taken captive, emerging from forest cover under enemy control. After forming a line, they were deliberately fired upon. Wounded soldiers showing signs of life were killed with close-range gunfire.

Subsequently, on October 10, the Russian forces reportedly executed nine Ukrainian soldiers from a UAV unit near the village of Zelenyi Shliakh in Russia's Kursk region. According to Deepstate, the Ukrainian fighters, mistakenly believing they were in relative safety, encountered Russian troops and were forced to surrender due to limited ammunition.