The atrocities of war have taken a horrifying turn in Ukraine, as reports of Russian forces executing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) continue to rise. Disturbing footage and testimonies are painting a grim picture of systemic brutality, leaving families shattered and international observers appalled.
A Grim Legacy of Executions
One of the most haunting images of this war is the execution of Ukrainian sniper Oleksandr Matsievsky, captured on video. In the chilling footage, Matsievsky stands defiantly, cigarette in hand, next to what appears to be his own grave. His final words, “Glory to Ukraine,” echo before gunshots ring out, ending his life.
Tragically, his story is far from isolated.
In October, nine Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly executed in Russia’s Kursk region. Among them was Ruslan Holubenko, identified by his grieving mother from a photograph showing his lifeless body. “I recognized him by his underwear,” she said tearfully, recounting how she had purchased it for him before a family trip.
The grisly list of executions includes reports of beheadings, soldiers being shot after surrendering, and even a case where a POW was killed with a sword. In one particularly horrifying instance, 16 Ukrainian soldiers were allegedly lined up and gunned down after emerging from a forest to surrender.
Systemic and Widespread
According to Ukraine’s Prosecutor-General’s Office, at least 147 Ukrainian POWs have been executed by Russian forces since the invasion began in 2022. Shockingly, 127 of these killings occurred in 2023, highlighting a disturbing trend.
Yuri Belousov, head of the War Department at the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office, stated, “The upward trend is very clear. Executions became systemic from November last year and have continued throughout this year. They are happening across vast areas, with evidence pointing to a coordinated policy.”
International humanitarian law, specifically the Third Geneva Convention, unequivocally prohibits the execution of POWs. However, Russian actions suggest blatant disregard for these protections.
Adding fuel to the fire, Ramzan Kadyrov, the controversial leader of Chechnya, once publicly ordered his commanders “to take no prisoners” in the war against Ukraine.
International Condemnation and Questions of Accountability
Human rights groups and legal experts have condemned these actions as potential war crimes. Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch’s Europe and Central Asia Division, emphasized the critical need for accountability within the Russian military chain of command.
“What instructions are commanders giving their units about the treatment of POWs? Are they actively investigating such conduct? If not, they too are criminally liable and can be held accountable,” Denber said.
Despite mounting evidence, Russia has shown no intention of investigating these allegations. In fact, mentioning such claims is punishable by lengthy prison sentences under Russian law. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly insisted that Russian forces treat POWs “strictly in line with international legal documents and conventions,” a claim starkly contradicted by documented abuses.
Ukrainian Response and Contrasting Accusations
While Ukrainian forces have also faced accusations of executing Russian POWs, the scale of these claims is much smaller. Belousov asserts that Ukraine is taking these allegations seriously and is actively investigating. To date, however, no charges have been brought.
Human Rights Watch has documented extensive violations by Russian forces, ranging from executions to torture, that constitute potential war crimes and crimes against humanity. The ongoing brutality has driven many Ukrainian soldiers to declare they would rather die than be captured.
One grieving mother recounted her son’s chilling vow: “Mum, I’ll never surrender. Forgive me, I know you’ll cry, but I don’t want to be tortured.”
A Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The rising number of executions underscores the urgent need for international intervention. Families like Holubenko’s are left in anguish, clinging to faint hope as their loved ones remain missing or presumed dead.
“I’ll do everything possible and impossible to get my child back,” Holubenko’s mother said. “I keep looking at the photo, hoping he’s just unconscious. I don’t want to think he’s gone.”
As the conflict continues, the scale and nature of these atrocities demand greater scrutiny. The international community must not only document these crimes but also ensure accountability for those responsible. Until then, the haunting images of executed POWs will remain a testament to the unthinkable cruelty of this war.
