Ukrainian officials have shared intercepted Russian radio transmissions that suggest commanders ordered their troops to execute surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, sparking a formal investigation into potential war crimes. The recordings, obtained by CNN, appear to match with drone footage from November 2024 in the Zaporizhzhia region.
The audio captures multiple instances of a Russian commander giving orders for the execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers, including shots being fired at close range and one soldier being led away in handcuffs. A forensic expert confirmed the recordings as authentic, while experts believe they demonstrate a deliberate policy to execute prisoners of war.
Morris Tidball-Binz, UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, stated that the incident suggests a high-level involvement from the Russian military and President Putin’s administration. Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office has launched 75 investigations into the execution of 268 prisoners of war, with cases increasing year by year.
Ukrainian officials also suggest that the killings may be motivated by a desire to avoid holding prisoners, as it “complicates their operations.” The incident highlights Russia’s denials of committing war crimes and follows recent claims debunked by experts.
Source: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/53168