Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) has documented more than 150 cases of Ukrainian soldiers being summarily executed after surrendering to Russian forces, according to a statement released on May 24. This figure is likely an underestimation, as it only includes cases recorded by HUR.
The surge in executions has been ongoing since 2024 and is part of a deliberate policy implemented by the Russian leadership. Intelligence officials have confirmed that multiple instances involve direct orders from Russian troops to kill prisoners of war.
International organizations, including the U.N., have also documented this pattern of war crimes. The U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine found that Russian forces have deliberately killed or maimed Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered or attempted to surrender. In some cases, Russian deserters reported receiving orders not to take prisoners but to kill them instead.
The U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has documented 79 executions of Ukrainian POWs across 24 separate incidents since late August 2024. These incidents involve group killings and often occur in areas of active Russian military operations. Public calls by Russian figures and social media accounts have also fueled this violence.
Source: https://kyivindependent.com/shoot-them-on-the-spot-ukraines-intel-records-150-cases-of-russia-executing-pows