In a harrowing scene captured by Ukrainian drone footage, Russian troops are shown executing three surrendering Ukrainian soldiers near the city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine. This incident is part of a disturbing trend of apparent executions on the front lines, with 15 cases documented since November by Ukrainian defense intelligence sources. These actions are believed to be war crimes and orchestrated by the Kremlin, according to Ukraine’s prosecutor general. Despite recent gains by Kyiv, Russian forces continue their advances in eastern Ukraine, displaying brutal tactics that are raising concerns internationally. The emergence of videos showcasing these executions has led to challenges for Ukrainian commanders in maintaining morale among their troops. The systematic nature of these alleged battlefield executions could potentially be linked to broader charges of genocide against Russia. The UN Special Rapporteur on executions has also visited Ukraine to investigate reports of extrajudicial killings in combat, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Main image caption: Ukrainian soldiers are seen on a combat mission in the Pokrovsk direction, Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, on August 13, 2024. Ukrinform/Shutterstock