Russia orders execution of Ukrainian POWs, intercepted audio suggests

CNN reports this, citing radio communications intercepted by Ukrainian intelligence, which the outlet received from a Ukrainian officer.

According to CNN, the radio intercept likely coincides with drone footage showing the execution of Ukrainian soldiers by Russian forces in the eastern part of the Zaporizhzhia region in November of last year. The video shows six soldiers lying face down on the ground — at least two of them were shot at point-blank range.

The incident is currently under investigation by the Ukrainian prosecutor’s office. An official familiar with the investigation told CNN that the same radio intercepts obtained by the outlet are being examined as part of the murder case.

CNN notes that it has not been able to independently verify the authenticity of the recording or confirm that the communications are directly linked to the drone footage, but a forensic expert who analyzed the audio files stated they are not fake.

Additionally, a senior UN investigator and a Western intelligence official told CNN that the radio intercepts and drone footage are consistent with other incidents in which Russian forces executed Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered. The Western intelligence official reviewed the intercepted files and “found them to be authentic, credible, and consistent with previously documented brutal executions. It is clear the soldier receives an order to execute the Ukrainian soldiers who have surrendered.” He also stated that he is reviewing similar materials from other cases, which “strengthen the evidence of a directive from Russian commanding officers to kill Ukrainian soldiers who have surrendered or are in the process of surrendering.”

As of May 5, the Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has opened 75 criminal proceedings over the suspected executions of 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war. According to the office, the number of such executions is increasing: in 2022, eight cases were opened involving 57 servicemen; in 2023, eight cases involving 11 servicemen; in 2024, 39 cases involving 149 servicemen; and this year, 20 cases involving 51 servicemen.

Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets responded to the information published by CNN.

He noted that last year he responded to Russia’s crime in Zaporizhzhia by sending official letters to the ICRC and the UN. In them, he emphasized that the killing of prisoners of war is a war crime that must be met with accountability.

In addition, Lubinets addressed the public, urging people to report such information.

“If you witnessed or have any information regarding violations of the rights of Ukrainian citizens or executions of Ukrainian servicemen, please immediately report it to the Ukrainian Ombudsman’s hotline at 0800 50 17 20 and to law enforcement authorities. This evidence is crucial for establishing the truth, documenting war crimes, and bringing those responsible to justice,” the statement reads.

• On May 3, Russian soldiers executed three Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Volnovakha district of Donetsk region. An investigation has been launched.