Russians kill seven Ukrainian POWs near Bakhmut: prosecutor's office launches investigation

Ukraine’s Office of the Prosecutor General reported the information. 

"On February 24, 2024, a video was published on one of the Telegram channels, which recorded how Russian soldiers shot 7 captured Ukrainian servicemen during the storming of our positions between the villages of Ivanivske and Khromove, Donetsk region," the statement said.

A total of 19 criminal proceedings are currently being investigated in Ukraine over the murder of 45 Ukrainian prisoners of war. 

Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, also reported the shooting. 

"The video we managed to obtain shows that the Ukrainian soldiers surrendered: their hands were raised in the air, showing that they were unarmed and did not pose a threat. The Russians were supposed to take them prisoner, but instead mercilessly shot them," the ombudsman wrote.

The precise number of Ukrainians executed by Russian troops remains unknown, but it is believed to be at least seven people, all of whom were members of the Ukrainian Defense Forces.

Earlier, DeepState reported that Russian soldiers had shot nine prisoners of war.

"Those who were shot are probably fighters of the 92nd Separate Mechanized Brigade or someone from their attached units. Yesterday, there was hope that the guys from this position survived and were still in captivity, but the footage that was published today shows the execution of the Defense Forces," the report says. 

Volunteer Serhiy Sternenko also wrote about the killing of Ukrainian prisoners of war. He noted that it happened near the village of Ivanivske near Bakhmut.

This is at least the third known case in recent times when the Russian invaders have executed Ukrainian prisoners.