Ukraine’s Ombudsman explains three reasons behind Russia’s war crimes against POWs

Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets named the reasons behind Russia's abuse of POWs.

He referenced Putin's statement that Ukrainian soldiers captured in the Kursk region should be treated as terrorists.

"What does this reveal? Russian war crimes are being endorsed and promoted at the highest level! The President of the Russian Federation is openly urging his military to commit war crimes," Lubinets stressed.

The Ombudsman also reminded that extrajudicial executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war who have surrendered violate Article 13 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War (August 12, 1949) and constitute a war crime under Article 8, paragraph 2, subparagraph b (vi), of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Lubinets emphasized that the operation in the Kursk region is an exercise of Ukraine's right to self-defense. The Ukrainian authorities aim to establish a "sanitary zone" to secure the Ukrainian border. As such, the soldiers, including those captured in the Kursk region, are recognized as prisoners of war and are entitled to the protections outlined in the Geneva Conventions.

The Ombudsman outlined three reasons why Russia violates international humanitarian law and encourages its military to execute Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Firstly, Russia uses executions of prisoners of war to exert psychological and moral pressure on the Ukrainian military and society — “this way, Russia portrays itself as a ruthless enemy that must be feared.”

Furthermore, Russia is applying pressure on its own military and civilians — “this represents a form of dehumanization, eroding societal norms and rules.”

“Thirdly, Russia is actively attempting to avoid international condemnation by concealing its crimes. This is why they label Ukrainians as terrorists, manipulating judgments and facts,” Lubinets wrote.

He urged the international community to recognize Russia’s treatment of POWs as a war crime and to intensify sanctions against Russia and all those responsible for the abuse of POWs.

• On March 13, Ukraine’s Human Rights Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that Russian soldiers had killed 5 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Kursk region.