U.S. Department of State responds to reports of execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war

Matthew Miller, a spokesman for the US State Department, made the statement.

Miller noted that the Department of State had seen reports of Russians executing Ukrainian prisoners, but had no independent information to confirm this. He indicated that he believes an investigation initiated by Ukraine is appropriate.

"So we have seen the reports. I don’t have any independent information with which to confirm that. I think it’s appropriate that Ukraine conduct the investigation that they’ve announced," he said.

He added that in general, “we have seen Russia commit horrific acts since the beginning of this conflict.” 

• Russian forces executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war in the Pokrovsk direction near Mykolaivka and Sukhyi Yar. Ukrainian authorities have initiated an investigation into war crimes, including premeditated murder.
• On October 2, the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned a representative of the Russian Embassy over the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war.