**Ukrainian Soldiers Executed by Russian Forces**
Russian forces have been accused of executing Ukrainian soldiers in a number of incidents since the start of the full-scale invasion. One such incident was the capture and execution of sniper Oleksandr Matsievsky, who was filmed smoking his last cigarette before being shot dead.
**Reports of Mass Executions**
In October this year, nine captured Ukrainian soldiers were reportedly shot dead by Russian forces in Kursk region. A photo showing half-naked bodies lying on the ground helped identify one of the victims, drone operator Ruslan Holubenko.
“Glory to Ukraine!” Matsievsky says to his captors before being killed. His execution is just one of many reported incidents.
**Ukrainian Prosecutors Investigate**
The Ukrainian prosecution service is investigating reports of beheadings and other executions by Russian forces. At least 147 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been executed since the start of the invasion, with 127 of them this year.
“The upward trend is very clear, very obvious,” says Yuri Belousov, head of the War Department at the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office.
**International Law Broken**
Executing prisoners of war is a war crime under international humanitarian law. Despite this, Ramzan Kadyrov, leader of Russia’s Chechnya, ordered his commanders to “take no prisoners” during the Ukraine conflict.
**Impunity for Russian Forces**
Human Rights Watch has accused Russian forces of impunity and asked questions about their commanders’ instructions and actions.
“What steps is the chain of command taking to investigate these instances? And if higher ups are not investigating, or not taking steps to prevent that conduct, are they aware that they too are criminally liable?” asks Rachel Denber, Deputy Director of Human Rights Watch.
**No Investigation by Russia**
There has been no suggestion that Russia is formally investigating claims of executing Ukrainian prisoners of war. Even mentioning such allegations can result in lengthy prison sentences in Russia.
Vladimir Putin has denied any wrongdoing, stating that Russian forces have treated Ukrainian prisoners of war “strictly in line with international legal documents and international conventions”.
**Ukrainian Forces Also Accused**
Some Ukrainian soldiers have been accused of executing Russian prisoners of war. However, these claims are much smaller in number.