At least 109 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) were executed by Russian forces in 2024, according to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine's Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights.
The number was disclosed during a televised statement where Lubinets condemned the brutal treatment of POWs and violations of international law.
“We have officially documented more cases of rights violations against Ukrainian prisoners of war—executions, including brutal point-blank shootings. Unfortunately, in 2024 alone, 109 such cases have been confirmed,” Lubinets said.
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukrainian authorities have recorded a total of 177 executions of POWs, with many cases predating this year’s confirmed incidents.
Lubinets emphasized that intelligence and law enforcement agencies regularly uncover new instances of abuse and rights violations against detained servicemen.
"While it has not always been possible to publicly disclose these blatant violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, we document and reveal them whenever we can," he explained.
The actual number of executions and abuses is likely much higher. Russia's occupation of Ukrainian territories and restrictions on international access to detention sites have made it difficult to gather precise data.
As of December 2024, Ukraine does not have accurate figures on the number of servicemen in Russian captivity. Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has faced criticism for its inability to verify the status of POWs or ensure access to detainees.
Lubinets' revelations underscore the severe human rights violations in the ongoing war, with the execution of POWs standing out as some of the most egregious crimes documented.
