Human Rights Watch has reported multiple incidents in which Russian forces allegedly executed surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, actions that may constitute war crimes.
One particularly disturbing incident, captured on drone footage on February 25, shows at least seven Ukrainian soldiers exiting a shelter, removing their protective gear, and lying on the ground.
Despite their clear intent to surrender, five Russian soldiers, identifiable by their uniforms, aimed their weapons at the Ukrainians. The footage then shows three Russian soldiers firing on the unarmed Ukrainians.
This footage, along with other similar videos, has been authenticated and analyzed by Human Rights Watch.
The precise locations of two out of three incidents depicted in these videos were identified, clearly demonstrating the attempts by Ukrainian soldiers to surrender.
Since the onset of December 2023, Human Rights Watch has documented the execution of at least 15 to 21 Ukrainian soldiers who were attempting to surrender to Russian forces.
According to the organization, these cases should be investigated as war crimes, as they violate international humanitarian law, which strictly prohibits the execution of surrendering or wounded soldiers.
"Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its forces have committed numerous egregious war crimes. Executing surrendering and wounded soldiers is categorically forbidden under international humanitarian law and contributes to the deplorable legacy of this conflict," stated Belkis Wille, Deputy Director of Crisis and Conflict at Human Rights Watch.
