A graphic video circulating on social media appears to show Russian soldiers executing Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in the Kursk region, Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets confirmed on his Telegram channel n February 23.
According to reports, the footage depicts soldiers from Ukraine’s 82nd Brigade being shot in the head at point-blank range by Russian forces.
Lubinets condemned the execution as a blatant war crime, stating: "This is yet another proof of the inhuman cruelty of the Russian army."
He stated that the act violates the Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law, adding that he has already alerted the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
This is not the first instance of Russian troops executing POWs.
In October 2024, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office reported that Russian forces had executed 102 Ukrainian prisoners.
Additionally, forensic examinations have confirmed that many of the remains returned to Ukraine by Russia were POWs executed in captivity, with DNA tests matching them to their families.
