The UN has reported an increase in the number of Ukrainian prisoners of war executed by Russian forces.

The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine has reported a significant increase in the documented cases of the execution of Ukrainian soldiers in Russian captivity.

Source. This was reported by Interfax-Ukraine, citing a report.

Since the end of August 2024, the mission has recorded 79 cases of such executions across 24 separate incidents, including wounded and unarmed Ukrainian servicemen who had just surrendered.

In the previous report released in August 2024, it was noted that a total of 42 Ukrainian prisoners of war had been killed during the entire preceding period of the conflict.

The mission also documented the execution of one wounded Russian serviceman by Ukrainian armed forces in 2024.

The information was summarized based on the video and photographic materials obtained and analyzed by the mission, depicting executions or the bodies of the deceased, published by both Ukrainian and Russian sources. Detailed interviews with witnesses of the executions were also conducted.

"These incidents did not occur in a vacuum. Officials in the Russian Federation have openly called for the brutal treatment and even execution of captured Ukrainian servicemen. Combined with laws that provide broad grounds for immunity, such statements may encourage illegal behavior or incite it," said the head of the Mission, Daniel Bell, urging an investigation into these statements that violate the norms of international humanitarian law.

Previously, Ukrainian law enforcement authorities also stated that they are investigating cases of the execution of the Armed Forces of Ukraine personnel.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga, commenting on reports of the increasing number of executions, called on the global community not only to condemn the actions of Russian troops but also to take urgent action.

"New effective legal mechanisms are needed to hold those responsible accountable," Sybiga wrote on social media platform X.

Background. Reminder: On January 23, Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets reported that Russians had shot six Ukrainian prisoners of war.