Ukraine opens probe into Russia's alleged killing of four prisoners of war
Dmytro Lubinets wrote on X on Thursday that the four prisoners of war had no weapons as they walked out of a destroyed building with 'their hands raised'.
'They were shot dead on the spot. This is a clear violation of the Geneva Convention and a grave war crime,' he added.
The alleged killing of the soldiers is believed to have occurred on March 13 in the southern Ukrainian village of Piatykhatky, according to The Associated Press news agency, which verified drone footage of the troops.
The Ukrainian drone video taken by the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade, which was obtained from European military officials on condition of anonymity, shows soldiers with Russian uniform markings raising their weapons and shooting each of the four Ukrainians in the back.
In the Russian drone video, which the AP located on pro-Kremlin social media, the footage cuts off abruptly with the alleged soldiers lying on the ground alive.
The footage came just before Russian troops had planted their flag in Piatykhatky in the Zaporizhia region as Russia sought to take more land ahead of peace talks.
It also took place as European officials told the AP that representatives from the United States landed in Moscow for talks with President Vladimir Putin.
Lubinets wrote on Telegram that he would report the case of the alleged killings of his troops to the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations, for investigation.
'These organisations must record the crime. I emphasise that such shootings are not an isolated case, but a systemic policy of the Russian Federation, which is encouraged at the highest level!' he wrote.
'Therefore, it is necessary not only to document such cases, but to thoroughly investigate them and bring the criminals to justice,' Lubinets added.
He also called for Ukrainians who have witnessed any human rights violations by Russian forces to report them to the police.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Qatar Tribune
10 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Ukraine, Europe, Trump ‘very much' aligned: Merz
dpa Berlin German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the positions of Ukraine, its European allies and US President Donald Trump are 'very much in agreement' ahead of a planned meeting between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week. 'In Alaska, fundamental European and Ukrainian security interests must be safeguarded. That was the message that we Europeans gave President Trump today,' Merz said in Berlin following talks via video link. 'And I can say that we were very much in agreement on both the assessment of the starting position and the achievable goal for this Friday,' the German leader said alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had travelled to Berlin for the talks. Merz, Zelensky and a number of European leaders held talks via video link with Trump and his Vice President JD Vance regarding the US president's upcoming meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday that is expected to address Russia's war in Ukraine. The talks were arranged at short notice by Merz, with Zelensky joining him in person on Wednesday at the Chancellery in Berlin. Ahead of the talks with Trump and Vance, Zelensky joined a preliminary video discussion just among European leaders which included leaders from France, Britain, Italy, Poland and Finland, as well as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Berlin said the aim of the talks was to ensure Kiev and its European partners were fully involved in the preparations for Trump's meeting with Putin. European governments fear the Trump-Putin talks could lead to territorial concessions to Russia that Kiev has firmly rejected. Zelensky said after the consultations that he hopes for an immediate ceasefire as well as robust security guarantees for his country from the upcoming summit. Zelensky stressed that in all negotiations concerning the future of his country, Ukraine must have a seat at the table. Furthermore, he asserted that Russia should not be granted a veto regarding Ukraine's NATO membership. Merz said that Ukraine needs security guarantees on the path to a possible peace with Russia. Such guarantees were briefly discussed during the consultations that included Zelensky, Merz said. 'We know that Ukraine needs security guarantees,' he added. Merz told a press conference that the Europeans 'want President Donald Trump to be successful in Anchorage on Friday.' He also reiterated five main points for a peace deal with Russia. For the Anchorage meeting to yield an outcome acceptable to all, it has to be made clear that Ukraine will be allowed to be at the table in potential follow-up talks, Merz said alongside Zelensky. 'We want negotiations to take place in the right order. There must be a ceasefire at the beginning,' said Merz. Essential elements should then be agreed in a framework agreement, he added. Regarding a third condition for a potential peace deal, Merz said: 'Ukraine is ready to negotiate on territorial issues. However, the so-called line of contact must be the starting point and legal recognition of Russian occupation is out of the question. The principle that borders may not be changed by force must continue to apply.' Fourthly, Merz called for 'robust security guarantees for Kiev' and for Ukraine's ability to defend itself to be maintained, while lastly, any future negotiations must be part of 'a common trans-Atlantic strategy.' French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for a trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky in Europe. Following the video call with the US president and European leaders, Macron said at his summer residence in Bormes-les-Mimosas in the south of France on Wednesday that Trump wanted to push for such a gathering. 'We wish for it to be held in Europe, in a neutral country that is accepted by all sides,' Macron posted on X.
Qatar Tribune
10 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Common ground with US strengthened after call, says Von der Leyen
Europe, the United States and NATO have strengthened their common ground ahead of the summit between US President Donald Trump and Russia's Vladimir Putin in Alaska later this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Wednesday. 'Today Europe, the US and NATO have strengthened the common ground for Ukraine. We will remain in close coordination. Nobody wants peace more than us, a just and lasting peace,' she posted on the social media platform X after a video call that included Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. She spoke of 'a very good call' during which they exchanged views on the upcoming bilateral meeting in Alaska on Friday. Rutte also spoke of a 'great call.' 'We are united in pushing to end to this terrible war against [Ukraine and] achieve just and lasting peace. Appreciate [Donald Trump's] leadership & close coordination with Allies. The ball is now in Putin's court,' Rutte posted on X. The aim of the consultations between the European leaders with Trump and Zelensky was to find a common line with Trump for his meeting with Putin. (DPA)
Qatar Tribune
10 hours ago
- Qatar Tribune
Trump proposes possible meeting between Putin and Zelensky
US President Donald Trump has once again suggested a possible meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin after his planned summit with Putin on Friday. 'We'll have a quick second meeting between President Putin and President Zelensky and myself, if they'd like to have me there,' he said on Wednesday in Washington. However, he said he wanted to wait and see how his planned meeting with Putin in Alaska on Friday would go, as it might not lead to another meeting. When asked what Putin should expect if he did not agree to end the Ukraine war, Trump announced unspecified 'very severe consequences.' When asked if he meant tariffs, the president did not elaborate. (DPA)
