The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine reported Feb. 2 that captured Ukrainian soldiers are being executed at an alarming rate. The mission has recorded 79 executions in 24 separate incidents since August 2024. For all incidents, the mission obtained video and photo material showing executions or dead bodies. The spike in executions is part of a pattern of abuse against Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs). The mission recorded at least three phone calls in 2024 in which Russian officials called for executions. The head of the mission, Danielle Bell, stated: "Combined with broad amnesty laws, such statements have the potential to incite or encourage unlawful behavior."

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published a report in August 2024 on the situation in Ukraine. The report found that Russian public figures have repeatedly advocated for the inhumane treatment or execution of Ukrainian POWs. A total of 169 out of the 174 Ukrainian POWs interviewed by the OHCHR had been subjected to torture or ill-treatment. Methods of torture used by Russian armed forces included severe beatings, electric shocks, suffocation, and sexual violence.

Additionally, the report stated that 104 of the 205 Russian POWs interviewed were subjected to torture by Ukrainian armed forces.

The armed conflict between Russia and Ukraine is ostensibly governed by international humanitarian treaties. Both nations are parties to the Third Geneva Convention, which states that POWs may not be subjected to torture or ill-treatment. In particular, Article 13 of the convention provides for the humane treatment of POWs, including the prohibition of any acts or omissions that will cause death or seriously endanger the health of POWs.

The mission will continue to monitor the human rights situation in Ukraine. The mission first reported the widespread deprivation of human rights against Ukrainian prisoners of war in 2022.

In October 2024, Ukraine also accused Russia o ssystematically torturing POWs, with up to 90% of returned Ukrainian soldiers reporting abuse during detention. Relatedly, in November 2024, Ukraine prosecuted several Russian soldiers for executing Ukrainian prisoners of war.

From JURIST, Feb. 3. Used with permission.

See our last report on criminal charges related to the Ukraine war.