Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on Monday called for an urgent international response following a United Nations (U.N.) report that documented a significant increase in the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russian forces.
According to the report of the U.N. Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, 79 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in 24 separate incidents since late August 2024. “Many Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered or were in physical custody of the Russian armed forces were shot dead on the spot,” stated the report published on Monday.
The U.N. mission’s findings were based on a combination of video and photographic evidence released by sources on both sides of the conflict, along with interviews from witnesses and survivors.
“This is not just an attack on Ukraine’s soldiers; it is an attack on the principles of international law and human rights,” Sybiha said in a post on X. “The world must not remain silent.”
The @UNHumanRights confirms Russia’s growing executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war. At least 79 cases since the end of August 2024.
This could be one of the largest campaigns of intentional POW murder in modern history.
These atrocities demand urgent international action.
— Andrii Sybiha 🇺🇦 (@andrii_sybiha) February 3, 2025
While the primary focus of the report was on Russian-perpetrated executions, the U.N. also recorded one instance last year where a wounded and incapacitated Russian soldier was executed by Ukrainian forces.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, both countries have accused each other of committing war crimes. Last month, Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office opened a criminal case against Russia after footage surfaced showing Russian soldiers executing six Ukrainian troops in Donetsk.
Russians murdered six Ukrainian POW’s, filming it on their phones for entertainment.
This is Russian culture in its purest form.
Ukrainians continue giving their lives, protecting Europe from these monsters, while EU members still pour billions into Putin’s pockets. pic.twitter.com/HwcvQIUpjX
— SPRAVDI — Stratcom Centre (@StratcomCentre) January 23, 2025
The U.N.’s findings come amid growing international concern over the conduct of Russian forces in Ukraine. Western governments have condemned the reported executions, with calls for additional sanctions and international legal action against those responsible.
