Russia kills 177 Ukrainian POWs in captivity

Despite approximately 3,600 POWs and deported citizens being exchanged and returned, thousands still remain unaccounted for, with fears that the true death toll could be significantly higher due to the lack of international oversight.

Oct 5, 2024 - 01:00

Russia kills 177 Ukrainian POWs in captivity

Russian soldiers, illustrative image. Photo via Wikimedia.

At least 177 Ukrainian prisoners of war have died in Russian captivity since the onset of all-out war, Victoria Tymbaliuk, a representative of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War, told Politico.

As a result of exchanges between Moscow and Kyiv, 3,600 Ukrainian prisoners of war and deported citizens have been returned. However, thousands of prisoners of war remain in Russian captivity.

Tymbaliuk noted that due to the lack of international oversight, the actual number of deaths in Russian prisons is likely much higher.

“This is the number we have. But, of course, not all bodies have been returned, and many of those who died have not even been confirmed by Russia as being in captivity,” the representative of Ukraine’s Coordination Headquarters said.

According to her, Russia refuses to confirm the capture or whereabouts of thousands of prisoners.

“The longer they spend in Russian prisons, the closer they are to death,” stated Tymbaliuk.

Previously, the Russians executed 16 Ukrainian prisoners of war on the Pokrovsk front from two units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said Yurii Bielousov, head of the War Department of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

Russians reportedly execute 16 Ukrainian POWs from two units in Donbas

On 1 October 2024, numerous reports surfaced on social media on the alleged execution of 16 Ukrainian soldiers by Russian armed forces.

The released video showed Ukrainian soldiers, captured by the Russians, emerging from a forest under Russian control. After being lined up, the occupiers deliberately opened fire, shooting the Ukrainian POWs. Those who showed signs of life were executed at close range with automatic gunfire.

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