Russia Violates the Geneva Conventions. Executions and Torture of Ukrainian Prisoners of War
In September 2024, the world once again witnessed a truly egregious case, a war crime made by Russia. Russian soldiers brutally executed a Ukrainian prisoner of war with a sword, tying his hands with tape. The crime took place in Novohrodivka near Pokrovsk, occupied by Russian troops in August 2024. The sword used had the inscription “For Kursk”, which adds symbolism and emphasizes the cruelty of this crime.
This case was confirmed by Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets. He emphasized that such actions were a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions to demoralize Ukrainian society. The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights also recalled that the execution of prisoners of war was a serious violation of international norms, in particular the Geneva Convention. In this regard, he sent letters to international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN, with a request to take into account this latest act of human rights violation by Russia.
This is not the only documented case in the Russian-Ukrainian war, when Russian soldiers executed and tortured of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Human Rights Watch and other international organizations have repeatedly recorded the killings of Ukrainian soldiers who voluntarily surrendered. One such case occurred in February 2024 in the Donetsk region, when Russian soldiers shot seven unarmed Ukrainian soldiers. Since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion, at least 62 Ukrainian servicemen have been executed by Russian troops. For example, in September 2024, another war crime occurred in the Pokrovsk district of the Donetsk region: Russian soldiers shot Ukrainian prisoners after shelling their positions with drones and surrounding them. These acts of violance continue to be fixed, and their number is growing.
These facts prove systematic violations of international law by Russia. Executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war is a common practice to intimidate and demoralize Ukrainian society. In addition, Russia holds thousands of Ukrainian prisoners of war in terrible conditions, which violates international humanitarian law. According to the UN Monitoring Mission, more than 95% of Ukrainian prisoners have been tortured. They face physical, psychological and sexual violance; they are deprived of medical care and adequate nutrition.
Despite all these atrocities, Ukraine continues to actively work to free its citizens. In September 2024, two successful prisoner exchanges took place, resulting in the return of 152 Ukrainian servicemen. Successful operation of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the Kursk region made it possible, which accelerated the negotiation process. Among those released were the defenders of Azovstal and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, who had been in captivity for more than two years. These soldiers returned home exhausted with a weight loss of up to 40 kilograms, which once again underlines the terrible conditions of detention of Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia. At the same time, Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity get humane treatment, including adequate nutrition and medical care.
According to the Geneva Conventions, prisoners of war must be held in humane conditions and must not be subject to torture or execution. However, Russia ignores these norms, turning its prison camps into places of torture and cruelty. Sword execution is not just a single crime, but part of systematic Russian atrocities.
The international community must urgently increase pressure on Russia. World leaders must demand immediate and free access of international organizations, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, to the places where Ukrainian prisoners of war are being held. Only international efforts and pressure can prevent further crimes and bring all Ukrainian defenders home.
Every case of torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners of war must be carefully investigated, and those responsible must be brought to justice. The Geneva Conventions were created to protect people in wartime, but Russia systematically violates them, committing war crimes. The world community must not remain indifferent. Only decisive action can end the suffering of Ukrainian prisoners and hold Russia accountable for these crimes.
