Key Takeaways:
– Ukrainian representative calls for the international community’s response to Russian war crimes.
– More than 177 confirmed cases of Ukrainian POW executions by Russia since 2022.
– Ukraine alleges Russia’s execution of POWs is a premeditated and systematic strategy.
– An alarming increase in the number of Ukrainian prisoner executions in 2024 reflects the deteriorating situation.
– The Ukrainian diplomat underscores the need for the OSCE to respond appropriately to Russia’s actions.
Ukraine Rises Against Russian Human Rights Violations
Viktoriia Kuvshynnykova, Ukraine’s Acting Permanent Representative to the global organizations in Vienna, has demanded a response from the international community, including the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), concerning the systematic execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) by Russia.
Evidence of Pre-planned Executions
Kuvshynnykova highlighted the premeditated and systematic nature of Russia’s actions, declaring there was ample evidence of this fact. Notably, the Ombudsperson for Ukraine has verified a minimum of 177 executions of Ukrainian POWs by Russia since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The escalating trend in Russia’s violation of international norms was emphasized by the increase in executions, with 109 cases recorded in 2024 alone.
Recent Executions Ignite Outrage
Adding to the growing concern, Kuvshynnykova noted the execution of six more Ukrainian POWs by Russia in Ukraine’s Donetsk region on January 23, 2025. These criminal actions were not only committed but also filmed and globally disseminated via the internet.
Dehumanisation and Incitement of Hatred
Kuvshynnykova condemned Russia’s intensifying execution campaign, interpreting the publication of the execution videos as a gruesome effort to dehumanize Ukrainians and inflame Russian society’s hostility towards Ukraine. The demonstrational character of these videos, according to the acting representative, illustrates Russia’s sense of impunity, putting the entire protection system for POWs under international law at risk.
Russia’s Responsibility Under International Law
The Ukrainian diplomat stressed the necessity for Russia to bear full responsibility for the safety and health of Ukrainian POWs under international law. The lives of these prisoners are at stake, and according to the laws of war, their treatment falls squarely on Russia.
Call for Response from the International Community
In a plea for justice, Kuvshynnykova called on the international community, including the executive and political leadership of the OSCE, to respond adequately to Russia’s horrendous actions. This comes after a distressing report from the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, confirming the execution of 177 Ukrainian POWs by Russian troops in under three years, with 109 of these cases occurring in 2024.
In conclusion, Ukraine’s plea for international intervention to respond to Russia’s systematic human rights abuses is a testament to the desperate circumstances faced by POWs. The international community must examine the situation closely and take decisive actions to enforce international law and safeguard the basic rights of those caught in the crossfire of conflict.