Published: 01:49 PM, 25 March 2023
UN accuses Russia, Ukraine forces of 'summary executions' of prisoners
The United Nations said Friday it
was "deeply concerned" by what it said were summary executions of prisoners
of war by both Russian and Ukrainian forces on the battlefield.
The allegations came shortly after Kyiv accused Russian forces of killing a
captured Ukrainian serviceman who was filmed saying "Glory to Ukraine" before
being shot dead.
The head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, Matilda
Bogner, said that her organisation had recently recorded killings by both
sides.
"We are deeply concerned about (the) summary execution of up to 25 Russian
prisoners of war and persons hors de combat by the Ukrainian armed forces,
which we have documented," Bogner said at a press conference in Kyiv on
Friday.
"This was often perpetrated immediately upon capture on the battlefield," she
said.
"While we are aware of ongoing investigations by Ukraine authorities into
five cases involving 22 victims, we are not aware of any prosecution of the
perpetrators," she added.
Bogner also expressed "deep" concern over the alleged executions of 15
Ukrainian prisoners by Russian armed forces after their capture.
She said the Wagner mercenary group, which claims to be leading Russia's
assault for Bakhmut -- the longest and bloodiest battle of the war -- was
responsible for 11 of those killings.
Moscow and Kyiv have accused each other of mistreating prisoners of war since
Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded a year ago.
In response to the UN report, Kyiv's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was
"unacceptable" to hold the "victim of aggression" responsible.
