© Reuters. A view exhibits residential buildings closely broken by everlasting Russian army strikes within the entrance line city of Avdiivka, amid Russia’s assault on Ukraine, in Donetsk area, Ukraine November 8, 2023. Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty/Serhii Nuzhnenko through
KYIV (Reuters) – Ukrainian authorities mentioned on Sunday that they had opened an investigation into alleged shootings by Russian forces of six unarmed Ukrainian troopers within the metropolis of Avdiivka, and two at a village in the identical area, after Russia claimed full management of town.
“An investigation into the shootings of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of struggle in Avdiivka and Vesele has been launched,” the prosecutor’s workplace in Donetsk area mentioned on its Telegram channel.
The prosecutors referred to details about “the execution of six prisoners” at a place in Avdiivka, including that they had been “critically injured and awaiting evacuation.” It mentioned the data had been shared on Telegram however didn’t title the supply.
Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne quoted Ukrainian army spokesman Dmytro Lykhoviy as saying: “There may be nonetheless no risk to substantiate or refute” the killings at Avdiivka, as an investigation was ongoing. Nevertheless he added it could not be the primary time Russia had dedicated struggle crimes.
The Donetsk prosecutor’s workplace mentioned a video fragment taken by a drone confirmed a Russian soldier capturing two captured Ukrainian troopers at shut vary on the village of Vesele.
“Not wanting to depart the prisoners alive, the occupier kills them with computerized weapons,” the workplace added, with out saying when the incident had occurred.
Earlier on Sunday the official Telegram channel of Ukraine’s land forces shared video apparently shot from a drone of individuals in uniform in a slender trench.
An armed individual the publish identifies as Russian is seen approaching two uniformed folks recognized as Ukrainian after which discharging his weapon and apparently capturing them each.
The Ukrainians within the footage don’t look like trying to defend themselves and are in a slender trench in single file as the opposite soldier approaches and seems to seize them each.
After preliminary confrontations, the 2 injured persons are seen collapsing on to their sides within the trench, twitching. The opposite individual is then seen standing again briefly, earlier than showing to shoot them each once more.
Russia’s defence ministry didn’t reply to a Reuters e-mail despatched exterior common enterprise hours looking for touch upon the allegations, the most recent in a collection of accusations leveled by Ukrainian prosecutors that it has killed prisoners of struggle. Russia has denied such claims.
Reuters couldn’t instantly confirm the video or different particulars of the account by the Ukrainian prosecutors and army.