Ukraine has claimed that nine of its drone operators were murdered by Russian forces after surrendering in the Kursk region.
DeepState, a Ukrainian battlefield analysis site close to Ukraine‘s defence ministry, alleges the prisoners of war were shot on 10 October after being forced to strip to their underwear.
Horrific photos taken after the event show piles of bodies lying next to discarded clothes.
Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights, said: “Information about the possible shooting by the Russians of nine Ukrainian prisoners of war in Kursk region is again spreading in social networks.
“Such actions are a gross violation of the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War.”
If true, it would be the latest war crime committed by Russian forces since President Putin launched his illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Mr Lubinets added: “These actions should not go unpunished, and the enemy should bear all responsibility.
“Russia is a terrorist country that violates all the rules and customs of war.
“The international community should not turn a blind eye to such crimes.”
The men had laid down their weapons after being surrounded by Russian forces in the Kursk region.
The execution of prisoners of war (POWs) is a war crime but ill-discipline within the Russian ranks means that instances of these crimes being committed are common on the battlefield.
Ukrainian Telegram channel Deep State said: “From our sources in the 1st Separate Tank Brigade, it became known that on October 10, the Russians shot drone fighters and associates in the area of Zeleniy Shlyakh village.
“Additional details of the circumstances are being clarified, but it is known that the boys entered the position thinking that they were in the relative rear but were already forced to come into contact with the enemy and shot back.”
“However, their ammunition was limited and they were forced to surrender.”
The Institute for the Study of War said: “Russian milbloggers largely glorified the Russian execution of the Ukrainian POWs, reinforcing a cultural norm to justify and celebrate war crimes within the broader Russian ultranationalist community.”
Ukraine continues to hold the Russian territory in Kursk which it seized in an audacious, surprise attack in August.
The Russian offensive in the Donetsk region has meant that Russian forces have been unable or unwilling to divert troops to reclaim the territory, despite many believing that this was what the Ukrainians were attempting to lure the Russians into doing.
