Ukrainian authorities confirmed on Sunday that they had initiated an inquiry into reported shootings by Russian forces of six unarmed Ukrainian soldiers in Avdiivka, and two in a nearby village, following Russia's assertion of complete control over the city.
The prosecutor's office in the Donetsk region announced on its Telegram channel that an investigation has been initiated into the shootings of unarmed Ukrainian prisoners of war in Avdiivka and Vesele, as per Reuters.
Executions of Ukrainian Prisoners in Avdiivka
A man, wounded in Avdiivka, is evacuated by policemen on a stretcher from an emergency car upon his arrival to a hospital in Myrnohrad, Donetsk region, on November 13, 2023, amid the Russian invasion in Ukraine.
Prosecutors have initiated a formal investigation into reports suggesting the execution of six prisoners in the region of Avdiivka. The prosecutors, citing information that emerged on the messaging platform Telegram, disclosed that the individuals in question were severely injured and in need of evacuation. Despite the seriousness of the allegations, the source of this information remains undisclosed.
Ukrainian military spokesperson Dmytro Lykhoviy, quoted by Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne, indicated the challenges in confirming or refuting the reported killings in Avdiivka, as an ongoing investigation is underway. Lykhoviy acknowledged the historical context, noting that Russia has been accused of war crimes previously. The Ukrainian military continues to grapple with verifying the details surrounding the alleged executions.
Meanwhile, the Donetsk prosecutor's office provided more information, referring to a video fragment captured by a drone. Allegedly, the video depicts a Russian soldier firing at two captured Ukrainian soldiers from a short distance in the village of Vesele. The office stated that the occupier, identified as Russian, used automatic weapons to kill the prisoners, showing a clear intention to prevent their survival without specifying the incident's timing.
On Sunday, Ukraine's land forces' official Telegram channel shared drone footage depicting individuals in uniform within a narrow trench. The video captured an armed person, identified as Russian, approaching two uniformed individuals identified as Ukrainian. Subsequently, the armed person discharged his weapon, seemingly shooting both Ukrainians. The footage does not depict any defensive actions by the Ukrainian soldiers, who are in a confined trench, according to US News.
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Russia Silent Amid Ukrainian Allegations
Russia's defense ministry has not responded to allegations made by Ukrainian prosecutors, which are the latest in a series of accusations related to the mistreatment of prisoners of war. Russia, consistently, has denied such claims.
In a separate development, Ukraine claimed the destruction of the fourth fighter jet in two days. War tracker Oryx reported that more than 80 Russian combat aircraft have been confirmed as either destroyed or damaged since the commencement of the full-scale invasion.
The military situation in Avdiivka remains tense, with Ukrainian troops fortifying defensive positions in the nearby town of Lastochkyne. Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrskyi explained the withdrawal of Kyiv's troops from the city as a strategic move to prevent encirclement, following months of intense Russian attacks.
In the Zaporizhzhia Oblast region, Ukraine's military asserted victory in repelling Russia's offensive. The military reported the destruction of 18 armored vehicles, including three tanks, forcing the Russians to retreat to their previous positions. The situation on the ground reflects the complex and dynamic nature of the ongoing conflict, with both sides claiming victories and facing ongoing challenges in verifying and responding to reported incidents, CNN News Independent.
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