Tri-Service

Russian-Backed Separatists "Executed Soldiers" in Ukraine

Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine executed several captured government soldiers in gross violation of international humanitarian law, according to Amnesty International.

The organisation says it has obtained footage showing at least four Ukrainian soldiers, now confirmed dead, being interrogated by rebel militia.

It said pictures showing bullet wounds to the soldiers' heads and bodies appeared to show they had died as the result of execution-style killings.

Hundreds of Ukrainian troops are believed to have been captured by rebel forces over the course of a year-long war that has claimed more than 6,000 lives.

Both sides accuse one another of mistreating captives. Under a February peace agreement, all prisoners had been due for release in early March but little progress has been achieved.

Eduard Basurin, a spokesman for rebel forces, denied the claims, saying that footage of soldiers being taken prisoner could not serve as evidence.

Basurin told the Associated Press:

"Accusations without facts are nothing. Nobody has shot anybody."

Amnesty said claims of summary killings should be thoroughly and impartially investigated and that perpetrators should be prosecuted in trials by recognised authorities.

"The torture, ill-treatment and killing of captured, surrendered or wounded soldiers are war crimes," Denis Krivosheev, Europe and Central Asia deputy director at Amnesty International, said.

Cover photo courtesy of Yevgen Nasadyuk via Wikimedia Commons.