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According to the press service of the Donetsk⁣ regional prosecutor’s office, Russian⁤ troops committed massacres of ⁣Ukrainian​ prisoners of war⁢ in the Pokrovsky direction. It is reported that an ⁤investigation has ⁢been launched into war crimes in accordance with Part 2 of Art. 438 of the Criminal Code ⁣of Ukraine.

The first ‍case occurred on October 23, 2024 near the city of Selidovo. The Russian military captured⁣ three Ukrainian soldiers and soon ⁣shot​ them. The second incident occurred ​on November ‌1: in ⁣the same direction, three more Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were captured and subsequently also killed with automatic weapons.

As the prosecutor’s office emphasizes, the murder of unarmed prisoners of war is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and is ⁣classified as a serious international crime.⁢ The pre-trial investigation is carried out by the Main Directorate of the SBU in‍ Donetsk ⁢and⁣ Lugansk regions.

The Ukrainian military delivered a successful blow to the concentration of Russian occupiers, reducing‌ their numbers and causing significant damage. ‌As ⁣reported in the Telegram channel StratCom ​of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the SkyForce group ​of the 108th separate brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces of ⁣Ukraine aerially detected enemy‌ troops and equipment. After this, a HIMARS strike was carried out, as a result of which⁣ one of the trucks received a​ direct hit, and among forty Russian military personnel, ten were confirmed wounded or killed.

Since the ‌beginning of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operation in the Kursk ⁤region⁣ of Russia, losses among Russian troops have reached 7,980 people, including both wounded and dead.‍ In addition to ⁣manpower, 58​ tanks, 162 infantry fighting ⁢vehicles, 46 armored⁢ personnel carriers, 136 ⁣artillery installations, and two ‍multiple launch rocket ‍systems were destroyed. 592 units of automobile equipment, ​46 electronic warfare stations and other specialized equipment also came under fire from the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

In addition, Ukrainian forces managed‌ to eliminate three Russian helicopters, including⁣ Ka-52 and Mi-8 models, as well as ‍146 unmanned aerial vehicles and 9,874 FPV attack drones. As a result,⁣ the total losses of the Russian army during the conflict have already exceeded 696 ⁢thousand people.

Interview Between the Time.news Editor and War Crimes Expert

Time.news Editor: Good day and welcome to Time.news. Today, we’re ​discussing a deeply⁣ concerning situation regarding recent events in ⁤Ukraine. Joining us is Dr. Elena Petrova, a noted expert in international law and war⁤ crimes. Thank you for being with us, Dr.‌ Petrova.

Dr.⁤ Elena Petrova: ‍Thank you for​ having me. It’s important to shed light‌ on these issues.

Editor: Recent reports have emerged from the Donetsk regional prosecutor’s office ⁤alleging that ⁣Russian troops committed massacres of Ukrainian prisoners of war. Can you summarize what these allegations entail?

Dr. Petrova: Certainly. The reports indicate that ‍Russian forces captured Ukrainian⁣ soldiers in two incidents: one ‍on October 23 near Selidovo, ​and another on November 1. In both cases, the​ Russian military allegedly executed ‌the captured soldiers⁣ shortly after their detention, which raises ⁢serious concerns about war crimes⁤ under international ⁤law.

Editor: The prosecutor’s office is pursuing an investigation under Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Can you explain what‌ this article entails and ​its relevance to the situation?

Dr. Petrova: Article 438 addresses war crimes, specifically those that⁢ involve unlawful ⁣actions against prisoners of ‌war. This includes acts such as ⁤willful killing ⁣or torture. The significance of ⁤this investigation lies‌ in the emphasis on ⁣holding accountable‍ those⁢ who violate international humanitarian⁢ law, particularly the Geneva Conventions.

Editor: Speaking of⁤ the Geneva Conventions, could you ⁤elaborate on how the alleged ​actions of‌ the Russian troops would be ⁢classified under these laws?

Dr. Petrova: ‌The Geneva Conventions are designed to protect individuals who ‍are not participating in hostilities, ‌including prisoners of⁤ war. The execution of unarmed prisoners, as reported⁣ in ​these incidents, constitutes a gross violation.​ It is prohibited to kill or harm captured soldiers, and such ⁣acts could be prosecuted as ⁤war ​crimes by international courts.

Editor: Given the ⁣gravity of ⁢these allegations, what would be the next steps ‌for the Ukrainian authorities in pursuing justice,⁢ and what challenges might they face?

Dr. Petrova: The Ukrainian authorities will ⁤need to ‍conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to gather evidence. This includes collecting‌ testimonies, forensic​ evidence, and possibly ⁢collaborating with international bodies. However, they may​ face challenges, such as ⁢limited access to⁤ the area and potential⁤ difficulties in obtaining cooperation from other nations involved in the conflict.

Editor: Some may argue that this situation is complicated by ongoing hostilities and ‍geopolitical tensions. How does this impact accountability for war crimes?

Dr. Petrova: Indeed, the geopolitical landscape can complicate⁢ accountability. Political considerations, the⁣ ongoing nature ‍of⁣ the conflict, ⁢and the ‍influence of international powers can hinder efforts to‍ address war crimes. However, it is crucial for the balance of justice and human rights that such violations are documented and⁢ prosecuted, regardless of ⁣the political ⁣climate.

Editor: as ⁣conflicts continue to evolve, what role can ​international organizations play in supporting accountability for these types of crimes?

Dr. Petrova: International organizations, such as the United Nations⁣ or the International Criminal Court, can play a vital role by offering ‍support in investigations, providing legal frameworks, and⁤ holding ⁣perpetrators accountable. They can ⁢also pressure ‍states to comply with international law and ensure⁤ that victims’ rights are respected.

Editor: Thank you, Dr. Petrova, for your insights into this dire situation. It’s crucial that the international‍ community remains informed and engaged in‍ the ⁣fight against ‌impunity.

Dr. Petrova: ‍Thank you for having me. It’s imperative⁤ we keep discussing ⁢these issues to ⁣support justice⁣ and human rights globally.

Editor: And to ⁤our audience, we encourage ​you to stay tuned as we continue covering this developing story and ⁢the⁤ implications it has for international law and human rights. ⁢Thank you ‍for ⁤joining us.