Video reportedly shows Russians killing surrendering Ukrainian troops

[LAUREN TAYLOR]

UKRAINE ANNOUNCED FRIDAY IT’S LAUNCHING AN INVESTIGATION INTO RUSSIAN FORCES ALLEGEDLY KILLING THREE SURRENDERING SOLDIERS.

A WARNING THIS FOOTAGE IS GRAPHIC.

VIDEO OBTAINED BY C-N-N SHOWS UKRAINIAN SOLDIERS APPEARING TO SURRENDER TO ADVANCING RUSSIAN FORCES.

GETTING DOWN ON THEIR KNEES AND PLACING THEIR HANDS ON THEIR HEADS.

MOMENTS LATER– THEIR BODIES ARE SEEN FACEDOWN.

THE UKRAINIAN MILITARY SAYS IT’S JUST ONE OF SCORES OF SIMILAR INCIDENTS REPORTED.

UKRAINE’S PROSECUTOR GENERAL SAID KYIV IS INVESTIGATING ALLEGED EXECUTIONS OF 73 UKRAINIAN PRISONERS AT THE HANDS OF RUSSIAN TROOPS.

THIS ONE TOOK PLACE AFTER RUSSIAN TROOPS ATTACKED A TRENCH USED BY UKRAINIAN FORCES FOR COVER LAST MONTH.

UKRAINE’S FOREIGN MINISTER SPOKESPERSON SAID IN A STATEMENT:

“THIS WAR CRIME IS PART OF RUSSIA’S ONGOING GROSS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN LAW. RUSSIAN BARBARISM IS A DISGRACE TO HUMANITY.”

A U-N INVESTIGATIVE SOURCE SAID THEY BELIEVE THE KILLINGS MAY BE WAR CRIMES AND PART OF ORDERS RUSSIAN SOLDIERS RECEIVED FROM COMMANDERS.

TELLING C-N-N, “THERE ARE MANY. THERE IS A PATTERN. IT SUGGESTS COMPLACENCY, IF NOT ORDERS.” THEY CLAIM THE EXECUTIONS COULD BE A SIGN OF A RUSSIAN POLICY TO SHOW NO MERCY.

ADDING, “THE KILLINGS ARE WAR CRIMES INDIVIDUALLY AND TOGETHER COULD AMOUNT TO CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY.

MOSCOW DENIES IT’S COMMITTED ANY WAR CRIMES.

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FOR STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS– I’M LAUREN TAYLOR.