Rising Executions of Surrendering and Captured Ukrainian Soldiers

The UN documented an "alarming rise" in summary executions of Ukrainian soldiers who had surrendered or were already in Russian custody — 79 executions across 24 separate incidents since August 2024 alone, and at least 32 in just three months over the 2023–24 winter. Associated Press analysis of a Ukrainian drone video showed Russian-uniformed soldiers shooting four surrendered Ukrainian soldiers at close range, methodically finishing off each man on the ground. The UN also recorded public calls by Russian officials and military-linked social media accounts for troops to take no prisoners at all. Separately, footage of Wagner Group mercenaries killing their own deserters with sledgehammers — including Yevgeny Nuzhin in November 2022, publicised and praised by Wagner founder Yevgeny Prigozhin — illustrated the broader culture of extrajudicial killing running through Russia's war effort.