Dmytro Lubinets Urges International Bodies to Investigate Claims of Executions by Russian Troops
Ukraine’s human rights ombudsman, Dmytro Lubinets, has called on international organizations to address the alleged execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) in Russia’s Kursk region, where Kyiv had launched an incursion in August. The appeal follows claims made by DeepState, a Ukrainian battlefield analysis site, which reported that nine Ukrainian prisoners—described as “drone operators and contractors”—were shot and killed by Russian forces after surrendering on October 10.
Lubinets sent official letters to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, urging them to investigate what he described as “another crime committed by the Russians.” The Ukrainian Prosecutor-General’s Office has since opened a criminal investigation into the incident.
This claim comes on the heels of another report earlier this month, where Ukrainian authorities accused Russian troops of killing 16 Ukrainian soldiers captured in the Donetsk region. Russian officials have yet to comment on the new allegations.
On the military front, Ukraine’s air force reported that its air defenses successfully shot down 31 out of 68 Russian drones launched at Ukrainian regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, Chernihiv, Sumy, and Cherkasy. Further attacks were thwarted as 36 additional drones were believed to have been electronically jammed. Ukrainian forces also reported that Russian ballistic missiles had struck Odesa and Poltava, while guided air missiles targeted Chernihiv and Sumy.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted the ongoing missile and drone attacks, revealing that Russia had launched nearly 900 aerial bombs, 40 missiles, and 400 drones over the past week. Zelenskyy renewed his appeal to international allies, requesting enhanced air defense systems and long-range weapons to target Russian sites.
In response, Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported shooting down 13 Ukrainian drones across the Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk regions, all of which are located near Ukraine’s border.
