SSU is currently investigating execution of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian forces, — Shvets
The executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian occupiers are systematic and widespread. In fact, they are sanctioned by the Russian Federation’s political leadership.
Andrii Shvets, head of the SSU's Main Investigation Department, made this statement in an interview with Censor.NET.
Details
"From February 2022 to April 2026, 116 criminal cases have been under investigation regarding the executions of 306 Ukrainian prisoners of war on the battlefield.
"The most widespread and brutal cases of extrajudicial executions of our servicemen have been recorded in the Kursk and Donetsk sectors. The most brutal methods of execution (mass shootings, beheadings, dismemberment) have also been observed there," he noted.
Shvets emphasized that the extrajudicial executions of our servicemen by Russian Armed Forces personnel are systematic and widespread, and are in fact sanctioned by the aggressor’s political leadership.
"Indeed, following the launch of the 'Kursk' operation in 2024, the President of the Russian Federation stated in a speech that all Ukrainian servicemen participating in this operation are terrorists and must be physically eliminated. Such actions by the aggressor’s military personnel were subsequently rewarded by the Russian military leadership for their actual commission of war crimes," explained the head of the SSU’s Main Investigation Department.
According to Shvets, as of April 15, 2026, nine servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces have been notified of charges against them. Indictments against seven individuals have been filed with the court, and five have already been convicted.
Read the full text of the interview with Shvets, head of the SSU’s Main Investigation Department, for Censor.NET here.
