Disturbing video has emerged that appears to show Russian soldiers executing surrendered Ukrainians on the battlefield.
The Associated Press released the footage on Thursday, claiming it was provided by a European military official on condition of anonymity.
The footage, captured via drone by Ukraine’s 128th Mountain Brigade, shows the gruesome interaction between four Ukrainians and three gunmen bearing Russian military insignia.
In the video, which was reportedly shot in the southern Ukrainian village of Piatykhatky, the four Ukrainian soldiers appear to surrender and then lay down on their stomachs at gunpoint.
The Russian soldiers then, one by one, open fire on the men, with one gunman forced to reload before resuming fire. Finally, one Russian soldier shoots each of the surrendered men in the head.
The anonymous European military official that leaked the video claimed to have received the footage from Ukrainian authorities, according to the Associated Press.
The same footage was subsequently released by the New York Times after the newspaper received the video from a Ukrainian pilot who also requested his identity to be kept anonymous.
Ukrainian officials claim it’s just one instance of Russia’s widespread disregard for the rules of engagement, killing surrendered soldiers and prisoners of war.
Under international law, killing an enemy combatant who has surrendered is considered a war crime.
According to the International Committee of the Red Cross, “an isolated member of the armed forces or members of a formation who surrender are considered hors de combat and must not be made the object of attack.”
Diplomats from the United States and Russia are currently holding their latest round of peace talks in Instanbul, Turkey, after negotiations for a temporary ceasefire fell apart last month.
“Continuing the constructive approach established in the February 27 meeting, the U.S. and Russian delegations exchanged notes to finalize an understanding to ensure the stability of diplomatic banking for Russian and U.S. bilateral missions,” the State Department said in a read-out on Thursday.
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The memo continued, “The United States reiterated its concerns about the Russian Federation’s policy prohibiting the employment of local staff, which is the key impediment to maintaining for stable and sustainable staffing levels at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow.”
Sonata Coulter, deputy assistant secretary of state for Russia and central Europe, is spearheading the mission.
Russia’s side is being led by Aleksandr Darchiyev, the Russian ambassador to the U.S. appointed last month by President Vladimir Putin.