UN: Video of killing of Ukrainian soldier ‘could be authentic’

GENEVA: The United Nations said Wednesday it believes a viral video showing the apparent execution of a captured Ukrainian soldier by Russian forces may be authentic.

The video appears to show a detained Ukrainian fighter standing in a shallow ditch and being shot with multiple automatic weapons after he said honor of Ukraine.

“We are aware of this video posted on social media showing a Ukrainian soldier incapacitated (not in combat) apparently executed by Russian forces. Based on a preliminary review, we believe the video may be authentic,” a spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office told AFP.

“Since Russia’s armed attack on Ukraine over a year ago, the UN Human Rights Office has documented numerous violations of international humanitarian law against prisoners of war, including instances of summary executions of both Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war,” she said.

“All of these allegations must be investigated impartially and effectively, and those responsible held accountable.”

Ukraine has vowed to take revenge for the apparent murder, which AFP has not been able to independently verify.

Officials in Kiev blamed Russian forces and called on the International Criminal Court to investigate.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Tuesday that the extent of the destruction caused by Russia’s war in Ukraine will affect the rights of future generations.

Turk branded it a “betrayal” of promises made when universal human rights were established after World War II.

“The war in Ukraine has resulted in appalling civilian casualties and destruction,” Turk said in his keynote speech before the current session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“The rights of Ukrainians will be violated for generations to come.”

Turk is scheduled to continue speaking about the war in Ukraine on March 31.