Ukrainian law enforcement agencies are conducting an in-depth investigation into the mass crimes committed by Russian occupiers against Ukrainian prisoners of war
According to recent reports, the number of Ukrainian defenders executed has reached 268, most of whom were eliminated either before or during the fighting, with some victims at the brutal Olenivka prison. This has caused significant concern among human rights defenders and national investigative bodies, who are striving to establish the truth and bring those responsible to justice. This was stated in an interview with Ukrinform by Yuriy Belousov, head of the Department for Combating Crimes in Conditions of Armed Conflict at the Office of the Prosecutor General. He emphasized that law enforcement has been closely monitoring the situation with the mass executions of Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian invaders. "We have confirmed that 268 of our compatriots were deliberately destroyed by the occupiers. Of these, 208 prisoners were shot on the battlefield, and 59 in the notorious Olenivka prison. This is a systematic crime, and we are already actively working on its investigation," he said. The increasing number of such crimes is particularly alarming. In 2023, there were only 11 cases of executed Ukrainian POWs, but by 2024, this number had risen to 149. In the first months of 2025, investigators documented an additional 51 incidents. These figures indicate a systematic and regular pattern of malicious actions by the occupation forces. Belousov notes that Ukrainian courts have already handed down the first convictions of military criminals, including three Russian servicemen sentenced for participating in executions. However, investigations are still ongoing, and law enforcement officials are diligently uncovering those involved in these crimes. Moreover, several Russian military personnel are currently under investigation for their suspected involvement in systematic violations of prisoners' rights. A separate focus of the investigation is the tragedy at the Olenivka prison, where a powerful explosion occurred, causing the mass death of people — nine prisoners died immediately. According to Belousov, Ukrainian investigators have already announced suspicion against the facility’s director and his deputy, who, according to preliminary data, failed to take necessary measures to provide medical assistance after the explosion. "We believe that their actions or negligence significantly contributed to the losses. Concerning the organization of the explosion itself — this crime is still under investigation and is one of our priorities. We aim to establish all circumstances and hold those responsible accountable," he added. Overall, the investigation into identifying and prosecuting those responsible for crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war continues with full seriousness. It is important to remember that these abuses and acts of brutality will not go unpunished — regardless of which country or individual is behind these crimes. Ukraine insists on bringing those responsible to justice, and the human rights community calls on the international society not to remain indifferent to these horrific facts, which deeply shock all who value human rights and justice.