A shocking video showing what appears to be the brutal beheading of a Ukrainian soldier has sparked outrage across the country. The footage has caused a wave of anger and frustration among Ukrainians who have long been struggling with the ongoing conflict in the east of the country. The video was reportedly shared on social media, and many people have since called for action to be taken against those responsible for the brutal act. With tensions already high, the video has only served to deepen the sense of anger and despair felt by many Ukrainians.
On Wednesday, Ukraine launched an investigation into a disturbing video, allegedly depicting the beheading of a Ukrainian soldier, marking the latest accusation of atrocities believed to have been carried out by Russia since it invaded in February 2022. The video, which spread quickly online, prompted outrage from officials in Kyiv, including President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, and various international organizations. The Kremlin, whilst acknowledging that the video was “horrible,” stated that it needed to be verified before any judgments could be made.
The footage seemingly shows a man wearing a green uniform with a yellow armband. The soldier screams before another man uses a knife to decapitate him. A third man holding up a flak jacket allegedly belonging to the victim films the incident. The three men speak Russian throughout the video. Since Russia’s forces invaded on February 24th, 2022, many reports have emerged of alleged war crimes and widespread abuses committed by the Russian troops, according to the United Nations, rights groups, and The Associated Press. The Ukrainian government has repeatedly condemned Russia of targeting civilian buildings, equipment, and structures and has claimed that the country has committed war crimes.
The International Criminal Court has previously issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for war crimes, citing his responsibility for the abduction of children from Ukraine. Moscow denies accusations of war crimes or that it has attacked civilians.
Ukrainian troops have also faced similar allegations, with videos circulating online in the past showing alleged Ukrainian forces killing Russian troops who reportedly attempted to surrender.
The violence in the latest video prompted President Zelenksiy to comment that the Russian forces would be held accountable. Russian state TV journalist and a member of the Moscow city legislature, Andrei Medvedev, suggested that the video’s release was “fairly opportune” ahead of a planned major counter-offensive by Ukraine, which could help “fire up personnel ideologically.”
The Ukrainian human rights chief declared that he would request that the UN Human Rights Committee investigate the beheading case. Dmytro Lubinets stated that “a public execution of a captive is yet another indication of a breach of Geneva Convention norms, international humanitarian law, a breach of the fundamental right to life.”
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine had previously documented “serious violations of international humanitarian law, including those committed against prisoners of war,” and called for the latest incidents to be appropriately scrutinized.
The war’s front lines have remained frozen for months, with much of the fighting focused around the city of Bakhmut. Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov suggested that forces with the paramilitary Wagner Group had made progress there. Mr. Zelensky previously stated that his troops would retreat if threatened with encirclement. However, elsewhere, regional governor Serhii Lysak reported that at least four civilians were wounded as Russian forces shelled a Ukrainian-held town near the shut-down Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, causing destruction and chaos. In a separate incident, Governor Pavlo Kyrylenko claimed that Russian forces had attacked a town in the eastern Donetsk province with cluster munitions, banned by an international treaty, resulting in one person being wounded.
The video and its content created widespread anger and revulsion among Ukrainians, with the lead singer of the Ukrainian band, Okean Elzy, adding in a post on Facebook, “Every drop of blood on this video is a stain on the Kremlin’s teeth. Every scream is the voice of an innocent person who never wanted this war. Every masked torturer is a Russia tyrant and his supporters. Every one of us is responsible.”
