Ukraine – Family’s Loss Highlights Ongoing Allegations Over Prisoner Killings in War
Ukraine –The death of a young Ukrainian soldier has become part of a wider investigation into allegations that captured troops have been unlawfully killed during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Ukrainian authorities and international organizations continuing to examine reported incidents.
When Lyudmyla Dubnytska last spoke with her husband, Andriy Dubnytsky, he feared that Russian forces were about to take him prisoner. Within two days, she identified him in a video circulating on social media that showed the bodies of several Ukrainian soldiers. A distinctive cross tattoo on one of the victims confirmed to her that her husband had died.
Dubnytsky, who was 25 years old, served with Ukraine’s 110th Brigade. According to Ukrainian officials, he was killed in February 2024 during the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Avdiivka, a city in eastern Ukraine that became one of the war’s fiercest battlegrounds before coming under Russian control.
Final Contact Before the Battle Ended
According to his wife, Andriy had been injured while attempting to retreat alongside several fellow soldiers, many of whom were also wounded. The group reportedly remained at their position while hoping for evacuation despite the worsening military situation.
Lyudmyla recalled that during their final phone conversation on February 15, her husband sounded frightened and emotional. To encourage each other during the uncertain moment, they spoke about their future plans, including having a son to join their young daughter after the war.
A few hours later, he sent a message saying he believed they would likely be captured. After that, all communication stopped.
Videos Become Part of the Investigation
Ukrainian media later published footage that appeared to show one of Dubnytsky’s fellow soldiers, Ivan Zhytnyk, speaking with a relative through a video call before being instructed by a Russian soldier to surrender.
Shortly afterward, another video shared on Russian social media displayed five bodies lying in a frozen, blood-covered area. It was in that recording that Lyudmyla recognized her husband.
Ukraine’s 110th Brigade later confirmed the deaths of several soldiers, including Dubnytsky and Zhytnyk, while alleging that Russian forces violated an agreement intended to allow their evacuation. Ukrainian prosecutors subsequently launched an investigation into the reported killing of unarmed prisoners of war.
Ukraine Reports Rising Number of Cases
Ukrainian officials say the incident reflects a broader pattern that has become increasingly common since 2023. Prosecutors argue that the alleged executions indicate more than isolated battlefield events and claim they may represent a systematic practice.
Officials from Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office told AFP that investigations have been opened into 116 separate cases involving the deaths of 306 Ukrainian service members since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. However, they believe the actual number may be considerably higher because many incidents occur in areas that remain inaccessible.
A Ukrainian intelligence official, speaking anonymously, estimated that more than 900 military personnel may have been killed in over 340 separate incidents. Authorities explained that differences between official investigative records and intelligence estimates are mainly due to varying methods of collecting and verifying information.
International Reports and Russia’s Response
A recent United Nations report documented 129 verified cases involving the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war and noted a significant increase in such incidents. The organization previously expressed concern over what it described as a marked rise in reported cases.
Russian authorities did not respond to AFP’s request for comment regarding the latest allegations. Moscow has consistently rejected accusations of war crimes throughout the conflict while also accusing Ukraine of committing similar violations.
Under the Geneva Conventions, combatants who clearly surrender are recognized as prisoners of war and are entitled to legal protections against violence and mistreatment.
Ongoing Search for Accountability
Ukrainian investigators have also examined other alleged cases involving severe violence against captured soldiers. Officials believe that collecting evidence remains one of the greatest challenges because many locations where incidents occurred are still active combat zones.
According to prosecutors, only five Russian soldiers have so far been convicted in Ukrainian courts in connection with such cases, including two who were sentenced in absentia.
For investigators, identifying those responsible remains an important objective. However, for Lyudmyla Dubnytska, knowing who killed her husband would not ease the pain of her loss.
Speaking through tears, she said discovering the identity of the person responsible would not bring comfort or change what had happened to her family.