The General Prosecutor Office of Ukraine has launched an investigation into the execution of three Ukrainian POWs by the Russian invaders near Robotyne, Zaporizhzhia region.

Such information was published on the Office’s website.

“Under the procedural supervision of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor’s Office, criminal proceedings have been initiated on the fact of violation of the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine),” the statement reads.

It is noted that on February 20, 2024, a video of the execution of three Ukrainian defenders taken prisoner by the Russian army was circulated on the web.

The incident took place on February 18, 2024, near the village of Robotyne.

The footage shows three Ukrainian soldiers laying down their weapons and coming out of the trench with their hands raised in the air.

Then the Russians pointed their weapons at them, and the Ukrainians fell to the ground.

According to adjacent units, on February 18, the Russian invaders attacked the village from the south and captured part of a large stronghold where three soldiers of the 3rd “Spartan” Brigade remained.

The Office emphasizes that the killing of prisoners of war is a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions and is classified as a serious international crime.

The pre-trial investigation is being carried out by the SSU Investigation Department in the Zaporizhzhia region.

This is not the first time that Russians have shot Ukrainian prisoners of war since February of this year. Recently, during the retreat from Avdiivka, Russians shot a group of Ukrainian POWs at the Zenit position.

Ukraine has already appealed to the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to clarify the circumstances of the shooting of Ukrainian soldiers who surrendered at the Zenit position in Avdiivka.