Russian Deserter Confesses to Killing Ukrainian POWs: Reactions and Debate
According to an interview with the Polish-Belarusian media outlet Vot Tak, a 31-year-old Russian serviceman confessed to participating in the May 2024 execution of five captured Ukrainian soldiers in Donetsk Oblast. The Ukrainian soldiers, allegedly captured near Avdiivka, were reportedly shot in the back of the head after being stripped of their belongings. The Russian serviceman, identified as Ivan Okhlopkov, stated he and others in his battalion carried out the executions under orders, and he currently is in hiding in Donetsk. This confession comes amid growing concerns from Ukraine and the U.N. over the increasing number of executed Ukrainian POWs, with accusations of a systematic policy by Russia to murder captives.
John Q. Hosedrinker