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A senior Ukrainian government official is calling out Russian forces for decapitating a Ukrainian service member after he was captured.
On Tuesday, Andriy Kostin, prosecutor general of Ukraine, called the act “terrible barbarism that has no place in the 21st century.”
Ukrainian forces this week spotted one of their damaged armored cars while conducting aerial reconnaissance of combat locations in the disputed Donetsk region. They found physical evidence that a Ukrainian soldier had been decapitated, officials said.
“We have received information that Russian commanders have ordered not to take Ukrainian soldiers as prisoners but to kill them with inhuman cruelty — by decapitation,” Mr. Kostin said on X. “War crimes committed by the aggressor are not isolated incidents but a planned strategy of the Russian regime.”
He said the order to carry out the act was given by a Russian army battalion commander.
“We will not let these crimes go unpunished. I call on the entire civilized world to isolate the terrorist state and bring it to justice,” Mr. Kostin said.
He said Ukraine tentatively identified the beheaded soldier and will disclose the name after confirmation.
“We have also identified Russian commanders potentially responsible for the beheading of the Ukrainian defender. This information is currently undergoing verification,” Mr. Kostin said on X.
He said the incident demonstrates Russia’s disregard for international laws and human morals.
“Every world leader who shakes hands with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin must realize that he is shaking hands with a person who tolerates barbaric murders,” Mr. Kostin said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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