Volodymyr Zelensky denounces “the execution of a Ukrainian prisoner” following the broadcast of a beheading video
Since yesterday, pro-Russian Telegram accounts have been broadcasting a video showing the execution by beheading of a man in uniform, wearing a yellow armband, who could be a Ukrainian prisoner of war, lying on the ground in a forest. At this stage, the origin and authenticity of these images could not be verified. In a message on Telegram accompanied by a video, on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelensky denounced “the execution of a Ukrainian prisoner” with reference to these images, without giving further details. The Ukrainian president criticized, presumably referring to Russian soldiers, “the ease with which these beasts kill”before continuing: “We are not going to forget anything. We are also not going to forgive the murderers. »
Footage shows a man, in camouflage with no visible insignia and a strip of white cloth on his leg – a symbol commonly associated with the Russian military and pro-Russian fighters – beheading the man lying on the ground in the means of a knife. Several other people around them encourage the man with the knife, and one of them launches, at the end of the sequence: “Pack it up! [ponctué d’un juron], and send it to the commander. » The immediate environment of the scene – vegetation, sunshine – seems to indicate that the video could have been shot several months ago.
According to independent online media The Insiderthe video appeared on the Telegram channel of Vladislav Pozdnyakov, leader of a Russian far-right formation. Oleh Tsarevthe Ukrainian separatist leader of Novorossia (New Russia) condemned this video: “Cutting off a prisoner’s head is a crime. Filming it is stupid. And for those posting all of this on the Net, I can’t find any definition. »
Dmytro Kuleba, the Ukrainian foreign minister, posted a comment on Twitter : “It is absurd that Russia, which is worse than ISIS, chairs the United Nations Security Council. » The Ukrainian Security Service announced the opening of an investigation after this video was released.