Russian Soldiers In Donbas Executed Ukrainians Who Wanted To Surrender. This Is A Major Violation Of Military Principles

The United States have credible information that Russian troops in Donbas have executed Ukrainians who wanted to surrender. This was stated at the UN by the Special Envoy for International Criminal Law, Beth Van Schaack.

"We have credible information that a Russian military unit operating near Donetsk has, instead of capturing them, executed Ukrainians who tried to surrender" Van Schaack said on Wednesday.

"If these reports are confirmed, it would be a violation of the basic principle of a military ban on the mass execution of civilians and fighters who are excluded from combat due to surrender, injury or other form of incapacity,"  the US ambassador continued.

According to her, Washington  also has credible reports from Ukraine, on executions of civilians in custody, signs of torture on the bodies of the victims, as well as horrific sexual violence against women and girls.

"Footage and reports of this kind suggest that the atrocities (committed in Ukraine) are not the result of the actions of some units or individuals who have 'broken out of the chain.' Rather, they reveal a deeply disturbing pattern of systematic ill-treatment in all areas where Russian forces operate," she said.

"Our message to the Russian military and political leadership is this - the world sees (what is happening) and you  will be held responsible (for your actions)," Van Schaack added. According to her, the United States supports investigations into the atrocities in Ukraine by the International Criminal Court, the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

The US ambassador to the UN stressed that evidence of Russian crimes in Ukraine is growing every day.