Russian troops accused of executing surrendering Ukrainian soldiers in disturbing video

Harrowing video footage of the moment Russian troops allegedly executed surrendering Ukrainian soldiers has emerged.

The Ukrainian military said advancing Russian forces began shooting the unarmed soldiers close to the town of Avdiivka, in eastern Ukraine.

Filmed from above, what appears to be three Russian soldiers aim their weapons at the entrance of a bunker.

A Ukrainian soldier emerges – unarmed, with his hands on his head – and lies down to surrender.

Moments after, a second Ukrainian soldier emerges, taking up the same position of surrender, when suddenly the Russian soldiers shoot them both dead.

It is a war crime to kill or wound a fighter who has given up their weapons and surrendered.

The Russian soldiers are seen aiming their guns at the Ukrainian soldier (Picture: East2West)

Smoke could be seen after the Russian soldiers fired upon the two men (Picture: East2West)

But pro-Russian and Kremlin-linked Telegram channel Rybar posted the video on their channel and commented: ‘In war, unfortunately, they happen, and only a small part gets into the frame.

‘And the reasons are very different, especially in the heat of battle, where the speed of decision-making is a matter of life and death.’

The speaker of Ukraine’s parliament, Ruslan Stefanchuk, posted on X: ‘This is another crime committed by Russian terrorists. Violation of the rules of war. The killing of unarmed soldiers.

‘Russia has once again proved that it is a terrorist country for which there are no laws and norms of international law.’

The Ukrainian prosecutor’s office said they have launched a criminal investigation just hours after the military verified the footage was genuine.

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