Ukrainian prisoner of war named as he's hailed a martyr for saying ‘glory to Ukraine’ before being executed by Russians
7 March 2023, 08:18 | Updated: 7 March 2023, 12:32
Horrific clip shows moment Ukrainian soldier is brutally executed
A Ukrainian prisoner of war gunned down by Russian troops in cold blood has been named after a clip of the incident was condemned by Kyiv as further evidence of war crimes.
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In footage circulated online, the man smokes a cigarette and says ‘glory to Ukraine’ before being cut down in a hail of bullets.
He was named as Tymofiy Shadura by the Ukrainian military on Tuesday, having been missing since February 3.
In his final moments, filmed in a clearing in a forest, in front of Russian guns, he says “Slava Ukraini,” the nation’s war motto, before being shot dead.
His killers state: “You’re a b***. Die b***”.
Before Mr Shadura was named, his sister said he "never hid the truth in his life" and was "capable" of making such a stand.
"My brother would certainly be capable of standing up to the Russians like that," she told the BBC.
"He never hid the truth in his life and certainly wouldn't do so in front of the enemy."
Mr Shadura was last seen near the eastern city of Bakhmut, the 30th Separate Mechanised Brigade said.
A statement added: "Currently, the body of our serviceman is in the temporarily occupied territory."
Zelensky speaks out after video emerges of brutal execution of Ukrainian soldier
Andriy Yermak, Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, said: “There will be retribution for every such war crime. No one can hide from her. We will find everyone.”
It is unclear which unit the man belonged to, or where the incident took place and the clip has yet to be independently verified but the video is being widely shared by members of Ukraine’s armed forces.
Russian troops have reportedly been ordered to kill Ukrainian prisoners.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the incident in his evening address: “Today, a video appeared of the occupiers brutally killing a soldier, who bravely said to their faces: 'Glory to Ukraine!’.”
Ukraine's foreign minister urged the International Criminal Court to probe the footage.
“Horrific video of an unarmed Ukrainian POW executed by Russian forces merely for saying 'Glory to Ukraine'. Another (piece of) proof this war is genocidal,' Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote.
He said it was 'imperative' that International Criminal Court Prosecutor Karim Khan “launches an immediate ICC investigation into this heinous war crime”.
“Perpetrators must face justice,” he added.
