Ukraine's human rights ombudsman has raised concerns over the alleged execution of several Ukrainian prisoners of war in Russia's Kursk region. According to reports from a Ukrainian battlefield analysis site, Russian troops are said to have shot and killed nine Ukrainian 'drone operators and contractors' on October 10 after they had surrendered. The ombudsman has reached out to international organizations, including the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross, regarding the incident, labeling it as 'another crime committed by the Russians.'
Following these claims, the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office has initiated a criminal investigation into the matter. This comes after previous reports of Russian troops killing 16 captured Ukrainian soldiers in the Donetsk region earlier this month.
On the military front, the Ukrainian air force has reported shooting down 31 of 68 drones launched by Russia overnight in various regions. Additionally, ballistic missiles targeted Odesa and Poltava, while guided air missiles struck Chernihiv and Sumy. Fortunately, there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage from these attacks.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has highlighted the intensity of the conflict, stating that Russia has unleashed a significant number of guided aerial bombs, missiles, and drones against Ukraine in the past week. Zelenskyy has called on Ukraine's allies to provide essential air defense systems and make decisions to support the country's defense efforts.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry has confirmed the downing of 13 Ukrainian drones in border regions, with six each in Belgorod and Kursk, and one in Bryansk.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the situation remains tense, with both sides engaging in military actions. The international community closely monitors the developments in the region as efforts to address the crisis intensify.
For more updates on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, visit AP's coverage.
