Outrage Grows Over Video Showing Ukrainian ‘Soldier Being Beheaded’

In the most recent charge of Russian atrocities since its invasion in February 2022, Ukraine has opened an investigation into a graphic video that allegedly depicts the killing of a Ukrainian soldier.

International organizations and Kyiv officials, including President Volodymyr Zelensky, expressed outrage over the video, which spread quickly online.

Although describing the video as “awful,” the Kremlin insisted that it be authenticated.

The legitimacy of the video and the details around when and where it was shot were unable to be independently verified by The Associated Press.

The video appears to show a man wearing a yellow wristband, which is normally worn by Ukrainian fighters, while dressed in green combat fatigues. Before another man in disguise decapitates him with a knife, his screams are heard.

A third man displays what appears to be the beheaded man’s flak jacket. The three guys all speak Russian.

The United Nations, rights organizations, and reporting by the AP have all claimed that since Russian soldiers invaded on February 24, 2022, they have engaged in widespread atrocities and are accused of war crimes.

The images of hundreds of dead civilians in the streets and mass graves in Bucha after Russian forces withdrew from the city horrified the world. Ukraine has repeatedly accused Russia of targeting apartment buildings and other civilian structures and equipment in its strikes.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, is the subject of an arrest order by the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes, including the kidnapping of children from Ukraine.

The Kremlin disputes that it has engaged in war crimes or targeted civilians.

A video that was circulating online allegedly showed Ukrainian forces killing Russian troops who may have been trying to surrender, according to Moscow. Ukrainian troops have also been accused of mistreating civilians. Last year, Kyiv announced that it would look into the claim.

Zelenksy declared that Russian forces would be held accountable and that the violence in the most recent video would not be forgotten.

“Everyone must react, every leader. Do not expect that it will be forgotten, that time will pass,” he started.

The footage was “horrible,” according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, but it needed to be validated.

In a conference call with reporters, he stated, “In the world of fakes we live in, the authenticity of the footage must be checked.”

According to a statement from Vasyl Maliuk, the SBU’s head, the state security service of Ukraine has started an inquiry.

According to Hanna Maliar, the deputy head of the Defence Ministry, authorities are looking into the footage to find both the perpetrators and the victim.

The distribution of the video, according to Andrei Medvedev, a journalist for Russian state television and member of the Moscow city council, was “quite appropriate” for the Ukrainian army since it may “fire up personnel ideologically” before a big counteroffensive that is scheduled.

The distribution of the movie was linked to the anticipated offensive by Mr. Zelensky’s advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, who added that it was intended to “demoralize the public mood or at least change the psychological perception of the war right now.”

The UN Human Rights Committee will be asked to look into the matter, according to Ukraine’s human rights commissioner.