See the faces of recently captured Russian POWs

Ukrainian paratroopers in cooperation with soldiers from the Ukrainian Defense Forces captured 27 Russian troops during a recent mission in the Kursk region. 

The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces published a video of the captives on its social media and revealed some information about their prisoners of war (POW), which included their faces. 

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The soldiers hailed from all regions of Russia and one prisoner of war even came from Sevastopol, a city in the Russian-occupied territory of Crimea.  

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

All aspects of the Russian Armed Forces were represented among the ranks of the 27 prisoners according to a report from Militarnyi on the video. 

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The captured men included Russian officers, sergeants, and regular soldiers, as well as troops from motorized rifle units, marine soldiers, and airborne troops, as well as many other military units. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

The wide variety of men taken prisoner in Kursk revealed the level of forces committed to the fight, but it also showcased something more interesting. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

Ukraine's Air Assault Forces chose to show the faces of the prisoners. Some were old while many were young. All explained who they were and where they came from. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

Militarnyi reported the captives would replenish Ukraine's exchange fund, which in turn would allow Kyiv to barter the captured Russian soldiers for the return of their own captured troops. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

While few details were given about how Ukrainian forces captured the soldiers, the Air Assault Forces noted the men were caught in a “difficult combat situation" according to a translation from Militarnyi. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

The Russian soldiers ultimately decided to lay down their arms, which the Air Assault Forces noted ultimately “saved their lives."

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

Militarnyi reported that as soon as the men were taken prisoner, the injured were given immediate medical attention by Ukrainian forces. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

The Ukrainian Air Assault Forces called on all Russian troops to surrender and added that Ukrainian forces adhered to the norms of international humanitarian law. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

The message added that Ukrainian forces didn’t destroy those who laid down their arms voluntarily. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of Russian forces. 

Photo Credit: Facebook @uaairborne

While it is difficult to know the number of Ukrainian POWs executed by Russian forces on the battlefield, we do know this has become a common occurrence in recent months. 

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According to BBC News, as of December 2024, Ukrainian authorities have claimed that 147 Ukrainian prisoners of war have been killed by Russian forces since the invasion began. 

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"The upward trend is very clear, very obvious," explained Yuri Belousov, the head of the War Department at the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office according to BBC News. 

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"Executions became systemic from November last year and have continued throughout all of this year,” Belousov said, adding the number had been rising since the summer. 

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