Expert report alleges systematic abuse of Ukrainian POWs by Russia
Russia is systematically mistreating and killing Ukrainian prisoners of war, an expert report commissioned by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) said on Thursday.
The report, compiled by three independent international law experts from France, the Czech Republic and Sweden, says torture and executions are widespread.
"These violations may constitute war crimes and, in some cases, arguably, crimes against humanity," the experts wrote in their report for the 57-member regional security organization.
The team recommended that the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague investigate the incidents. The ICC is already probing alleged abductions of Ukrainian children and attacks on civilian targets in Ukraine.
According to the report, credible evidence shows the use of rifle butts, shovels, electric shocks and dogs on detainees, while nearly 43% of released POWs report being subjected to sexual violence.
While no definitive number of POW killings outside combat is provided, the OSCE team noted that the UN Human Rights Office had documented credible evidence of 194 battlefield executions to May 2025, alongside reported killings in detention facilities.
The report also cites statements by Russian military commanders and officials urging ruthless treatment of prisoners.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, who is the current deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, was reported as saying: "They have no right to life. Execute, execute, execute."
Since the start of Russia's invasion in February 2022, an estimated 13,500 Ukrainian soldiers have been captured, the report says. Of these, about 6,800 have been released, while 6,300 remain in captivity.
The findings are based on testimony from former prisoners, Ukrainian officials, reports from international organizations, and other evidence. Russia did not cooperate with the investigation.