Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
The recording adds to the evergrowing pile of evidence of war crimes committed by Russian troops.
Ukrainian officials and international experts suspect killing of surrendered Ukrainian soldiers to be part of an orchestrated Russian policy.
What is happening?
CNN has released a recording of a radio transmission, alegedly between Russian forces, showing that the Russian soldiers were ordered to kill surrendered Ukrainian soldiers.
Appears to be from Zaporizhzhia
CNN has not been able to independently verify the recording, but experts say it does not seem altered.
It also appears to correspond with drone footage of a suspected execution carried out in Zaporizhzhia in November of 2024.
What is said on the recording?
According to the transcript from the recording, a Russian commander can be heard saying:
“Ask who is the commander. Who is the commander? Ask. Take the commander captive and kill everyone else”.
“You do it”
Four minutes after the initial order, the commander repeats it twice, saying:
“You do it. Take the commander captive, f*** the others.”
“That’s it. Take the senior, get rid the f*** of the others”
Shot in the head
On the drone footage, which has also been obtained by CNN, grainy footage show a Ukrainian soldier gesturing to the Russians.
Moments later, he is shot in the head.
Orchestrated Russian policy?
The Kremlin has repeatedly denied allegations of Russian troops killing surrendered Ukrainian soldiers.
Ukrainian officials and international experts, however, suspect killing of surrendered Ukrainian soldiers to be part of an orchestrated Russian policy.
Probably orders from the President
Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, told CNN, that he has investegated similar suspected executions.
He said that the incidents would not happen i such numbers and frequency (or at least consent) from the highest military commanders,” which in Russia means the Presidency”.
Trouble for Trump
US President Donald Trump is trying to bring a swift conclusion to the war, and exposures like these could complicate this.
