Ukraine Investigates Alleged Beheading of Soldier in Donetsk Region

Ukraine is investigating the suspected beheading of one of its servicemen by Russian forces in an occupied part of the eastern Donetsk region, the Ukrainian general prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday. Russia has not commented on the allegation and has consistently denied its forces commit war crimes during the invasion of Ukraine that began in February 2022.

Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin stated on social media platform X that the beheading of a Ukrainian soldier had been documented in the Donetsk region. According to the general prosecutor's office, the severed head was found on a damaged armored vehicle during aerial reconnaissance.

The office reported that Ukrainian military received information on Monday indicating that a Russian unit in Donetsk region's Volnovaha district had instructed its members not to capture Ukrainian servicemen and to behead them instead.

Kostin noted that Ukraine has recorded nearly 130,000 alleged war crimes committed by Russian forces.

In contrast, some Russian Telegram channels claim that Ukrainian soldiers beheaded a fellow comrade to stage a false flag operation against Russian forces.