Drone footage shows the apparent execution of two Ukrainian prisoners of war by Russian soldiers near Novoivanovka in the Kursk region. The footage was verified by The New York Times and the Centre for Information Resilience.
A Ukrainian drone pilot who witnessed the event described feelings of rage and a desire for revenge.
The incident highlights concerns about alleged Russian war crimes and the potential lack of accountability. The article notes the US's apparent embrace of Russian talking points in its push for a ceasefire, leading to Ukrainian worries that these allegations may be ignored.
President Trump's stated desire to improve relations with Russia and potentially end or reduce US commitment to Ukraine further fuels Ukrainian anxieties.
On a Monday morning last fall, Ukrainian drone pilots watched what had become a familiar scene unfold on a drone’s live feed: Russian soldiers pointed their guns at two Ukrainians, who seemingly surrendered. Then, the footage showed, the Russians shot them point blank.
The video, provided by a pilot who said he had witnessed the killing on the feed, was verified by The New York Times and the Centre for Information Resilience, a nonprofit organization. It appeared to show the Ukrainian prisoners executed near the village of Novoivanovka in the Kursk region of Russia.
“There were no polite words spoken among us — we were filled with rage and an intense desire for revenge,” said the pilot, 26, who served with the 15th Mobile Border Guard and asked to be identified by his call sign of “One Two” in accordance with military protocol.
As the United States embraces Russian talking points in its push for a cease-fire in Ukraine, many Ukrainians wonder whether allegations of Russian war crimes will simply be forgotten. President Trump has indicated that he would like to re-establish ties with Russia and end the war — or at least, wind down the U.S. commitment to Ukraine made under President Joseph R. Biden Jr.
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