Ukraine: EU condemns latest Russian atrocities

The European Union on Friday condemned “in the strongest possible terms the atrocities committed by the Russian armed forces and their proxies”.

A statement issued by EU High Representative Josep Borrell said Russia’s ongoing illegitimate and unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and its people brought further horrific atrocities day by day. 

“Today in Olenivka, in eastern Ukraine, Russia is reported to have killed dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war, including defenders of Mariupol’s Azovstal steel plant, who surrendered to Russia, were registered by the ICRC in May and were in Russia’s legal protection under international humanitarian law. Evidence in form of appalling video footage has been widely shared on pro-Kremlin social networks today, in which Russian soldiers commit a heinous atrocity against a Ukrainian prisoner of war.” 

Borrell added: “These inhumane, barbaric acts represent severe breaches of the Geneva conventions and their Additional Protocol and amount to war crimes.” 

The perpetrators of war crimes and other serious violations, as well as the responsible government officials and military representatives, will be held accountable, the statement said. 

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