A Russian soldier has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the execution of an unarmed Ukrainian prisoner of war in Zaporizhzhia. The prosecution proved his guilt in violating the laws and customs of war, combined with intentional murder (part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). 

Today, the court issued a verdict – life imprisonment.

It was established that on January 6, 2024, a shooter from the assault squad "Storm-V" of the 218th tank regiment of the 127th motorized rifle division of the 5th army of the Eastern Military District of the Russian Armed Forces shot a Ukrainian prisoner of war during battles near the village of Pryyutne in the Polohy district.

According to the prosecutor, the Ukrainian defender emerged from the dugout unarmed, raised his hands, and clearly indicated that he was surrendering. At the demand of the Russian soldier, he knelt down – and at that moment, the occupier opened fire with an automatic weapon. The Ukrainian warrior died on the spot. 

On the same day, after the counteroffensive actions of the Ukrainian army, the Russian soldier was captured and handed over to law enforcement.

It should be noted that the Russian soldier had multiple convictions in Russia. To avoid punishment for theft, he signed a contract with the Russian Armed Forces in November 2023 and was sent to fight in the Zaporizhzhia direction.

The pre-trial investigation was conducted by investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region.