Kyiv, April 12: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday denounced Russian “beasts” after a video appeared to show the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner, prompting international outrage.
The emergence of the disturbing footage, which AFP was unable to independently verify, sparked fury in Ukraine, with Kyiv saying Russia is “worse than ISIS” –a reference to Islamic State Group.
The UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine also pointed out another video that is spreading online, saying it “shows mutilate bodies of apparent Ukrainian POWs.” It was not clear when and where the video was filmed. Ukrainian authorities said they were trying to identify the victims.
Moscow and Kyiv have repeatedly accused each other of killing prisoners of war since Russian President Vladmir Putin invaded Ukraine more than a year ago. A number of videos alleging to show POW killings have made the rounds on the internet over the past year. Following the emergence of a new video, Zelensky said in an address posted to social media that “the world must see” what he called an “execution of a Ukrainian captive”
“There is something that no one in the world can ignore; how easily these beasts kill” the grim-faced Ukrainian leader said. “We won’t forget anything nor will we forgive murderers,” he added.
Zelensky urged the world leaders to act and help Ukraine defeat Russia as Kyiv forces prepare a counter-offensive after months-long stalemate on the battle-field. “We need to act now” the Ukrainian President said. The video which lasts around one minute 40 seconds shows a masked man in camouflage decapitating another man in uniform.
Meanwhile, US seem to be skeptical of Kyiv’s ability to make gains in upcoming counter-offensive.
“The United States has serious concerns about Ukraine’s ability to make significant gains in an upcoming counter-offensive, as well as Kyiv’s capacity to keep defending against Russia strikes,” says a document accessed and reviewed by the AFP.
Ukraine is expected to launch an attack on invading Russian troops in the spring – its first major military push of the year.
EOM
