Avdiivka: Russia accused of executing prisoners of war after Ukraine withdraws - BBC News

The BBC speaks to relatives after video shows bodies of soldiers who are believed to have surrendered.

13 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingRelated TopicsWar in UkraineImage source, Cultural ForcesImage caption, The body of Andriy Dubnytsky was later identified in a video posted online by RussiansBy Abdujalil Abdurasulov BBC News, KyivLast week, Ukrainian forces surrendered the eastern city of Avdiivka, which they had for months been desperately defending against a brutal Russian onslaught.

The conquest of Avdiivka represents a strategic and symbolic victory for Russia, strengthening its defence of the regional capital, Donetsk, and potentially opening up avenues for further offensives against Ukrainian-held territory.

Ukrainian commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi says he ordered a retreat from the city in order to save soldiers' lives.

Now evidence of possible war crimes has emerged, as relatives of six soldiers found dead following the takeover of the city say they were executed after surrendering. Ukrainian authorities are investigating. Moscow has not yet commented.

The BBC has spoken to Ukrainian soldiers who withdrew from Avdiivka. Their testimony paints a picture of unresponsive commanders who refused their troops' desperate pleas to retreat as they were encircled by Russian troops.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-68338550

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