UN chief to launch fact-finding mission into explosion at Olenivka prison

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres will launch a fact-finding mission into an explosion at a prison in Olenivska that killed Ukrainian prisoners of war, mainly from the Azov regiment.

According to Ukrinform's correspondent in New York, Guterres told this to reporters on Wednesday.

He said Ukraine and Russia both requested an investigation, adding that the terms of reference for the mission, which would need agreement from both countries, were being prepared.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric earlier said that the UN had received requests from Ukraine and Russia to conduct an investigation into the tragedy. According to him, the UN is weighing conditions for such an investigation.

On the night of July 29, a powerful explosion occurred in the building where Ukrainian prisoners of war were held in the territory of a former prison in the occupied settlement of Olenivka, Donetsk region. At least 50 POWs were killed.

According to Ukraine's SBU State Security Service, Russian forces could stage a terrorist attack by detonating explosives planted inside the premises.

According to Ukrainian intelligence, mercenaries from the Wagner private military company committed the murder of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka.