SBU opens proceedings over video of execution of Ukrainian soldier

The main investigation department of Ukraine's SBU State Security Service has launched criminal proceedings after footage emerged showing a Ukrainian soldier being shot by the Russians.

Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said this in a Facebook post, Ukrinform reports.

"The video of the brutal and brazen shooting of an unarmed man stunned society today. The SBU's main investigation department registered criminal proceedings under Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – violating the laws and customs of war," he said.

According to him, prosecutors of the Prosecutor General's Office will be engaged in the pre-trial investigation.

"Even war has laws. There are norms of international law that have been systematically neglected by the criminal Russian regime. Any crime will be punished sooner or later. All those involved will be held accountable," Kostin said.

Footage earlier emerged online showing Russian invaders shooting a Ukrainian soldier for the phrase "Glory to Ukraine." It remains unclear where and when the video was shot.

On March 6, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, sent the video to Ukraine's international partners and fellow ombudsmen as an example of yet another Russian war crime.