SSU shows interrogation of Russian who shot nine Ukrainian POWs

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has documented a confession by a serviceman of the Russian armed forces who, together with an accomplice, shot nine Ukrainian prisoners of war during fighting in Russia's Kursk region.

The SSU published a video of the interrogation on its website, Ukrinform reports.

According to the report, the war crime was committed by Sergei Skobelev, a serviceman of Russia's 155th Separate Brigade of the Pacific Fleet. As the commander of an assault group, in October 2024 he received an order to attack positions of the Defense Forces of Ukraine in the Kursk region. Skobelev's unit caught a group of Ukrainian soldiers by surprise, and as a result of the battle, nine of them were taken prisoner.

The captives were forced to undress and lie on the ground. To calm them and prevent resistance, they were promised transfer for a prisoner exchange. However, on the order of his commander, Skobelev and his accomplice shot all nine captured Ukrainian servicemen with standard-issue weapons.

The Russian assault troops collected the radios and mobile phones of the dead and continued combat operations.

A week later, Skobelev himself was captured by the Defense Forces of Ukraine. At first, the invader did not confess to the crime, but after the SSU gathered the necessary evidence, he personally admitted his guilt.

The Security Service of Ukraine emphasizes that the crime committed by the Russian invader constitutes a grave violation of the Geneva Conventions and other international documents that define the rules for the treatment of prisoners of war.

A large body of evidence has been collected against the suspect, and he is being prepared for formal notification of suspicion.

"The perpetrator will face appropriate severe punishment," the SSU stated.

As Ukrinform previously reported, intelligence intercepted orders from Russian commanders to kill Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Photo: screenshot from the video