Newly surfaced intercepted radio transmissions and drone footage appear to reveal chilling evidence of Russian commanders ordering the execution of surrendering Ukrainian troops in violation of international law.
Drone footage obtained by CNN (COURTESY)
The intercepted communications, obtained by CNN from a Ukrainian intelligence source, reportedly capture a Russian commander instructing his soldiers to “take the commander captive and kill everyone else.” These transmissions are believed to correspond to a drone video from November 2024 in Ukraine’s eastern Zaporizhzhia region. The footage shows six Ukrainian soldiers lying face down, at least two are shot at point-blank range while another is taken away. Ukrainian prosecutors are investigating the incident and examining the radio evidence as part of a wider war crimes probe.
CNN has not independently verified the authenticity of the recordings or confirmed a direct link between the audio and the video. However, forensic audio expert Robert Maher found no indication of manipulation, and a Western intelligence official deemed the recordings credible and consistent with past Russian conduct.
Morris Tidball-Binz, the United Nations’ special rapporteur on extrajudicial executions, stated that such killings likely reflect a systematic policy authorized at the highest levels of Russian command. “They would not happen with such numbers and frequency without orders—or at least consent, from the highest military commanders, which in Russia means the Presidency,” he said.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has identified the Russian “Storm unit” of the 394th Motorized Rifle Regiment as responsible for the November incident, linking it to other war crimes including the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner. The Prosecutor General’s office has opened 75 investigations into the suspected executions of 268 Ukrainian POWs since 2022, with cases rising significantly in 2024.
The radio recordings, intercepted during a 26-minute window, document at least six commands to kill. In the most damning moment, the commander demands, “Take the senior, get rid of the others.” Moments later, drone footage shows a masked soldier executing a prone Ukrainian and leading another away. The voice then confirms over the radio: “We killed the f**king others.”
The incident adds to mounting evidence of deliberate executions and follows similar footage published last year near Pokrovsk. Ukrainian officials and human rights experts believe such acts are part of a broader psychological warfare campaign. “Violence breeds violence,” said Bohdan Okhrimenko of Ukraine’s POW Coordination Headquarters, stressing Ukraine’s commitment to lawful treatment of Russian captives.
The Russian Defense Ministry has not commented on the latest allegations, but Moscow has consistently denied war crimes, claiming adherence to international law.
If substantiated, the incident could further complicate peace efforts and deepen scrutiny of Russian conduct in Ukraine’s ongoing war.
Written By Rodney Mbua
