Responding to a video reportedly showing Russian soldiers apparently castrating a Ukrainian prisoner of war, who is gagged with his hands tied behind his back, Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said:

“This horrific assault is yet another apparent example of complete disregard for human life and dignity in Ukraine committed by Russian forces. All those suspected of criminal responsibility must be investigated and, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, prosecuted in fair trials before ordinary civilian courts and without recourse to death penalty.

“Since the start of Russia’s war on Ukraine, Amnesty International has documented crimes under international law, like summary killings of captives by Russia-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine and extrajudicial executions of Ukrainian civilians by Russian forces. 

“International law is clear: prisoners of war must not be subjected to any form of torture or ill-treatment, and should be given immediate access to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The relevant authorities must fully respect the rights of prisoners of war in accordance with the Geneva Conventions.”

Background

According to media reports, the shocking footage was initially posted on a pro-Russian Telegram page before being shared more widely on social media. In the video, a man in a Russian uniform and a black hat uses a blade of some kind to apparently castrate a man in a Ukrainian uniform, who is pinned down with his hands tied behind his back.

Amnesty International’s ongoing documentation of crimes under international law, including war crimes committed during the war in Ukraine is available here.