The film, which has not been verified, appears to show Ukrainian soldiers pulling three hooded Russians out of a van before shooting them in the leg. Ukrainian military commander General Valerii Zaluzhnyi has accused Russia of directing the videos. “The enemy is producing and sharing videos of the inhumane treatment of alleged ‘Russian prisoners’ by ‘Ukrainian soldiers’ in order to discredit the Ukrainian defense forces,” Zaluzny said. However, the government in Kyiv said it was taking the allegations of ill-treatment “very seriously” and that there would be an immediate investigation. Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said: “We are a European army and we do not make fun of our prisoners. “If this proves to be true, it is completely unacceptable behavior.” Arestovic added: “I would like to remind all our military, political and defense forces once again that the abuse of prisoners is a war crime that has no amnesty under martial law and no statute of limitations.” Oleksander Motuzyanyk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian army, said they did not know who was involved or where the incidents took place. “At the moment, no one can confirm or deny the veracity of this video,” he said. “It is not known where it is happening or who the participants are.” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peshkov said the “monstrous images” should be legally assessed and held accountable. Russia’s war in Ukraine: latest developments The video emerged as Ukrainian forces scored significant victories on the battlefield on Monday, with the local mayor of Irpin saying the city, located in the northwestern suburbs of Kiev, had been recaptured. Oleksandr Markushyn said: “We have good news today – Irpin has been released. We understand that there will be more attacks in our city and we will defend it with courage. “ In Kharkov, the mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the war was being waged against the Russians despite the fact that his city had been bombed for weeks. He said: “People are starting to return to Kharkov. First of all, these are men who have moved their families to safer places and are now returning to defend their city, joining the territorial defense forces. In addition, sometimes even whole families return. “Now we have the opportunity to evacuate people, but there are almost no recipients.” He said that in the last count, the Russians had destroyed or destroyed 1,177 residential buildings, 53 kindergartens, more than 50 schools and 10 hospitals. He said: “Whatever happens, the whole city functions as an integral whole. Volunteers and police are delivering humanitarian aid to the site of the incessant bombing. We are all one and create a common goal. “Kharkiv lives and works.”
