Ukraine Accuses Russia of Hundreds of POW Executions; Strikes on Russian Fleet Continue

Ukraine Accuses Russia of Hundreds of POW Executions

Kyiv has stated that the Russian army has been deliberately executing hundreds of Ukrainian prisoners of war since 2022. The exact number of victims is unknown, but a Ukrainian intelligence official told AFP that they have tracked "more than 900 military personnel" killed in "more than 340" incidents. This may represent 25-40% of all cases. A UN report in June cited 129 verified executions. Andriy Atamantchuk from Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said 116 investigations have been opened into the killings of 306 Ukrainian servicemen. Moscow denies the allegations.

Continued Strikes on Russian Fleet and Oil Industry

Russia's transport ministry admitted it may have to divert cargo traffic away from the Sea of Azov as Ukraine continues pounding Russian shipping. The commander of Ukraine's drone forces said on Tuesday that Ukraine had hit "116 vessels over the past nine days," including several tankers and cargo ships. Ukraine also struck two oil refineries in Bashkortostan and Krasnodar regions, causing fires at the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat and Afipsky refineries. Russian authorities confirmed the fires.

Power Restrictions in Sevastopol

Sevastopol, one of the largest cities in Russian-occupied Crimea, is limiting power supplies after Ukrainian attacks. Electricity will be supplied for two hours, followed by six-hour outages. Crimea had already introduced gasoline restrictions due to fuel shortages.

Air Defense and Diplomacy

Ukraine's air defenses shot down five of eight ballistic missiles and 108 of 135 drones overnight. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russian attacks damaged 16 sites in Kyiv, injured seven in Kharkiv, and three in Chernihiv. He called on European allies to pass the latest sanctions package. Kyrgyzstan's government on Tuesday indefinitely banned exports of gasoline, diesel, and oil in response to fuel shortages in Russia.

Ukrainian Soldiers in Paris Military Parade

Ukrainian troops marched in the Bastille Day parade in Paris, receiving the biggest cheers. Zelenskyy watched alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. Ukraine's Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko formally resigned as part of a government reshuffle.