Video footage allegedly showing the torture of Russian prisoners of war is under investigation by the Ukrainian government.
The unverified film appears to show Ukrainian soldiers removing three hooded Russians from a van before shooting them in the legs.
Ukrainian military commander General Valerii Saluzhnyi accused Russia of staging the videos.
“The enemy produces and shares videos of inhumane treatment of alleged ‘Russian prisoners’ by ‘Ukrainian soldiers’ in order to discredit the Ukrainian Defense Forces,” Zaluzhnyi said.
However, the government in Kyiv said it took the allegations of abuse “very seriously” and that an immediate investigation would be launched.
Oleksiy Arestovych, an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said: “We are a European army and we do not mock our prisoners. If that turns out to be true, that is totally unacceptable behavior.”
Arestovych added: “I would like to once again remind all our military, civilian and defense forces that prisoner abuse is a war crime for which there is no amnesty or statute of limitations under military law.”
Oleksander Motuzyanyk, a spokesman for the Ukrainian military, said it was not known who was involved or where the incidents took place.
“At this time, no one can confirm or deny the accuracy of this video,” he said. “It is not known where it is happening or who the participants are.”
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the “monstrous images” would have to be legally examined and those involved held accountable.
Russia’s War in Ukraine: Recent Developments
The footage emerged as Ukrainian forces claimed significant victories on the battlefield on Monday. The local mayor of Irpin said that the town on the northwestern outskirts of Kyiv had been recaptured.
Oleksandr Markushyn said: “We have good news today – Irpin has been freed. We understand that there will be more attacks on our city and we will bravely defend it.”
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the war was turning against the Russians despite weeks of shelling on his city.
He said: “People have started to return to Kharkiv. First and foremost, these are men who took their families to safe places and are now returning to defend their hometown by joining the Territorial Defense Forces. In addition, sometimes entire families return. Now we have the possibility to evacuate people, but there are almost no interested parties.”
He said that at last count the Russians destroyed or damaged 1,177 residential buildings, 53 kindergartens, more than 50 schools and 10 hospitals.
He said: “No matter what, the whole city functions as an integral whole. Volunteers and police officers are delivering humanitarian aid to the scene of the continuous shelling. We are all one and do one thing together. Kharkiv lives and works.”