Intercepted Russian Order Calls for Brutal Killings of Ukrainian POWs

Ukrainian military intelligence (HUR) reported that it intercepted a Russian order instructing troops to carry out brutal acts against Ukrainian prisoners of war.

According to a HUR statement released Saturday, July 12 on Telegram, the order was issued by a field commander in Russia’s 155th Separate Marine Brigade of the Pacific Fleet on July 2. The intercepted communication reportedly included the instructions: “Cut off the head, impale it on a pike, throw it the f**k away.”

The 155th, which HUR describes as “one of Vlaimir Putin’s favorite units”  has been linked to multiple alleged war crimes such as executions and torture, including during Russia’s occupation of the Kyiv region. The unit is currently operating in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region, the statement reads.

The brigade has been showcased at high-profile events, including a December 2024 year-end press conference where its flag was displayed. Despite this, the unit has faced repeated losses and has relied on mobilized recruits for reinforcement, according to Ukrainian officials.

On July 2, Ukraine’s Defense Forces reportedly killed the brigade’s commander, Col. Serhii Ilyin, in a strike on the unit’s headquarters in Russia’s Kursk region.

As of early July, there were confirmed reports of at least 268 Ukrainian prisoners of war executed by Russian forces, according to Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraine’s human rights commissioner.

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