Ukraine Investigates Claim of a Soldier's Beheading by Russian Forces

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced on Tuesday, June 18, that it is investigating the beheading of one of its soldiers by Russian forces in the eastern occupied region of Donetsk. Russia, which has repeatedly denied allegations of committing war crimes since its military invasion of Ukraine, has remained silent regarding this Ukrainian claim. Andriy Kostin, the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, wrote on his social media account on 'X': 'The beheading of a Ukrainian defender in the Donetsk region has been recorded.' The Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine also stated that during an aerial reconnaissance operation in the area, the severed head of a Ukrainian soldier was identified in a damaged armored vehicle. According to the Ukrainian army, they received information indicating that one of the Russian army commanders in the 'Volnovakha' area ordered his men not to take Ukrainian defenders captive and to behead them on the spot. Reuters cannot independently verify Ukraine's claim and the authenticity of the video released by Kyiv. According to the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, about 130,000 war crimes committed by Russian forces in the country have been recorded. Earlier last year, Kyiv also accused Russia of executing a captured Ukrainian sniper when he said 'Glory to Ukraine' in a video posted on social media. Moscow has not commented on this Ukrainian claim. The President of the United States: NATO is now stronger than ever in deterring Russia in Europe. NATO Chief: We are consulting on nuclear weapons 'readiness.' Leaders of 80 countries at a peace summit: Preserving Ukraine's territorial integrity should be the basis for a peace agreement with Russia. The U.S., NATO, and Ukraine rejected Putin's ceasefire conditions. Increased NATO role in coordinating support for Ukraine; Zelensky: Putin's approach is similar to Hitler's.