Moscow has accused Ukrainian troops of committing war crimes in an occupied Russian village, claiming that 22 civilians, including eight women who were allegedly raped before being executed, were killed between September and November 2024.
The allegations come as Ukraine continues to hold border settlements in the Kursk region of western Russia following a surprise offensive in August. While Ukraine maintains control over parts of the region, Russia has since recaptured several towns.
Russia’s Claims and Ongoing Investigation
On January 19, Russia’s Investigative Committee initially stated that at least seven civilians had been killed in the village of Russkoye Porechnoye, located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the Ukrainian border. However, in an update on Friday, the committee said it was now investigating the deaths of 22 residents.
Among the victims, eight women were allegedly raped before being executed, with their bodies discovered in the basements of multiple homes, according to the committee.
Moscow has blamed five Ukrainian soldiers for the killings, stating that one of them, identified as Yevgeny Fabrisenko, was arrested during fighting in the Kursk region. Russian authorities released a video of Fabrisenko’s interrogation, in which he allegedly confessed to the crimes.
At a press briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the killings, stating:
"First people were tortured, abused, then killed—either by being shot or blown up."
Ukraine Yet to Respond, Independent Verification Unclear
AFP has not been able to independently verify Russia’s claims, and there has been no official response from Ukrainian authorities regarding the allegations.
This latest accusation adds to the cycle of mutual blame between Moscow and Kyiv for atrocities committed during the nearly three-year conflict. Ukraine and its Western allies have long accused Russian forces of war crimes, including the mass killings of civilians in Bucha, a suburb near Kyiv.
In 2022, international media, including AFP journalists, documented evidence of executed Ukrainian civilians, some with their hands tied. Moscow denied the allegations, dismissing them as staged, a claim that was debunked by independent fact-checkers and multiple media outlets.
Rising Tensions Amid War Crimes Allegations
As the war drags on, allegations of atrocities on both sides continue to surface, further escalating tensions. With Russia’s latest accusations and Ukraine’s silence so far, the international community will be watching closely to see if any independent investigations follow.
For now, the conflict in Ukraine remains a battleground of not just military confrontations, but also competing narratives over war crimes and civilian casualties.
