Ukraine hunts Russian killers of unarmed smoking soldier

Ukraine has vowed to find the Russian troops who seemingly killed an unarmed Ukrainian captive of war, aft footage appeared online.

"We volition find the murderers," President Volodymyr Zelensky said precocious connected Monday.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba called for an "immediate investigation" by the International Criminal Court.

In the video, the Ukrainian worker is seen smoking a cigaret successful a trench. He says "glory to Ukraine" earlier being changeable with automatic weapons.

One of the Russian soldiers - not seen successful the clip - is past heard saying "die" and utilizing an expletive.

The BBC has not verified wherever and erstwhile the footage was made. It archetypal emerged connected societal media connected Monday.

Neither the Ukrainian captive of warfare (POW) nor the killers person been identified, but the BBC has learned helium was successful the 30 Brigade.

Russia has not commented.

Kyiv and its Western allies person accused Russian troops of committing wide warfare crimes since President Vladimir Putin launched a afloat scale-invasion of Ukraine connected 24 February 2022. Russia denies the allegations.

In his video address, President Zelensky said "the occupiers" killed "a warrior who bravely said to their faces: 'Glory to Ukraine!'"

"I privation america each to respond to his words together, successful unity: 'Glory to the Hero! Glory to the Heroes! Glory to Ukraine!'"

Mr Zelensky was referring to a conflict outcry successful Ukraine's subject that has go fashionable among millions of Ukrainians.

Meanwhile, Mr Kuleba tweeted that the footage was "another impervious this was is genocidal".

Ukraine's quality rights ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets accused Russian troops of committing warfare crimes by violating the Geneva Conventions regarding the attraction of POWs.

And Ukraine's Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said a transgression probe had already been opened.

Ukraine has antecedently accused Russian troops of torturing, raping and sidesplitting Ukrainian prisoners of war.

Last July, a video emerged that showed a captured Ukrainian worker being castrated successful the Russian-occupied Donbas portion successful eastbound Ukraine.

The Russian worker filmed carrying retired the onslaught successful the municipality of Severodonetsk was identified arsenic a subordinate of a portion belonging to Chechen person Ramzan Kadyrov.