The Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation has begun a formal inquiry into reports that Ukrainian forces may have subjected Russian prisoners of war to a minefield. The inquiry was announced on the ministry’s Telegram channel Sledkom, which serves as an official conduit for prosecutors and investigators to share updates with the public. The committee stated that an examination is underway into information about the treatment of captured Russian personnel by representatives of the Ukrainian armed forces.
According to the statement, the check aims to verify claims of inhumane treatment and to determine the reliability of video material that allegedly shows Ukrainian units directing captured Russian soldiers toward mined areas. The authorities emphasized that the focus of the investigation is a thorough fact-finding process to establish what occurred, where it happened, and when the events took place.
The investigation is being conducted by the military investigation department within the Investigative Committee of the Russian Federation. Investigators are tasked with identifying the date of the video recording, the geographic location depicted in the footage, and the surrounding circumstances that led to the events described. The goal is to collect all relevant evidence before drawing conclusions or pursuing any formal charges.
The ministry added that should the information regarding the mistreatment of Russian military personnel be confirmed, a decision will be made about initiating a criminal case and, if warranted, prosecuting those responsible. This signals the committee’s readiness to explore all legal avenues available under Russian law should substantiated abuse be proven.
Earlier, a video linked to the state news agency RIA Novosti was cited in reports. It was claimed that the footage was found on a mobile phone in a bunker on Ukrainian-controlled terrain. The provenance and authenticity of such material are under scrutiny as part of the ongoing inquiry, with investigators seeking to corroborate or refute the claims through additional evidence and official records.
Former detainees and other witnesses have offered accounts regarding the mood within Ukrainian armed forces, though such testimonies require careful validation through independent verification. The investigative process will assess these statements in parallel with the video evidence to build a clear, fact-based picture of what occurred.