President Pavel condemns video of Russian soldier beheading Ukrainian prisoner of war

President Petr Pavel has condemned a brutal video of a Russian soldier beheading a Ukrainian prisoner of war. The president said that if the video’s authenticity is confirmed it would put Russia on a par with the Islamic State. In any case, he pointed to the fact that there were many other atrocities committed by Russian troops, which had been verified, and which have no place in the 21st century.

The harrowing video that is circulating on social media has shocked the international community. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky labelled the Russian soldiers “beasts” and vowed to punish the perpetrators.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was ''horrified'' by this and other videos which showed flagrant violations of international humanitarian law.