The Security Service of Ukraine documented another war crime committed by Russian occupiers in Donetsk Oblast: on November 10, 2025, during an attempt to storm Pokrovsk, Russian forces deliberately used local residents as human shields.
According to the investigation, the attack on the southeastern outskirts of the district center was carried out by the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 506th Motorized Rifle Regiment of the Russian Armed Forces.
In a residential area, the assault group of this unit captured three civilians: a man, a woman, and a 13-year-old child. After that, a direct order was received via radio to use the prisoners as cover during fire contact. The occupiers forced people to walk in front of them during the “cleansing” of houses.
Such actions are a gross violation of Article 28 of the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War and qualify as a war crime.
Based on the evidence gathered, SBU investigators opened criminal proceedings under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (violation of the laws and customs of war).
The investigation is ongoing to identify all Russian military personnel and commanders involved in order to bring them to justice.