Capital punishment

Russian Soldier Faces Trial for Alleged Ukrainian POW Execution

Published JUN 16 2025

Story

Above: Dmitriy Kurashov pleaded guilty in a Zaporizhzhia court to killing Vitalii Hodniuk in January 2024 Image credit: Handout via BBC

The Facts

Dmitriy Kurashov, a 26-year-old former Russian prisoner recruited into the army, pleaded guilty in a Zaporizhzhia court to killing 41-year-old Ukrainian soldier Vitalii Hodniuk in January 2024. Kurashov served with a Storm-V assault unit composed almost entirely of convicts who were offered freedom in exchange for combat service.
BBC News
Kyiv Post
Security Service of Ukraine
According to three former unit members testifying against him, Hodniuk emerged from a foxhole unarmed and knelt in surrender when Kurashov shot him with a burst from his rifle on Jan. 6, 2024. Ukrainian forces overran the position hours later and captured Kurashov and other survivors, finding Hodniuk's body face down with no weapon nearby.
Svidomi
BBC News
Three Russian witnesses testified against Kurashov on the trial's first day, all former prisoners who were offered freedom in exchange for combat like Kurashov. One witness testified that their unit was instructed by superiors to "take no prisoners," while another stated Kurashov was alone near the Ukrainian position when the shooting occurred.
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
BBC News
The Ukrainian Security Service led the investigation, utilizing witness statements, intercepted communications, and social media verification, which yielded over 2,000 pages of evidence. If found guilty, Kurashov faces up to life imprisonment under Article 438 of Ukraine's Criminal Code for violating the laws and customs of war combined with premeditated murder.
Militarnyi
BBC News
This is the first time a Russian soldier accused of executing a Ukrainian prisoner of war has been physically present in a Ukrainian courtroom for such charges. While Ukraine has opened tens of thousands of war crimes investigations since Russia's invasion in 2022, very few suspects have been captured and brought to trial.
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Svidomi
The U.N. reports that executions of prisoners by Russian troops are rising, with a February report documenting 79 such cases since August 2024. Ukrainian officials say Russian forces have executed 124 POWs since the start of the war. Ukraine, meanwhile, has also faced claims of summary executions, such as in Makiyivka in November 2022.
RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
Kyiv Post
TVP World
Archive

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

This trial highlights Ukraine's commitment to holding war criminals accountable despite the ongoing conflict. The systematic nature of these executions shows this isn't isolated but part of Russian military doctrine.

RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

The Global Herald

Narrative B

The case relies heavily on testimony from Russian prisoners of war who may have had incentives to lie for better treatment or prisoner exchanges. Kurashov is innocent and pleaded guilty only to expedite the proceedings, hoping for an exchange.

Svidomi

BBC News