On January 3, Russian soldiers executed more Ukrainian prisoners of war. A geolocated image released on January 6 shows the aftermath of the announcement of the Russian execution of three bound Ukrainian prisoners of war. It happened near Neskuchne, southwest of Velika Novosilka, on January 3.
This was announced by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Ukrainian officials announced that an investigation into the reported executions had been launched.
The Main Directorate of Military Intelligence of Ukraine (GUR) published on January 6 an alleged audio recording, reportedly of a unit commander from the Russian 60th Motorized Rifle Brigade of the 5th Army of the Eastern Military District, issuing an order to execute a Ukrainian prisoner of war.
ISW continues to assess that Russian commanders are either being indifferent or are allowing their subordinates to execute prisoners of war in clear violation of international law.
Ukrainian Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lyubinets announced that Ukraine and Russia have reached a preliminary agreement on the regular exchange of prisoners of war in 2025.
On January 6, Lyubinets indicated that the exchange would include both military and civilian prisoners, and said that Ukraine would prioritize the return of seriously ill or injured prisoners.
Lyubinets did not provide further details about the preliminary agreement, but noted that it remained to be seen "whether the Russian side will keep its word". On December 30, 2024 Ukraine and Russia have carried out one of the largest prisoner exchanges of 2024.
Russia has consistently demonstrated reluctance to participate in a prisoner exchange prior to the start of Ukraine's invasion of Kursk Oblast in August 2024, during which Ukrainian forces took many Russians captive.
Ukrainian forces have recently made tactical advances amid ongoing intensive offensive operations in the Ukrainian fortified area in Kursk Oblast on January 6.
On January 6, Russian forces attempted to use Ukrainian attacks northeast of Sudzha to attack elsewhere in the Ukrainian fortified area in Kursk Oblast.
Ukrainian forces may continue to launch long-range strikes on Russian rear areas in Kursk Oblast as part of efforts to use integrated strike capabilities in support of ground forces. operations.
Russian forces advanced in the Liman, Toretsk, and Pokrovsk directions, and the Russian Ministry of Defense (MOD) said that Russian forces had captured Kurakhovo.
In an interview published on January 5, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that 3,800 North Korean servicemen had been killed and wounded in the Kursk region.