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| Russian fighter 'admits killing 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war' as Amnesty International urges investigation into 'war crimes' | Russian fighter 'admits killing 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war' as Amnesty International urges investigation into 'war crimes' |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A pro-Russian separatist commander is alleged to have admitted killing 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war, as human rights activists urge an investigation into alleged war crimes by pro-Russian fighters. | A pro-Russian separatist commander is alleged to have admitted killing 15 Ukrainian prisoners of war, as human rights activists urge an investigation into alleged war crimes by pro-Russian fighters. |
| Arseny Pavlov, who is also known as Motorola, is reported to have made the comments to the Kyiv Post in a phone interview. | Arseny Pavlov, who is also known as Motorola, is reported to have made the comments to the Kyiv Post in a phone interview. |
| Pavlov has been accused of shooting dead Ukrainian soldier Ihor Branovytsky, who was captured by separatists after taking part in the defence of the airport in Donetsk in January. | Pavlov has been accused of shooting dead Ukrainian soldier Ihor Branovytsky, who was captured by separatists after taking part in the defence of the airport in Donetsk in January. |
| During the interview a man identified as Pavlov says he has killed 15 captured Ukrainian soldiers, but declines to comment on the death of Branovytsky. | During the interview a man identified as Pavlov says he has killed 15 captured Ukrainian soldiers, but declines to comment on the death of Branovytsky. |
| People attend the funeral ceremony of Ukrainian serviceman Ihor Branovytsky (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/Files) | People attend the funeral ceremony of Ukrainian serviceman Ihor Branovytsky (REUTERS/Gleb Garanich/Files) |
| He said: "I've shot 15 prisoners. I don't give a s**t. No comment. I kill whoever I want." | He said: "I've shot 15 prisoners. I don't give a s**t. No comment. I kill whoever I want." |
| The Independent could not verify the voice was that of Pavlov. | The Independent could not verify the voice was that of Pavlov. |
| The separatist commander also declined to comment when contacted by news agency Reuters. | The separatist commander also declined to comment when contacted by news agency Reuters. |
| Human rights group Amnesty International has said at least four Ukrainian soldiers have been shot dead in "execution-style" killings carried out by pro-Russian separatists earlier this year. | Human rights group Amnesty International has said at least four Ukrainian soldiers have been shot dead in "execution-style" killings carried out by pro-Russian separatists earlier this year. |
| The organisation has described the torture and killing of prisoners as a war crime and urged a full investigation into the soldiers' deaths in eastern Ukraine. | The organisation has described the torture and killing of prisoners as a war crime and urged a full investigation into the soldiers' deaths in eastern Ukraine. |
| Eduard Basurin, spokesman for the rebel forces, has denied all accusations of wrongdoing. | Eduard Basurin, spokesman for the rebel forces, has denied all accusations of wrongdoing. |
| He told Reuters: "They don't have the facts. Let them present the facts, photographs, video, then we can comment. Otherwise this simply destabilises the situation." | He told Reuters: "They don't have the facts. Let them present the facts, photographs, video, then we can comment. Otherwise this simply destabilises the situation." |
| Amnesty has said it has seen videos of at least four soldiers, who later died, held captive in January and February. | Amnesty has said it has seen videos of at least four soldiers, who later died, held captive in January and February. |
| Their bodies were later photographed in a morgue, it has been reported. | Their bodies were later photographed in a morgue, it has been reported. |
| Amnesty said: "There are signs of bullet wounds to their heads and upper parts of their bodies." | |
| The human rights group said it has also seen a video of Branovytsky. | The human rights group said it has also seen a video of Branovytsky. |
| Denis Krivosheev, the deputy director for Amnesty in Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement: "The torture, ill-treatment and killing of captured, surrendered or wounded soldiers are war crimes." | Denis Krivosheev, the deputy director for Amnesty in Europe and Central Asia, said in a statement: "The torture, ill-treatment and killing of captured, surrendered or wounded soldiers are war crimes." |
| Mr Krivosheev also called for an investigation and for those responsible to be brought to fair trail. | Mr Krivosheev also called for an investigation and for those responsible to be brought to fair trail. |
| Ukrainian servicemen ride on an armored personnel carrier in Vodyanoe village near Donetsk, 10 April 2015 (EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK) | |
| In Kiev, a comrade of Branovytsky said he witnessed his killing. | In Kiev, a comrade of Branovytsky said he witnessed his killing. |
| Yury Shkabura, 42, told Reuters television he heard a doctor tell Pavlov that Branovytsky needed medical attention at hospital. | Yury Shkabura, 42, told Reuters television he heard a doctor tell Pavlov that Branovytsky needed medical attention at hospital. |
| He said: "Five minutes later, Motorola came back and shot him twice. He stepped back and said: 'I have already cured him'." | He said: "Five minutes later, Motorola came back and shot him twice. He stepped back and said: 'I have already cured him'." |
| A medical certificate produced by the soldier's mother has stated he died from two bullet wounds in his head. | A medical certificate produced by the soldier's mother has stated he died from two bullet wounds in his head. |
| Ukrainian State Security official Vasil Vovk has said Kiev authorities want Pavlov on an international wanted list. | Ukrainian State Security official Vasil Vovk has said Kiev authorities want Pavlov on an international wanted list. |
| He said: "This person will bear responsibility for crimes against humanity, torture, murder of Ukrainian citizens including servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces." | He said: "This person will bear responsibility for crimes against humanity, torture, murder of Ukrainian citizens including servicemen of the Ukrainian armed forces." |
| More than 6,000 people have been killed since fighting broke out last year between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. | More than 6,000 people have been killed since fighting broke out last year between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian forces. |
| A ceasefire was brokered two months ago, although both sides have accused each other of intensifying attacks in eastern terrorities. | |
| Additional reporting by Reuters | Additional reporting by Reuters |