What did Kyiv demand over a POW's death in Russian captivity?
A look back at 31 July 2024, when Ukraine sought an explanation from Russia over the death of a prisoner of war, and Moscow claimed a Donetsk settlement.
What did Ukraine want from Russia on 31 July 2024? It demanded an explanation for the death in Russian captivity of Ukrainian prisoner of war Oleksandr Ishchenko.
Ishchenko had been tried alongside 21 other captured Ukrainian troops. They were prosecuted for belonging to the Azov Brigade, which Russian prosecutors allege is far-right affiliated.
The case traces back to the siege of Mariupol, which began on 24 February 2022 and lasted until 20 May 2022. It ended in a Russian victory, after Ukrainian troops remaining at the Azovstal Iron and Steel Works surrendered once they were ordered to cease fighting.
Front-line claim
On 30 July 2024, the day before, the Russian defence ministry said its forces had taken control of the settlement of Pivdenne in Donetsk region.
