KYIV, Ukraine - Ukrainian officials have launched a criminal investigation into allegations of a war crime committed by Russian forces. The investigation comes after a video surfaced on social media showing two uniformed Ukrainian soldiers being shot at close range after surrendering. The video, which was posted on the popular Ukrainian Telegram channel, DeepState, has sparked outrage and calls for justice.

The grainy footage shows the servicemen, one of them with his hands up, walking out at gunpoint and lying down on the ground before a group of Russian troops appears to open fire. The authenticity and circumstances of the video have yet to be verified, but the Ukrainian military's press office has declared it genuine.

Upon viewing the video, the Ukrainian General Prosecutor's office immediately launched a criminal investigation. In a Telegram update, the office stated, "The video shows a group in Russian uniforms shooting, at point-blank range, two unarmed servicemen in the uniform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine who were surrendering."

The Russian defense ministry has yet to respond to the allegations. As of now, neither the Russian government nor the military has issued any public statements regarding the video.

This incident adds to the mounting accusations against Moscow for breaching international humanitarian laws since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. While the Kremlin denies these allegations, Kyiv, its Western allies, and international human rights organizations continue to denounce Russian actions.

The alleged killing is said to have taken place in the Pokrovsk district, which includes Avdiivka, where heavy fighting has been occurring. Ukrainian human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, asserted that the video demonstrates Russia's repeated violations of international humanitarian laws.

Oleksandr Shtupun, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian military, described the video as "glaring confirmation" of the Russian forces' disrespect for the laws of war. This incident is not the first accusation of war crimes during the conflict. In March, a video showing an unarmed prisoner of war being gunned down sparked national outcry in Ukraine.

In addition to the investigation, Ukraine is facing other challenges. The country's energy ministry reported power outages affecting close to 1,000 towns and villages. Adverse wintry weather and ongoing fighting have battered hundreds of settlements in the west. The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, stated that military operations have slowed due to poor weather conditions.

Despite this, Russian infantry attacks have reportedly intensified in the Avdiivka area. Ukrainian troops, however, maintain that they are holding firm in Avdiivka and a neighboring town, according to Oleksandr Prokudin, the regional governor.

Meanwhile, in the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson, Russian forces have shelled a high-rise apartment block and other civilian buildings, resulting in casualties. Multiple Telegram posts by local authorities detailed the extent of the damage and the loss of life, including a 78-year-old civilian who was killed in a village northeast of Kherson.

As tensions remain high and accusations of war crimes persist, the Ukrainian government continues to seek justice for the alleged atrocities committed by Russian forces. The international community closely watches developments and calls for accountability in this ongoing conflict.