KYIV, Ukraine (AP) - The Ukrainian General Prosecutor's office has launched a criminal investigation into allegations that Russian forces killed surrendering Ukrainian soldiers, a potential war crime if confirmed. The investigation was initiated following the emergence of a video on social media showing two uniformed men, one with his hands up, being shot at close range after emerging from a dugout.

The video, whose authenticity and date have yet to be verified, depicts the servicemen walking out at gunpoint, lying down on the ground, and being fired upon by a group of Russian troops. Ukraine's human rights chief, Dmytro Lubinets, commented on the footage, stating, "It's clear from the video that the Ukrainian servicemen are taking the necessary steps that show they are surrendering."

The video was initially shared on DeepState, a popular Ukrainian Telegram channel covering the conflict. The post claimed that the incident occurred near Avdiivka, an area in Ukraine's partially occupied east where intense fighting has been ongoing in recent weeks. The General Prosecutor's Office stated that the alleged killing took place in the Pokrovsk district, which includes Avdiivka and surrounding areas.

Ukraine, along with its Western allies and international human rights organizations, has regularly accused Russia of violating international humanitarian laws since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The Russian defense ministry has yet to respond to the allegations, and there have been no public statements from the Russian government or military regarding the video.

This disturbing incident follows previous incidents that have raised concerns about the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war. In March, a video of an unarmed man exclaiming "Glory to Ukraine" moments before being shot in a wooded area sparked national outrage in Ukraine, with officials alleging he was a captive soldier killed by Russian forces.

The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has also led to power outages in nearly 1,000 towns and villages, with wintry weather conditions and fighting impacting various regions. The Institute for the Study of War reported that military operations have slowed down due to poor weather, hindering the advancement of vehicles and infantry.

Despite the challenging conditions, Ukrainian military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun confirmed that Russian infantry attacks had intensified near Avdiivka, stating that Ukrainian troops were holding firm in the area. However, reports from the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson indicate that at least two people were killed and seven injured as Russian forces shelled a high-rise apartment block and other civilian buildings. The city's military administration shared an image of a deceased civilian, but its authenticity remains unverified.

As the investigations into these alleged war crimes continue, international attention remains focused on the situation in Ukraine and the actions of Russian forces.