The American Institute for the Study of War (ISW) has commented on a recent report by Schemes (Radio Free Europe) that analyzed a series of communications from Russian Major General Roman Demurchiev dated February 20. The investigation corroborates ISW’s assessment that the Russian military leadership actively condones and encourages war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war.
In particular, the report reveals messages from the deputy commander of the 20th Combined Arms Army, where Demurchiev discusses torture and the killing of Ukrainian captives as commonplace practices. Analysts believe that the exchanges between Demurchiev and other Russian military officials highlight the extent of normalization and complicity among high-ranking Russian commanders in such atrocities.
Additionally, the ISW pointed out that the ultra-right reconnaissance and sabotage group “Rusich” has openly promoted images of the execution of Ukrainian prisoners and even offered monetary rewards for such depictions back in November 2025.
The dissemination of execution videos by Russian forces on social media further legitimizes violence within the Russian military narrative, undermines the dignity of victims, and exacerbates conditions that facilitate ongoing war crimes on the battlefield, according to the report.
Recently, Schemes released material based on a collection of messages from General Demurchiev, revealing that discussions about torture and murder of Ukrainian captives are treated as routine occurrences among his correspondents. Reports of killings, torture, and mistreatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war continue to emerge regularly.
The ISW has confirmed that Russian military communications reveal a troubling normalization of war crimes against Ukrainian prisoners of war. The report underscores the complicity of high-ranking officials and highlights the disturbing practices being discussed as routine within the military hierarchy.
Source: Radio Free Europe