The EU pledged Wednesday to hold war criminals to account as it denounced footage spread online allegedly showing the beheading of a Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian forces.

“We don’t have more information on the veracity of the video. Having said that, if confirmed, this is yet another brutal reminder about the inhumane nature of the Russian aggression,” EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali said.

“The EU reiterates its firm commitment to holding to account all perpetrators and accomplices of war crimes committed in connection with Russia’s war,” she added.

European Council president Charles Michel later tweeted that he was “mortified by atrocious video showing murder of Ukrainian prisoner of war by Russian soldier.

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“Accountability and justice must prevail over terror and impunity. The EU will do all possible to ensure that. The EU will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” he wrote.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had already denounced the Russian “beasts” responsible for what he said was the execution of a Ukrainian captive.

“We won’t forget anything, nor will we forgive murderers,” he added.

AFP was unable to independently verify the footage.

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