Five Ukrainian prisoners of war were executed earlier this month, Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General reported on Tuesday. The prosecutor's office said Russian troops stormed Ukrainian positions near the village of Petrivka, Pokrovsk district, in November, which led to five Ukrainian soldiers retreating to hide in a private residence.

Fighting between Russia and Ukraine is escalating ahead of the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has said he wants to find a way to end the war. More Ukrainian women are joining the military ranks.