Russia devised plans to stage public executions in cities its forces conquer as a way to cut down the morale of Ukrainians, a European intelligence official told Bloomberg.
In addition to the executions, the plan includes crackdowns on protests and detention of opponents, the official told the outlet. Fox News also cited a European official in reporting the alleged development.
Civilians have thus far put up a tough fight against Russian forces, arming themselves with weapons and Molotov cocktails. Ukraine’s State Emergency Service said on Wednesday that over 2,000 Ukrainian civilians have perished since the invasion began.
“More than 2,000 Ukrainians died, not counting our defenders,” the service said in a statement, CNN reported. “Children, women and our defense forces are losing their lives every hour.”