Russia showcases Ukrainian war captives as 'volunteers' in apparent breach of international law
Former Ukrainian servicemen, including prisoners of war, allegedly volunteer to join Russia's army, as stated by Moscow's RIA Novosti This potential violation of international law raises concerns about the treatment and rights of war prisoners
According to state-run news agency RIA Novosti, a number of former Ukrainian servicemen, including prisoners of war, have reportedly "volunteered" to participate in frontline combat for Russia. This alleged action potentially breaches international law. In a video released by the agency, a small group of individuals, purportedly from Ukraine, can be seen donning military attire and carrying rifles while pledging allegiance to Russia during a ceremony. It remains uncertain as to the exact size of this unit.
According to RIA Novosti, the individuals are identified as "volunteers." CNN cannot substantiate whether they willingly joined the unit or were coerced. Ukraine has made no statement on this matter.
According to RIA, the individuals are part of a group referred to as "the initial battalion consisting of former soldiers from the Ukrainian Armed Forces - a volunteer battalion known as Bogdan Khmelnitsky." Bogdan Khmelnitsky was a military leader of the Ukrainian Cossacks in the 17th century.
In October, the battalion joined a Russian operational combat tactical formation called Cascade, as confirmed by the news agency. According to RIA, the battalion, which was formed in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Peoples Republic (DPR) in the occupied eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, consisted of prisoners of war from Ukrainian troops.
In late October, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a think tank based in Washington, reported that Russia allegedly "recruited" 70 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POWs) from different penal colonies, as stated by Russian state media. The International Red Cross asserts that such actions would constitute a violation of the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been universally adopted.
The ISW stated that Russian authorities have probably forced Ukrainian prisoners of war to join a volunteer group that will participate in the conflict in Ukraine, thus potentially breaching the Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War. Dissident Russian soldiers who support Ukraine have conducted attention-catching incursions into Russian territory, although their quantity is limited.
Russia and Ukraine continue to engage in conflict as the war enters its third winter, with neither side gaining a clear advantage.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly disagreed with his commander-in-chief's assessment of the war. General Valery Zaluzhny, in an interview with the Economist, stated that technological advancements have led to a stalemate, and it is unlikely that there will be any significant breakthroughs.
