Russian troops use Ukrainian POWs as human shields during assaults — video
Fighting in Zaporizhzhya Oblast, Russian soldiers use captive Ukrainian POWs as human shields in combat, as seen in a video published by RFE/RL on Dec. 13.
Journalists have obtained a video that appears to show several Russian military personnel firing from behind three captive Ukrainian soldiers. Ukrainian troops deployed in the region provided RFE/RL with the footage.
The journalists reported they were able to identify the location of the events but have not disclosed this information at the military's request. However, they noted that Russian forces from the 234th Air Assault Regiment, part of the 76th Air Assault Division, were present in this frontline sector.
The footage shows Russian forces, walking behind unarmed Ukrainian soldiers, making several shots. One Russian soldier is seen using a captive member of the Ukrainian military for cover, holding him by the shoulder with one hand while firing his weapon with the other.
The video concludes with a Ukrainian soldier in uniform falling to the ground. Ukrainian fighters told the journalists this was done to deter the Ukrainians from firing at the advancing Russian infantry.
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Journalists added that nothing is known about the fate of the POWs.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets told journalists that if what is shown in the video is true, the Russian military have once again violated the Geneva Conventions.
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“If this is the case, it will officially establish another violation of the Geneva Conventions by the Russian Federation,” said Lubinets.
“This is the first video of its kind that I've seen. I had no such data before.”
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