Russia forms military unit from Ukrainian POWs in violation of the Geneva Convention
Russia has formed a new military unit made up of Ukrainian prisoners of war and former servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The creation of the so-called “First Ukrainian Volunteer Special Purpose Brigade” became known on August 6. The unit was incorporated into the “Volunteer Corps” of Russia’s Ministry of Defense.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) notes that forming combat units from Ukrainian prisoners of war contradicts international humanitarian law. Using POWs in hostilities violates their protected status under the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War.
The creation of such units also poses an additional risk to the prisoners themselves. Given the systematic violence, torture, and psychological pressure in Russian places of detention, claims that prisoners “voluntarily” joined the Russian forces are highly questionable.
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