To be fair, going by another thread, these men should have retained their privacy and private communications with anyone other than their government should be conducted via the Red Cross. This sort of internet human trophy display is unlawful and shameful.
If they are indeed Russian soldiers ordered to invade Ukraine, whatever laws were broken were broken by their government and it is their government that must answer for it, not these soldiers.
Ordinarily, the issue of privacy would be compelling. For several reasons, publishing their images serves an important purpose. Putin has been denying for the past 6 months his direct involvement in the invasion of Ukraine, despite all evidence to the contrary. Inevitably, his apologists, including those who have found such a welcoming home on FR say, “what evidence do you have?” Photographs, and social media corroboration serve to reveal the truth of what is going on. This is even more important, given that many in the west, including those in the media, continue to call this a rebellion without apparently realizing that a rebellion is a conflict consisting of combatants of the same nation. Here, 90% or more of those fighting against Ukraine are Russian citizens. Among such citizens are ordinary conscripts serving in the regular Russian army. Thus, this is an actual invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Obviously, there are some who would still deny Putin is behind this invasion, even if he road into Ukraine shirtless and straddling a tank barrel.
Ordinary conscripts are not responsible for their government’s behavior. But their government is denying their very existence and lying to their families about there whereabouts. For that, their government, the Russian government is responsible. The photographs are not humiliating or degrading, which would violate the Geneva convention. At least their families know that they are alive.
After yesterday’s parade in Donets, few mugshots ain’t bad. Should they be brought to Kyiv Maidan, with eggs thrown at them? Maybe Lavrov will change his mind about calling such practice disgraceful.
wetphoenix, you’ve been asking for proofs. Russians talking about fighting in Ukraine, confirmations of dead Russians, Russians in top leadership positions of DNR, photos of Russian equipment, claims that SBU hold Russians - none of it is enough. But photos and names- that’s too much