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.
I agree that the Russian behavior in this matter is execrable.
Still, it is not right to make this display and the ends in view could easily have been achieved by proper communications through legitimate channels.
There is nothing preventing the Ukrainian government from informing their families through the Red Cross, of making a complaint to the UN, NATO and all interested governments, and issuing press releases correctly identifying the prisoners. This could include ID type pictures of the men posed with dignity.