Posted on 06/16/2022 3:36:11 AM PDT by Candor7
A contracted mercenary has no legal recognition or protection as a prisoner of war. Two American mercenary soldiers have been captured by Russian forces and now present a rather unique issue for the Biden administration. The traditional end result for captured mercenaries is execution; however, Russian President Vladimir Putin may not want to hang these two State Dept. conscripts.
(Via Telegraph) – Two former US servicemen have been captured during fighting with Russian forces in Ukraine, The Telegraph has been told. The pair were taken prisoner during a fierce battle outside the north-east city of Kharkiv last week, according to comrades who were fighting alongside them.
Alexander Drueke, 39, and Andy Huynh, 27, had been serving as volunteers with a regular Ukrainian army unit. They are believed to be the first US servicemen to end up as Russian prisoners of war. They join a growing number of Western military volunteers captured by Russian forces, including at least two Britons.
Aiden Aslin and Shaun Pinner have already been told they face the death penalty as “mercenaries”. The capture of the two Americans will be diplomatically sensitive as the Kremlin may seek to use it as proof that America is becoming directly involved in the war. Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, is likely to demand significant concessions to release them.
Referenced article: "The Telegraph" https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2022/06/15/exclusive-first-two-us-fighters-captured-russian-forces-battle/
The next big shoe to fall in American domestic politics will happen with the surrender of the Severodonetsk chemical plant. An estimated 600 foreign fighters are among the 2,000 or so who were pushed into that insane counter-offensive, and now they are trapped. It’s certain there are at least dozens of Americans among the trapped. They could face the death penalty. This is going to be big.
What am I missing here—are they mercenaries or volunteers? I thought mercenaries get paid while volunteers don’t.
Well, lets see what Brandon does! Those who hold their breath will likely be at risk of self asphyxiation.
The US MArines enter and open up the grain spigots and assure ship safety for transport while rescuing American mercenaries?
Ooops! I forgot, this is 2022 , not 1950.
Thats a good question. I do not know what their status with the Ukrainian government is. In any event they are not POWs.
Time to invest in yellow ribbon futures.
They are volunteers. The fact Russia cannot and will not make a distinction between volunteers and mercenaries illustrates their lack of appreciation of universal principals, international conventions of war and the truth. They cannot be dealt with and should not be tolerated in European territory. The solution is clear. Send in NATO and eject them from Ukraine -all of it. Then wall off Russia from all civilized nations.
Here is a thought! Are they really mercenaries? or American operatives? Just saying!
If they are transgender, they are likely CIA.
Problem solved! (At least for the future.)
Regards,
Good Idea. The Russians are about to open a can of worms.
The U.S. government has been holding several dozen prisoners at Guantanamo Bay for more than 20 years without any trials or any legal recourse. The justification that is given for this is: (1) they aren’t in the U.S., so they are not subject to U.S. law, and (2) they are not covered by the Geneva Conventions because they were detained in a combat zone on foreign soil but are not citizens of the country where they were captured.
Tell me what makes either of these Americans any different than Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
The difference is that any foreigners fighting in Ukraine are doing so under the authority of a legitimate government. When I was in the Army I knew of officers who were foreign citizens. Where these illegal mercenaries? Is the entire French Foreign Legion made up of illegal mercenaries subject to execution upon capture? Russia itself has foreign troops in its ranks: the Wagner Group and Chechens. Would Russia them to be treated as illegal mercenaries?
“The traditional end result for captured mercenaries is execution; however, Russian President Vladimir Putin may not want to hang these two State Dept. conscripts.”
Sundance doesn’t understand the mindset of the present US Administration. Unlike virtually every other country, including even the UK, our Mercenaries are looked at, by the present US Administration, as TOTAL IDIOTS, being suckered into going there based on the Western Media Blitz.
For all the US Administration cares, their families might as well throw bake sales and hire the best Russian lawyers money can buy - and if the Mercenaries are lucky, they’ll spend a few decades in Siberia.
“during fighting with Russian forces “ -— Shouldn’t that be fighting “against” Russian forces? The media has gone downhill with illiterates and software writing articles.
“What am I missing here—are they mercenaries or volunteers? I thought mercenaries get paid while volunteers don’t.”
Most likely mercenaries with cover stories.
“Russia itself has foreign troops in its ranks: the Wagner Group and Chechens.”
Kind of a loose definition of Russian foreign troops to include the Chechens. No?
Play stupid games — win stupid prizes!!
Another good idea: Don’t poke the bear!
Way to go Brandon. What a government you’ve got there.
“In any event they are not POWs.”
If they are volunteers in the armed service of Ukraine or any other country, they should legally have POW status. Whether or not they are citizens is irrelevant. Do you think it would be ok for non citizen American solders to be denied POW status if we were involved in a war ?? What about the French Foreign Legion, are they also just to be lined up and shot if captured ??? There is a big difference between a uniformed volunteer (paid or unpaid) who is fighting for moral reasons and a mercenary who will fight for anyone who contracts and pays them.
There has abeen a devolution in the correct use of prepositions and prepositional phrases.
Its also related to social register issues. One would fight with one of close social distance. “I fight with my wife.”
While it is gauche to reduce the social distance towards a more itimate phrasing using “with,” that usage may also reveal a bias in reporting or a softening toward the Russian forces by using this phrasing.
One fights against Russian forces in war. You are abslutely correct. More crapola linguistic spin from the left who now want you to soften towards Russia.
The implied message: “Soften yourself to Pooty!”
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