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Ukraine: Russian Forces Executed Surrendering Ukraine Soldiers
Human Rights Watch ^ | 2 May 2024 | Human Rights Watch

Posted on 05/02/2024 10:05:48 AM PDT by MeganC

(Kyiv, May 2, 2024) – Russian forces appear to have executed at least 15 Ukrainian soldiers as they attempted to surrender, and possibly six more who were surrendering or who had surrendered, since early December 2023, Human Rights Watch said today. These incidents should be investigated as war crimes.

“Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, its forces have committed many heinous war crimes,” said Belkis Wille, associate crisis and conflict director at Human Rights Watch. “The summary execution – or murder – of surrendering and injured Ukrainian soldiers, gunned down in cold blood, expressly forbidden under international humanitarian law, is also included in that shameful legacy.”

Human Rights Watch investigated three instances of the apparent summary execution of at least 12 Ukrainian soldiers by verifying and analyzing drone footage posted on social media on December 2 and December 27, and on February 25, 2024. In these cases, the soldiers demonstrated a clear intent to surrender and, since they were no longer taking part in hostilities, were considered hors de combat and not targetable under international humanitarian law, or the laws of war.

Human Rights Watch verified the location of two of the three incidents based on the footage, but due to the lack of geographic details in the videos, was unable to determine the exact location of the third. Human Rights Watch was unable to verify which party operated the drone that captured the footage in these cases.

Human Rights Watch investigated a fourth instance by analyzing another video clip posted on social media on February 19 showing two Russian soldiers executing three surrendering and unarmed Ukrainian soldiers. Although the account that posted the clip stated the location of the incident, Human Rights Watch has not been able to verify the location independently.

For the fifth incident, the investigation relied on an interview with a Ukrainian soldier, a video posted to a Telegram channel on February 16, and in-depth media coverage including interviews with family members of one of the victims. The information suggests that six soldiers were executed in the incident, though the circumstances were less clear.

In one of the five incidents, on February 25, verified drone footage shared widely online including on X (formerly known as Twitter) shows at least seven Ukrainian soldiers exiting a dugout among some trees between two fields, removing their body armor, at least one soldier removing their helmet, and all lying face down as five Russian soldiers aim their guns at them. The Russian soldiers are identifiable by distinctive red tape markings around the arms and legs. Three Russian soldiers then shoot toward the clearly surrendered Ukrainian soldiers from behind and both sides.

Six of the Ukrainian soldiers remain face down, visibly reacting to the impact of the shots, while one attempts to reenter the dugout but is shot before he is able to. The incident took place near Ivanivske village in the Donetska region. The location was first verified by EjShahid, a volunteer for GeoConfirmed, and subsequently confirmed by Human Rights Watch researchers.

(More at the link)


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Russia; Ukraine
KEYWORDS: anotherneoconfail; bidenswarofchoice; fuldamaximus; hrw; humanrightswatch; killkillkillforpeace; mic; murder; psychomaximus; queenofthezeepers; russia; snippymaximus; sorossource; ukesdidittoo; ukiecannonfodder; ukraine; warcrimes; welfarewar; zeepercreepers; zeeperporn; zeepersnosuchthing; zelenskysfolly
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To: Cen-Tejas

Remember, the principal is your pal.


61 posted on 05/02/2024 11:44:45 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: ansel12
I think you might find many nations that would speak rather harshly about us as well. Some of it BS, some of it likely justified in some form or fashion.

But of course, all you read was the headline, because you might find uncomfortable evidence presented that make question what is really going on.

But of course, you know it's nonsense because so many others hold the same conclusion. That's the sign of a real thinker there, yes indeed. /complete utter sarcasm

62 posted on 05/02/2024 11:44:48 AM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: MeganC

We shouldn’t be involved.


63 posted on 05/02/2024 11:45:51 AM PDT by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
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To: HollyB; MeganC

Zeepers celebrate that.
But if it happens in like kind, it’s something to be angry about.


64 posted on 05/02/2024 11:48:21 AM PDT by Darksheare (Those who support liberal "Republicans" summarily support every action by same. )
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To: MeganC

Or propaganda by the Ukrainian government to keep draftees from surrendering.


65 posted on 05/02/2024 11:48:49 AM PDT by Blood of Tyrants (The problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money. - M. Thatcher)
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To: Cen-Tejas; ComputerGuy

There are times when you can’t take prisoners, a LRS team for example, but the rules of war serve a purpose and are best followed, for best long term results.

The Germans used the methods that we frequently see pushed on the internet and in bars, the 10 for 1 retaliations, the scorched earth responses and to strike fear into the heart of the enemy, even the harsh treatment of those who wanted to join them by the huge numbers, everything they did was destructive to their goals of winning the war.


66 posted on 05/02/2024 11:49:26 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: ansel12

If you’re the only side following ‘the rules of war’, then you’re an idiot.


67 posted on 05/02/2024 11:54:49 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: Robert DeLong

Start reading about the concrete and expensive and even politically costly reactions of dozens of nations to Russia’s invasion, even Japan has launched its biggest military buildup since WWII triggered by Putin.

You aren’t paying attention and think this is just a trivial “distraction” by people and governments who don’t pay attention and are merely distracted.


68 posted on 05/02/2024 11:55:24 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: Dogbert41

The Ukie Nazi problem is well known. Azov brigades ( Nazis) with the swastikas and SS tattoos all over have been known to have been executed…. that said, my father ( a WW2 Infantryman) told me stories of the SS soldiers that were captured- very few made it back to HQ for questioning. In fact, many were turned over to the French, a much, much worse fate.

Yes Johnny, the Ukie’s do have a Nazi problem… which is why Putin’s speech stated “ Ukraine will be De-nazified”…. Which we are currently witnessing.


69 posted on 05/02/2024 11:55:29 AM PDT by delta7
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To: MeganC

Around December 1, 2023

Russian shoot 2 Ukraine soldiers who had surrendered:

https://funker530.com/video/nsfw-russians-execute-surrendering-ukrainian-soldiers/


70 posted on 05/02/2024 11:57:33 AM PDT by linMcHlp
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To: ComputerGuy

It didn’t work for the Germans, what are you talking about?

You implied that you wanted to execute all enemy that came under our control, you think that is more effective than taking prisoners when possible?


71 posted on 05/02/2024 11:57:38 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: HollyB

You were against the French Resistance?


72 posted on 05/02/2024 11:59:55 AM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: ansel12

I didn’t imply squat. You inferred something. You tried to apply my personal decision to all wartime scenarios as if taking prisoners is the right thing to do. I have zero compassion for someone who moments ago was trying to kill my friends and me.


73 posted on 05/02/2024 12:04:49 PM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: ComputerGuy

“”””I let it be known that I wouldn’t waste so much as a single Band-Aid on any NVA. General Sherman was right.””””

If you weren’t implying a policy then fine, it was the second sentence and the context of the post to this article and to the post about executing prisoners that led me to think that you were.


74 posted on 05/02/2024 12:10:41 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: MeganC; Darksheare
Here are some examples of the opposing claims being made:

Videos Appear to Show Ukrainian Troops Shooting Surrendering Russians | WSJ

Video appears to show Ukrainian troops killing captured Russian soldiers

All this really proves it that both sides make the same claims.

Is f I remember correctly, the surrendering Russian soldiers were shot in their legs, but were not killed. That is still a war crime. It doesn't have to be a kill shot.

75 posted on 05/02/2024 12:11:13 PM PDT by Robert DeLong
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To: ansel12

Reread my post and if you have trouble. Reread it again .


76 posted on 05/02/2024 12:13:08 PM PDT by HollyB
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To: Dogbert41
"Rules of war...," they make war so much more palatable don't they? I'm sure once they add a few more rules, war will be downright enjoyable!

It takes a special kind of sick f#@k's to think that stuff up...probably from Harvard...

Reminds me of that old episode of Star Trek (A Taste of Armageddon) where a planet had been fighting a war for hundreds of years because they removed the hell and destruction from war.

77 posted on 05/02/2024 12:18:45 PM PDT by Paco
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To: ansel12

Not treating a wounded enemy soldier is in no way an execution. I chose not to risk my life for enemy combatants, that’s all.


78 posted on 05/02/2024 12:19:43 PM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: ComputerGuy

That makes total sense, but once they are in your hands and the situation under control then it is best for everyone involved to do what is right, I think we see a lot of history showing that.


79 posted on 05/02/2024 12:26:53 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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To: HollyB

I read your post, the Resistance under Russian occupation is doing what they can, just like in France.


80 posted on 05/02/2024 12:28:37 PM PDT by ansel12 ((NATO warrior under Reagan, and RA under Nixon, bemoaning the pro-Russians from Vietnam to Ukraine.))
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