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Russian soldiers are accused of abusing Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields on the frontline, according to an investigation.
Drone footage from a field in the Zaporizhzhia region appears to show several of Vladimir Putin’s militants shooting from behind captives as they advance into the battlefield.
The video was obtained by reporters from Radio Free Europe RFE/RL, which have verified the location, but have not disclosed the exact coordinates.
In a shortened version published on YouTube, a man identified as a Russian troop is seen standing behind another said to be a Ukrainian serviceman.
Left to right: A Russian soldier hiding behind a Ukrainian captive (Picture: Ukraine’s Prosecutor General’s Office)
The first can be seen physically ducking behind his captive and holding him by the shoulder as the two move forward. Several other men dressed in Russian military uniforms are following behind.
Both Russians and Ukrainians at times appear to be under fire and crouch or take cover. Eventually, a fight ensues between the advancing and defending forces.
One of the presumed PoWs, separated from the group, is abandoned lying on the ground, presumed killed.
As a result, Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office has opened an investigation into Russia’s alleged use of POWs as human shields.
‘According to preliminary data, Russian military personnel, disregarding the norms of international humanitarian law, defiantly used Ukrainian prisoners of war as “human shields” during hostilities against the Defence Forces of Ukraine in the Zaporizhzhia region,’ a statement read.
If verified to be true, the video would provide evidence that Russia’s military has committed a war crime.
Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets said the practice may be systematic among Russian troops.
‘This is not the first report that we have received regarding the exploitation of our prisoners of war in different ways,’ he stressed.
‘For example, we are aware that several times, POWs were forced onto minefields and that their rights are violated in other ways. This is systemic.’
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