Comment on The Ukrainian Army Shoots Russian POWs in the Leg
iamtanmay@wolfballs.com 2 years agoIts a warzone, they will have to fight the enemy AND take care of POWs. They could have aimed for the head instead and claimed the POWs died in combat. Keeping them alive and feeding them, shows their intentions.
Ukraine govt is not in control, since communication and command were destroyed. That's why they had to publish the guidance to 'Obey Geneva conventions' online. They have no way of sending orders, and its doubtful if troops would listen.
US troops on missions, executed Iraqi civillians to avoid their presence being leaked. Compared to that, this video is rather humane.
Monarque@wolfballs.com 2 years ago
That is true but it is also the case that we would not hesitate to call it a war crime if the US were shooting Iraqis in the leg.
Sal@mander.xyz 2 years ago
I don't think that it matters what we call it. It is a violation of article 3(a) of the Geneva convention, of which both Russia and Ukraine are parties: https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/geneva-convention-relative-treatment-prisoners-war
There is no question about whether it is a war crime or not. It is a war crime.
mayonesa@wolfballs.com 2 years ago
Lots of that going on:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/03/bucha-violence-invasion-russia-ukraine
iamtanmay@wolfballs.com 2 years ago
Its a war crime 100%
But, if I had to choose between going to jail for the crime or dying on the front, I would shoot the POWs too.
Sal@mander.xyz 2 years ago
Trying to hold several able-bodied military men from the enemy side while actively engaged in a war can't be easy. Shooting them in the leg to disable them is a practical way of lowering the risk of them being able to over-power you at some point. Whether the strategy is morally justifiable or not is a matter of personal values and context. I am pointing out that it is a war crime because it is, but I am not passing any judgement on whether I consider it to be justified or not. I don't know the context and I have not experienced what these people are experiencing. War is awful and I am sure that 'not breaking the law' is not one of the top priorities for people trying to save their and their family's lives and their country. I doubt that these people will be prosecuted for this crime.
iamtanmay@wolfballs.com 2 years ago
Oh, its a war crime, 100%. I am not disagreeing with you.
But on the scale of war crimes, this would be more of a misdemeanour than felony, if the circumstances were taken into account.
Monarque@wolfballs.com 2 years ago
Can't argue against that!