In the ongoing battlefield, accusations of inhumane treatment within the Russian armed forces persist, according to Ukrainian sources. Rebels at the frontline are allegedly threatened with death, and deserters face severe consequences, the Kyiv Post reports. A jarring claim surfaces, with Ukrainian spokespersons Oleksandr Stupun and Andriy Yusov asserting that Russian soldiers are being eliminated by drones at the command of their own leaders to prevent capture.
These allegations, however, remain unverified. Despite repeated observations of drone killings by Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance, no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate these claims. Historical reports have highlighted instances of the Russian army employing harsh methods in the past, such as sending soldiers en masse towards Ukrainian positions, and considering any opposition or retreat as disloyalty.
Additional Insights
Russian soldiers who surrender to Ukraine's armed forces have reportedly occurred frequently, with Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmitro Lubinez alleging that Moscow is obstructing prisoner exchanges. The Ukrainian parliament's human rights commissioner claims that the exchange process has stalled due to Russia's refusal to accept its own soldiers back. Kiev counters, stating that Moscow faults Ukraine for not pursuing the exchange actively.
Last year, the British Ministry of Defense reported the deployment of blockade units by Russia to prevent soldiers from retreating even in hopeless situations. The Ministry's concern was that these units could potentially trap soldiers in dangerous circumstances.
A Ukrainian drone video from the summer highlighted the presence of Russian soldiers, which appeared to eliminate deserters or defectors within their ranks. Although no irrefutable evidence exists proving the drone-assassination claims, the broader picture surrounding the conflict raises concerns about human rights violations and harsh military discipline within the Russian armed forces.
The reliability of the evidence supporting allegations of Russian soldiers being killed by drones to prevent capture is mixed and subject to interpretation. Ukrainian authorities have announced an investigation into these allegations, highlighting the need for independent verification. The Kremlin has also responded to the video, stating that the images were monstrous and needed to be legally assessed. The intense nature of the conflict and the lack of clear evidence make it challenging to determine the reliability of these allegations.
