ISW: Russia continues forming combat units from Ukrainian POWs
The US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reports that Russia is continuing to form combat units using Ukrainian prisoners of war, in violation of the Geneva Convention.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank, states in its latest report that Russia continues to assemble combat units incorporating Ukrainian prisoners of war. The institute notes that this practice violates the Geneva Convention's provisions on the treatment of prisoners of war.
A breach of international law
The Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits forcing prisoners of war to serve in the armed forces of the detaining power or to take part in combat operations against their own country. According to ISW analysts, Russia's continued conduct in this area points to a systematic disregard for international humanitarian law over the course of the conflict.
The report does not provide further details on the number of units involved, their deployment locations, or how many prisoners of war have been affected. ISW regularly tracks Russia's military strategy and tactics in the war against Ukraine, and this finding forms part of a broader assessment of the situation.
International organizations and human rights advocates have previously raised concerns about the treatment of prisoners of war on both sides of the conflict. This particular ISW report specifically addresses Russia's practice of compelling Ukrainian prisoners to participate in combat operations.
