Recent retellings of Russian detainment by captured Ukrainians reveal the war crimes committed against the small country. Tortured for information, people are beaten, shocked with electricity, and underfed.
The Human Rights Watch, an international non-government organization based in New York City, interviewed victims of Russian war crimes. These interviews resulted in the disclosure of important evidence, verifying Russia’s infringement of the Geneva Convention.
Out of the 71 people interviewed, 42 of them described the war crimes like torture and unlawful detainment. Those interviewed describe witnessing torture, or enduring torture themselves. Vitali Lupcheck, the commander of the group the Territorial Defense Forces, Mironov–his deputy; and Oleh–a volunteer were captured and repeatedly tortured by Russian Forces. Mironov died from injuries after the beating while Lupcheck was found and pronounced dead after being tied and thrown into a river. Oleh was the only surviving captive.
If Russia is found to be violating the Geneva Conventions, it could lead to further economic sanctions, destroying the already desolate Russian economy after the start of their invasion of Ukraine. Yet, Russia is continuing to torture despite the potential consequences. It is believed that the motive for these war crimes is to obtain information and instill fear into citizens. Forcing Ukrainians to submit and accept their occupation into their country.
Russian authorities did not explicitly comment on the Human Rights Watch report, but past statements show their denial of such claims.
Links:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/24/world/europe/russia-torture-ukraine-human-rights-watch.html
The Human Rights Watch, an international non-government organization based in New York City, interviewed victims of Russian war crimes. These interviews resulted in the disclosure of important evidence, verifying Russia’s infringement of the Geneva Convention.
Out of the 71 people interviewed, 42 of them described the war crimes like torture and unlawful detainment. Those interviewed describe witnessing torture, or enduring torture themselves. Vitali Lupcheck, the commander of the group the Territorial Defense Forces, Mironov–his deputy; and Oleh–a volunteer were captured and repeatedly tortured by Russian Forces. Mironov died from injuries after the beating while Lupcheck was found and pronounced dead after being tied and thrown into a river. Oleh was the only surviving captive.
If Russia is found to be violating the Geneva Conventions, it could lead to further economic sanctions, destroying the already desolate Russian economy after the start of their invasion of Ukraine. Yet, Russia is continuing to torture despite the potential consequences. It is believed that the motive for these war crimes is to obtain information and instill fear into citizens. Forcing Ukrainians to submit and accept their occupation into their country.
Russian authorities did not explicitly comment on the Human Rights Watch report, but past statements show their denial of such claims.
Links:
https://www.hrw.org/news/2022/07/22/ukraine-torture-disappearances-occupied-south
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/24/world/europe/russia-torture-ukraine-human-rights-watch.html