Russia calls them “volunteers.” They’re Ukrainian prisoners of war forced into a new combat brigade
Moscow's Defense Ministry merged several POW-based battalions and detachments into a single formation, escalating a practice ISW has tracked since late 2022.
Russia recently announced the formation of a new combat brigade composed of Ukrainian prisoners of war, portraying them as volunteers. The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) reported this consolidation of multiple units into a single entity, marking a significant escalation of the Kremlin's policy since 2022. ISW has consistently documented this practice, labeling it as a potential violation of the Geneva Convention, which strictly forbids using prisoners of war for military operations.
Beyond the recruitment into combat units, Russia's treatment of Ukrainian prisoners extends to extreme brutality, as confirmed by leaked communications from a Russian general that exposed the harsh conditions endured by captives. In August, the Defense Ministry Volunteer Corps unveiled the formation of the Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade, integrating five existing units comprising former Ukrainian soldiers or alleged defectors.
While the Russian military labeled this brigade as consisting of willing participants, ISW noted the admission as a stark revelation, emphasizing the grim reality faced by these individuals.
Written by urgent.news from Euromaidan Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
