Russian troops using civilians as 'human shields' to flee via Kupiansk pipeline, Khartiia Corps claims
Children, elderly people, and a person on crutches walked alongside draft-age men who were likely Russian soldiers wearing civilian clothes, according to Khartiia Corps' drone footage.
On September 29, the Khartiia Corps reported that Russian troops were utilizing civilians as human shields while attempting to escape via a gas pipeline in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. The footage allegedly shows children, elderly people, and individuals on crutches walking alongside draft-age men, possibly Russian soldiers dressed in civilian attire, leading a group of civilians from Kupiansk to the Ostrogozhsk-Shebelinka Gas Pipeline through the village of Holubivka.
The group would need to traverse over 10 kilometers through the pipeline before exiting into a forest, likely to be transported to Russian-occupied territory. The Ukrainian forces refrained from attacking due to the risk posed to civilians. Throughout the ongoing conflict, the Russian military has consistently violated international warfare conventions, particularly by targeting civilian areas and allegedly abducting civilians from occupied territories.
The Russian military has previously been accused of using civilians as human shields in various hotspots of the war. Khartiia Corps stated that Russian troops were filming the group as they walked, and the tactic allegedly serves multiple purposes, including providing cover, abducting civilians, and potentially for propaganda purposes.
Russian troops have been utilizing pipelines for logistics and human travel in other locations such as Avdiivka and Sumy, with the tactic being used in Kupiansk as well. This method effectively enables Russian forces to approach the front lines closely. Using civilians as cover in combat zones and forcibly transferring civilians are both considered serious violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the video released by Khartiia Corps, calling for proper documentation and investigation of the violations and accountability for those responsible.
Written by urgent.news from Kyiv Independent's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
