The ISW stated that Russia is using Ukrainian prisoners of war in combat units

This is stated in a new report by the U.S. Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

According to analysts, on August 6, the Volunteer Corps of the Russian Ministry of Defense announced the creation of the first Ukrainian special operations volunteer brigade. It is claimed that the brigade consists of Ukrainian prisoners of war, as well as former Ukrainian servicemen who allegedly defected to Russia.

According to the ISW, the new unit combines several previously formed units, including the Maxim Kryvonos and Oleksiy Berest battalions, as well as the Alexander Matrosov, Martin Pushkar, and Slobidsky detachments. All of them, according to reports, consist entirely or partially of Ukrainian prisoners of war or military personnel who agreed to cooperate with the occupiers.

Analysts note that even some Russian military bloggers openly acknowledge that the new brigade is composed specifically of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The ISW emphasizes that the use of prisoners of war in combat operations constitutes a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions.

The Institute notes that reports of Russia forming combat units from Ukrainian prisoners of war first emerged as early as 2022. In particular, in 2023, the “Bohdan Khmelnytsky” battalion, which also included Ukrainian prisoners of war, was already operating in the Donetsk region.

According to the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, the state holding prisoners of war has no right to involve them in military activities on its side or to send them to combat zones. Such actions may be considered a war crime.

It should be recalled that Russia recently returned 375 bodies to Ukraine that showed signs of torture and a lack of medical care. It is also known that approximately 7,000 Ukrainian prisoners of war are currently being held in Russian captivity. The number of Ukrainian civilians in captivity ranges from 10,000 to 20,000. More than 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war are subjected to torture and cruel treatment.