Ukraine demands Russia adhere to Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War

Ukraine condemns the illegal treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war by the Russian Federation, in particular use of them for its own political purposes.

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said this in a statement, Ukrinform reports.

The ministry demanded that the Russian side strictly observe the provisions of international humanitarian law, in particular the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War, in relation to the prisoners of war of servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“In this context, we emphasize that all foreign citizens and stateless persons participating in hostilities on the territory of Ukraine as part of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are voluntarily accepted for military service under a contract in accordance with the Law of Ukraine ‘On Military Duty and Military Service’ of 1992,” the ministry said.

The statement also says that the relevant persons are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, to whom, in accordance with the provisions of 1949 Geneva Conventions on the Protection of Victims of War and 1977 Additional Protocol I, the legal status of combatants applies. This status, among other things, entitles such persons to be treated as prisoners of war if captured by the enemy power, the ministry said.

“Ukraine strictly adheres to the obligations under international humanitarian law. Within the framework of an international armed conflict caused by the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, our state adheres to the laws and customs of war, set forth, in particular, in 1949 Geneva Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War and 1977 Additional Protocols,” the statement read.

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The ministry also noted that Ukraine observes the humane treatment of prisoners of war and provides them with all the rights and guarantees provided for in international law.

The ministry added that it demands humane treatment of Ukrainian prisoners of war from the Russian side and any illegal act or inaction on the part of the detaining power is prohibited.