Russian troops have received orders to kill civilian men during offensive actions, while using children and women as 'human shields'. This was reported by Ukrainian soldiers during a press conference at the 'Nakypilo' press center in Kharkiv.
'In Kupiansk, the presence of the civilian population in the city greatly complicates the execution of combat tasks for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There is clear evidence – both testimonies from prisoners and facts confirmed by other sources – that the enemy has a clear order to destroy men, while using children, the elderly, and women as human shields,' said the head of the communications unit of the 'North' military grouping, Vadim Mysnyk.
Occupiers are also disguising themselves in civilian clothing to pass as local residents, move around populated areas, and infiltrate the rear of defense forces. The head of the communications department of the 10th Army Corps, Tatyana Branitskaya, emphasized that the presence of a civilian population is the most challenging factor for organizing defense.
'One of the most difficult aspects is the presence of civilians in populated areas. The Ukrainian defense forces do not operate like Russian units, and it is difficult for us to plan the course of operations to avoid harming our citizens. Accordingly, the complexity of defending a populated area doubles when civilians are present,' she noted.
It has also been reported that information about orders to kill civilians is confirmed by testimonies from captured Russians.
'We know for certain from the interrogations of prisoners that they have an order to shoot the civilian population, seize houses – and if there is resistance – to kill everyone,' said the head of the communications department.
These actions of Russian troops constitute gross violations of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which prohibit attacks on civilians and the use of civilians as 'human shields'.
Ukrainian soldiers have revealed horrific orders from Russian troops to kill civilians and use them as 'human shields'. Such actions represent a serious violation of international law and threaten innocent lives during the conflict.