The shootings of captured Ukrainian soldiers have become a systemic phenomenon...
Another execution of captured Ukrainian soldiers by Russian occupation forces has been recorded in the Pokrovsk direction. This is neither the first nor the last, as such incidents have already become systematic. And what is systematic is sanctioned from the highest levels, by command.
It should be understood that prisoners are, in fact, a valuable resource because they can be exchanged for their own prisoners. At first glance, there seems to be no logic in shooting prisoners, as it only reduces the exchange pool, but there is a rationale. It’s a savage, inhumane, animalistic logic.
The shootings of prisoners are not just killings for the sake of killing; they are also an attempt to intimidate and provoke the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Through these executions, the occupiers show Ukrainian soldiers what will happen to them when the Russians take their positions. This is a psychological narrative: “We don’t take prisoners!” Therefore, run from your positions as soon as you see approaching golf carts and vans with assault groups.
In other words, intimidation aimed at forcing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to flee their positions.
The second point is that the occupiers are trying to provoke the Ukrainian Armed Forces into retaliatory actions. They are waiting for us to also start seeking revenge for our guys by executing their heroic soldiers, so they can then gather the UN Security Council and accuse us of war crimes. Russia doesn’t care about conventions, human rights, or anything else. However, it is important for them to discredit us in the eyes of the international community and to force us into seeking revenge for our fallen comrades.
This is why, unfortunately, executions have happened, are happening, and will continue. An endless cycle of bloody war crimes that will only end when the blood-soaked empire is defeated.
The purpose of these actions is clear.
