A video has surfaced that allegedly shows the 30th Mechanized Brigade in Ukraine engaging in what could be a gross violation of international humanitarian law.
The footage, which carries a graphic warning due to its violent content, purportedly shows a drone dropping explosives on a surrendering Russian soldier.
The video, shared by the Telegram channel “Aerobomber” and translated from Ukrainian as “We destroy a horde of bastards with drones”, provides a chilling bird’s eye view of the battlefield.
It appears to show a drone hovering over an isolated soldier in the open field, subsequently dropping an explosive device that injures him.
30th Mechanised Brigade continue destroy Orcs near Bakhmut Donetsk region
This Ork came to Ukraine with weapons in order to kill and destroy our cities.
After dropping the drone, he asked to "mercy" him, but he would rather stay at home pic.twitter.com/FMD6LwfAIv
— Cloooud |🇺🇦 (@GloOouD) September 21, 2023
Following an edit in the video, the same soldier can be seen lying on the ground, waving his hands in surrender and pointing to a makeshift tourniquet on his leg.
Despite his clear signs of surrender, the drone shockingly drops another ordinance. The unarmed soldier attempts to escape the blast radius, but the ordinance detonates.
In a horrifying continuation of events, the soldier is seen once again frantically waving his arms in surrender, only for the drone to drop a third explosive device on his location.
This relentless attack on a surrendering soldier raises serious questions about the conduct of the 30th Mechanized Brigade and their adherence to the rules of war.
According to the Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols, such actions are a clear violation of international humanitarian law in armed conflicts.
The conventions state that it is forbidden to kill or injure an enemy who surrenders or is hors de combat. Furthermore, the wounded and sick must be collected and cared for by the party to the conflict which has them in its power.
Horrible Footage!! Ukraine Drone Attack, Russia tries to save itself after the explosion, Bakhmut#Bakhmut #Zaporizhzhia #UkraineFrontLines #ukrainedrone #Canada #RussiaUkraineWar #UkrainianArmy #Bakhmut #Kyiv #Ukraine # #
https://t.co/IkrKffVLOp— Teisha Pomphrey (@PomphreyTe98223) September 25, 2023
Some have argued that the drone, being unmanned, cannot detain the soldier and therefore he cannot surrender. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) clarifies that detainment is not a requirement for surrender.
The ICRC’s “Customary International Humanitarian Law Volume I” states, “The rule of surrender does not require the opposing force to detain surrendered persons as prisoners of war (although they can if they wish).”
As the United States continues to fund Ukraine in this war with billions of dollars, it is imperative that investigations are conducted to ensure the Geneva Convention is being adhered to.
This shocking footage serves as a stark reminder of the brutal realities of war and the importance of upholding international humanitarian laws. It underscores the need for transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rules of war, even amidst the chaos of conflict.
