23:39, 4 November 2024

Kadyrov cancels his order not to take POWs in SMO zone

Ramzan Kadyrov has explained the cancellation of his ban on taking prisoners of war (POWs) in the special military operation (SMO) zone by numerous requests from residents of Ukraine.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on October 29, Kadyrov announced that in connection with the attack on the Russian Special Troops University, he had banned his commanders operating on the frontline in the SMO zone in Ukraine from taking POWs.

Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram channel that over the past few days he had received more than 2000 letters from residents of Ukraine, who asked him to cancel his order not to take servicemen of the Ukrainian Armed Forces as POWs.

On the day of the attack on the Russian Special Troops University, Kadyrov stated that "the roof of an empty building had caught fire," and there were no victims. Later, he announced new data, stating that there were victims among Ukrainian POWs who are "present at every strategic facility in the republic."

These Kadyrov's words can be regarded as evidence of the use of POWs as "human shields" and hostages, experts have noted. Kadyrov's words indicate that he "behaves inadequately," Oleg Orlov*, a human rights defender, has noted. "His statements do not give the impression that they were made by the leader thoughtfully and carefully ... After the drone attack, he orders 'not to take POWs,' then admits that he uses Ukrainian POWs as human shields. This, however, is not exactly the behaviour of a sane person," Oleg Orlov* believes.

*Included by the Russian Ministry of Justice (MoJ) into the register of foreign agents.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on November 2, 2024 at 03:41 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Source: Caucasian Knot