Russia is allegedly using Ukrainian POWs. This time, the new allegation claims that the Kremlin is forcing prisoners of war to order their families to protest against the Ukrainian government.
This was confirmed by Ukrainian coordinating staff's spokesperson Petro Yatsenko, who claimed that families of Ukrainian POWs receive some calls from captive soldiers being held by the Russian government.
Yatsenko said that some families haven't heard from their captive relatives for over a year, and then suddenly their loved ones are calling them.
Russia Allegedly Forcing Ukrainian POWs to Protest Against Ukraine
Russian prisoners of war hold their hands behind their backs as they queue for lunch at a camp for Russian POWs in western Ukraine on September 19, 2023, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The centre is the last stop for detainees first held in other cities before being exchanged.
According to Politico EU's latest report, some Ukrainian families are receiving calls from POWs. These prisoners of war allegedly ask them to go against the Ukrainian government since Kyiv no longer plans to get them back.
"It was Serhii. We talked only for three minutes. I was not allowed to ask him questions. As soon as I tried, he shook his head and just said no," said 35-year-old Valentyna Tkachenko.
Tkachenko is a mother of two from Chernihiv in northern Ukraine whose husband was kidnapped after Russia invaded the European country.
"Instead, he kept saying: 'Valya, go make things hard for Kyiv. Kyiv does not want to take us back,'" added the Ukrainian civilian.
Valentyna further stated that her husband had to end the call for unknown reason. But, he promised her that he'll call back if he ever had a chance.
Many war experts said that Russia is refusing to exchange POWs with Ukraine for many reasons. One of these is to worsen tensions in Ukrainian society so that Ukraine's residents will go against Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
If this is true, then the Kremlin is taking advantage of Ukrainian POWs by using them as political weapons against Ukraine.
"They started so well, exchanging so many. But then suddenly it all stopped. I think Russians want to discredit our government. People are exhausted, and POWs' relatives are losing their temper," explained Valentyna.
Other Ways Russia Allegedly Use POWs
The mothers, wives and relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war gather at Mykhailivs'ka Square demanding to liberate their loved ones with a prisoner exchange with Russia on December 03, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Ukrainian officials expect a new wave of Russian bombing this week.
Aside from using POWs as political weapons against Ukraine, Business Insider reported that Russia also allegedly used Ukrainian prisoners of war as human shields.
This alarming activity was revealed by a video, which showed that Russian soldiers were pointing assault rifles at Ukrainian positions while leading unarmed POWs, who were covering them.
The footage revealed that these POWs are in front of Russian soldiers; raising their hands in the air to prevent Ukrainian troops from attacking Putin's forces.
If you want to learn more about this alarming POW activity of the Russian government, you can click this link.
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