Amnesty International (AI) has reported that Russia sentenced 33 Ukrainian soldiers in the Supreme Court of the Luhansk People’s Republic in Russian-occupied Luhansk for “alleged war crimes.” Russian authorities captured these soldiers as Prisoners of War (POWs), and their sentences ranged from twenty-seven to twenty-nine years.
The charges included alleged “war crimes,” notably the use of artillery in the early stages of Russia’s invasion, which reportedly resulted in one civilian death, one injury, and damage to 42 houses.
AI criticized the sentencing, referring to it as unlawful. Anna Wright, a researcher at AI, acknowledged the obligation to prosecute war crimes. Yet she disputed the methodology of Russia’s prosecution, stating:
“While there must be accountability for all human rights violations and war crimes committed by either side during the entirety of this conflict, prisoners of war cannot be prosecuted for merely taking part in hostilities. The war crime in this instance is by Russian authorities, who have not given prisoners of war fair and regular trials.”
Wright likewise demanded an end to such proceedings, insisting, “Russia must respect the rights of captured Ukrainian soldiers and end such sham trials.”
According to AI, Russia has not adhered to the minimum international standards of fairness as stipulated under international humanitarian and human rights law. Specifically, POWs are granted protection under the Third Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Deliberately depriving a prisoner of war of his right to a fair and regular trial, as prescribed in the Convention, is regarded as a “grave breach” of the same.
Similarly, over 200 Ukrainian soldiers were sentenced to lengthy prison terms the month before, some even receiving life sentences.
Russia initiated a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, an act considered by many to be a violation of the UN Charter and international criminal law. The invasion has reportedly triggered extensive human rights and displacement crises, as Russian authorities have allegedly forced the transfer and deportation of civilians from occupied areas of Ukraine.