A Lapse of Judgment by Ukraine.

[Torus34]

Recent reports in the press and comments by the Russian news Agency TASS indicate that some Americans have been captured by the Russians in Ukraine. Past instances of Americans held in captivity by other nations suggest that pressure will be brought and the United States of America may make some sort of a deal to get them back.

That Ukraine would have permitted American citizens to fight on its soil against the Russians, if this was what actually was the case, was a counterproductive decision. Any event that would risk reducing US aid to Ukraine should have been avoided.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

 

[Acadia]

It won't reduce further aid from Biden. 2 dead Americans aren't going to change his policy.

 

[Nomad4Ever]

Recent reports in the press and comments by the Russian news Agency TASS indicate that some Americans have been captured by the Russians in Ukraine. Past instances of Americans held in captivity by other nations suggest that pressure will be brought and the United States of America may make some sort of a deal to get them back.

That Ukraine would have permitted American citizens to fight on its soil against the Russians, if this was what actually was the case, was a counterproductive decision. Any event that would risk reducing US aid to Ukraine should have been avoided.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

Americans, as well as people from Canada, the UK, Germany, Poland, Australia, and many other nations, have been known to have been fighting in Ukraine very publicly from the beginning of the conflict. I believe there are entire volunteer English speaking units. Sometimes they take videos of their escapades and post them online.

 

[Torus34]

Americans, as well as people from Canada, the UK, Germany, Poland, Australia, and many other nations, have been known to have been fighting in Ukraine very publicly from the beginning of the conflict. I believe there are entire volunteer English speaking units. Sometimes they take videos of their escapades and post them online.

Hi, Nomad4Ever.

We're now witness to one of the unintended consequences.

Regards, stay safe 'n well 'n remember the Big 5.

 

[MamboDervish]

Recent reports in the press and comments by the Russian news Agency TASS indicate that some Americans have been captured by the Russians in Ukraine. Past instances of Americans held in captivity by other nations suggest that pressure will be brought and the United States of America may make some sort of a deal to get them back.

Why? These were volunteer combatants in a foreign war that isn't ours. We certainly should not make any deals to get them back. They knew the risks, and they are there by choice.

That Ukraine would have permitted American citizens to fight on its soil against the Russians, if this was what actually was the case, was a counterproductive decision.

Under the circumstances, Ukraine's decision was perfectly reasonable. Any country that is attacked by a neighbor with superior forces would, in it's own defense, make exactly the same decision. I'm sure we would welcome it if the roles were reversed.

Any event that would risk reducing US aid to Ukraine should have been avoided.

No reason why it should risk reducing US aid.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

Likewise.

 

[Torus34]

Why? These were volunteer combatants in a foreign war that isn't ours. We certainly should not make any deals to get them back. They knew the risks, and they are there by choice.

Under the circumstances, Ukraine's decision was perfectly reasonable. Any country that is attacked by a neighbor with superior forces would, in it's own defense, make exactly the same decision. I'm sure we would welcome it if the roles were reversed.

No reason why it should risk reducing US aid.

Likewise.

Hi, MamboDervish.

We'll do well to be patient and see how this plays out. It's possible that, given the political polarization extant in the United States of America that an attack will be mounted against President Joseph Biden for not attempting to get American prisoners back.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

 

[Rogue Valley]

We'll do well to be patient and see how this plays out. It's possible that, given the political polarization extant in the United States of America that an attack will be mounted against President Joseph Biden for not attempting to get American prisoners back.

Any American can voluntarily decide to go and fight for Ukraine against the Russians. Not as Americans, but as individuals. By decree of Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's International Foreign Legion is officially a part of the Ukraine Armed Forces and submits to their orders. Legally then, they are Ukrainian military combatants according to the GC and the International Laws of Warfare. POW's who deserve all relevant legal protections. Russia can unilaterally decide to release them, or include them in prisoner swaps with Ukraine. Putting them on trial in Russia is illegal and would constitute a war crime.

Status of Foreign Fighters in the Ukrainian Legion

 

[Torus34]

Any American can voluntarily decide to go and fight for Ukraine against the Russians. Not as Americans, but as individuals. By decree of Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's International Foreign Legion is officially a part of the Ukraine Armed Forces and submits to their orders. Legally then, they are Ukrainian military combatants according to the GC and the International Laws of Warfare. POW's who deserve all relevant legal protections. Russia can unilaterally decide to release them, or include them in prisoner swaps with Ukraine. Putting them on trial in Russia is illegal and would constitute a war crime.

Status of Foreign Fighters in the Ukrainian Legion

Hi, Rogue Valley.

I'm not sure that Russia is fully following all of the international laws and agreements which apply to warfare at this time. That can, and well may, result in the US Administration having to make some tough choices. That an American should choose to go and fight, either as a volunteer or as a mercenary, for a foreign country doesn't automatically mean that our government turns its back on him/her.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

 

[FurriesRock]

Any American can voluntarily decide to go and fight for Ukraine against the Russians. Not as Americans, but as individuals. By decree of Ukrainian president Volodmyr Zelenskyy, Ukraine's International Foreign Legion is officially a part of the Ukraine Armed Forces and submits to their orders. Legally then, they are Ukrainian military combatants according to the GC and the International Laws of Warfare. POW's who deserve all relevant legal protections. Russia can unilaterally decide to release them, or include them in prisoner swaps with Ukraine. Putting them on trial in Russia is illegal and would constitute a war crime.

Status of Foreign Fighters in the Ukrainian Legion

The U.S. lost all credibility to call another nation out for war crimes with GITMO and Iraq.

Russia doesn't have to honor a treaty or treaties that the U.S. itself has wantonly ignored for decades!

 

[Fletch]

Recent reports in the press and comments by the Russian news Agency TASS indicate that some Americans have been captured by the Russians in Ukraine. Past instances of Americans held in captivity by other nations suggest that pressure will be brought and the United States of America may make some sort of a deal to get them back.

That Ukraine would have permitted American citizens to fight on its soil against the Russians, if this was what actually was the case, was a counterproductive decision. Any event that would risk reducing US aid to Ukraine should have been avoided.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

These guys went there of their own free will. If they got captured by the Russians, they are pretty much on their own.

 

[Rogue Valley]

These guys went there of their own free will. If they got captured by the Russians, they are pretty much on their own.

That might be true while in Russian custody.

But they are legitimate POW's according to the Geneva Conventions and the International Laws of Warfare.

Article 43(2) of Additional Protocol I further provides that “members of the armed forces of a Party to a conflict … are combatants, that is to say, they have the right to participate directly in hostilities.” This provision is applicable to members of the UKR Legion, who are therefore lawful combatants. It is so regardless of their nationality and the motivation with which they decided to join the UKR Legion.

If captured by the Russian armed forces, members of the UKR Legion—again regardless of nationality or motivation—are entitled to POW status upon capture. This is explicitly confirmed by Article 44(1) of Additional Protocol I, which stipulates that “any combatant, as defined in Article 43, who falls into the power of an adverse Party shall be a prisoner of war.” It is also clear that members of the UKR Legion would qualify as POWs under Article 4(A)(1) of the Third Geneva Convention, which refers to “members of the armed forces of a Party to the conflict as well as members of militias or volunteer corps forming part of such armed forces.”

 

[Torus34]

These guys went there of their own free will. If they got captured by the Russians, they are pretty much on their own.

Hi, Fletch.

Nice to hear from you. This poor old country mouse will be checking some of the AM radio 'conservative' talk shows to see if there's some attempt to make political hay of this situation.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

 

[Rogue Valley]

Russia doesn't have to honor a treaty or treaties that the U.S. itself has wantonly ignored for decades!

Past US misdeeds have no bearing regarding Ukraine-Russia War POW's.

The GC do not make exceptions.

 

[Fletch]

That might be true while in Russian custody.

But they are legitimate POW's according to the Geneva Conventions and the International Laws of Warfare.

I get that. But Russia doesnt seem too concerned with Geneva Convention rules at the moment.

 

[Rogue Valley]

Nice to hear from you. This poor old country mouse will be checking some of the AM radio 'conservative' talk shows to see if there's some attempt to make political hay of this situation.

You should learn to use credible sources, to think critically, and to arrive at your own conclusions.

 

[Rogue Valley]

I get that. But Russia doesnt seem too concerned with Geneva Convention rules at the moment.

I can't think of a time - Afghanistan, Chechnya, Georgia, Syria, Ukraine, where Russia did abide by the rules of warfare.

 

[FurriesRock]

Past US misdeeds have no bearing regarding Ukraine-Russia War POW's.

The GC do not make exceptions.

Reality doesn't work that way.

 

[Torus34]

You should learn to use credible sources, to think critically, and to arrive at your own conclusions.

Hi again, Rogue Valley.

Thank you for your sage advice. I've appointed a committee to study it and make recommendations.

Regards, stay safe 'n well.

 

[Rogue Valley]

Reality doesn't work that way.

I was addressing the law. Not the sordid realities.