[NSFL] Minus a Russian invader after a failed assault.
[NSFL] Minus a Russian invader after a failed assault.
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What does the Geneva Convention say about killing disabled enemy combatants?
You'll see them dispatch mortality wounded Russians often, presumably partly to end the suffering. That guy was already dying, there's no hope of getting him care.
Maybe there was no hope, but that's for medical personnel to decide. Mercy killings were a Middle Ages thing, nowadays once an enemy is no longer a threat, whether by being wounded, surrendering, getting captured, or in any other way, then it becomes a war crime to kill them.
This kind of videos play straight into Russian propaganda.
I'm not telling you what I think, I'm telling you what they regularly do. No medical personnel are anywhere near this event.
There must be a grey area because I've seen video from many conflicts where mortally wounded enemy combatants are dispatched. I'm aware of the technical law.
Regarding what I do actually think, I think it's morally "better" to dispatch the mortally wounded as it reduces suffering.
There is a gray area: while engaging an enemy, you may not know exactly at what point have they been neutralized, so if you keep shooting and kill them... well, tough luck, should have surrendered sooner.
These videos however, which show a clearly neutralized enemy, then go for a headshot... or the ones desecrating cadavers... or joking about civilian victims... make me think that whoever published them is either quite dim, or works for the other side.
Earlier in the Ukrainian war, there were some much smarter moves, like filming POWs being given a phone to call their families. That's both morally and strategically far better.
As mentioned, I've strayed into my opinion now.
I firmly believe they reduced suffering in the video. There was no one around, Russia is known for not recovering their wounded, he may well have laid there for hours until succumbing to hypothermia
There is a grey area. There has to be considering you cannot be sure of the true physical condition of the opponent. Even the mortally wounded they can be a threat for hours. How many times have we seen opfor get directly hit by something, and go sprinting for 500 meters before finally collapsing? That entire time they are legit targets as they are still dangerous, immediately so or no. I have not seen any 'desecrating cadaver' videos, unless you are including 'doubletapping to be sure' videos which is not the same thing. I too would like a return to more videos of things like opfor surrendering peacefully to drones etc., but if we all got what we really wanted here the war would be over and Ukraine would be rebuilding Crimea already.