https://t.me/pravdaGerashchenko_en/34872
The story of 19-year-old Russian Vladislav Naumov is an example of how one wrong decision can change a whole life. He was imprisoned for drug distribution and went to war in Ukraine.
At least he surrendered. So long as he’s smart enough to not return to ru until after the war is over he has his whole life ahead of him.
Unfortunately/fortunately he may be used in a prisoner exchange.
My understanding is it is their choice whether to be used in a swap or not. Has that changed?
My understanding is they get the choice if they call the surrender line or otherwise seek surrender. If they’re captured they don’t get a choice.
I was unaware of this. I thought it was mandatory.
If that’s true, I hope this guy chooses to stay in Ukraine.
Isn’t it some type of war crime to use POWs to make statements? Either way, this kid seems like he has been put through the ringer. Fuck Putin.
Correct. The Geneva convention forbids exposure to public curiosity of POW. This also may not be revoked, including by the POW themself.
i did some looking and basically, the NGOs that monitor/soft-enforce the Geneva convention are giving Ukraine a pass on video usages like this since Russia
- refuses to acknowledge or frame this as a war
- is mistreating their POWs much worse
- is committing even worse atrocities
so… yeah it’s not strictly speaking good that Ukraine released this footage, but it’s kind of being internationally recognized as necessary given the circumstances. those NGOs have set the standard that the subjects of videos like this must not suffer excessive or unnecessary indignity
