‘Russia does everything’
By Ischa Gerrits·1 hour ago·Edit: 1 minute ago
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Since the beginning of the war with Ukraine, Russia has not taken the law of war very seriously. Now Russian soldiers are said to have worn Ukrainian uniforms during the attack on Kupyansk. And that is a very serious violation of the laws of war, experts say.
It would happened near Kupyanskearlier this week. There is no indisputable evidence for this, but defense expert Patrick Bolder of the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS) thinks it is very likely that this happened.
“It is not the first time I have heard about it. These violations have been described in several reports from the Institute of War.” This American think tank reports daily on the war in Ukraine.
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“Russia simply doesn’t care,” says Bolder about the laws of war. Because there are several examples: there are reports that Russia is executing prisoners of war, and that they are targeting innocent civilians is the order of the day. The laws of war also state that it must be recognizable on which side you are fighting. This way there are as few innocent victims as possible.
‘Russia does everything’
Former commander of the armed forces Mart de Kruif is also not surprised if Russia would indeed use Ukrainian uniforms. “Russia is doing absolutely everything to win this war. The consequence is that it also does these kinds of things.”
The action is not very original, by the way. The Germans also tried to take parts of the Netherlands with this trick in May 1940. “Then they came up with imitation Dutch uniforms. That was hardly effective, partly because the helmets were made of papier-mâché. They then deformed due to moisture.”
1500 victims per day
According to De Kruif, this action fits in with the image of the war. Russia is using everything it has, and the number of deaths hardly matters. According to international sources, there are approximately 1,500 Russian casualties per day. Not all of them are fatal, but they do need to be taken out of the fight.
But this way ‘the end is lost’, says Bolder. “There’s a lot of danger from this.” According to Bolder, Russia has also deployed soldiers in civilian clothes several times. That is also not permitted under the laws of war.
Trump wants an end to the war
According to both experts, the fact that Russia is doing everything it can to take over as much land as possible can hardly be separated from Donald Trump’s election win in the United States. Trump says he wants to end the war quickly if he comes to power. And the more land, the better the starting position for Russia in the negotiations.
NATO boss Mark Rutte also spoke about the war after Trump’s re-election. You can see this in the video below:
“Winning Russia a direct risk to America.”
“Ukraine is also acting accordingly,” says De Kruif. “For example, they hardly reveal any territorial gains in the Kursk region of Russia.” Bolder also sees it this way: “They expect Trump to propose a deal. The starting point of that negotiation is important. The more you have, the better.”
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Commentary: ‘Russia Does Everything’
Ah, the ongoing theater of warfare! Russia has evidently decided that playing by the rules is so passé, much like wearing white after Labor Day. In a development that might just qualify as a plot twist in a bad action movie, Russian soldiers allegedly donned Ukrainian uniforms during an attack near Kupyansk. It seems someone’s been binge-watching too many spy films, but let’s unpack this one—because you know, the law of war is just a guideline, right? Sort of like a ‘Get Out of Jail Free’ card they never got around to playing.
The Cost of Creativity
Now, I’m not one to mock creativity, but Russian forces have taken a less-than-original approach here. Remember when the Germans tried this crafty trick in 1940 with imitation Dutch uniforms? Spoiler alert: it didn’t end well for them. The helmets were made of papier-mâché—yes, you heard that right! I guess when it rains, it pours… or when it rains, your secret invasion plan just melts away. But hey, historical footnotes aside, let’s get back to the point.
Defense expert Patrick Bolder was quoted cautioning us that this tactic might indeed be afoot, but let’s not kid ourselves; if this is what you have to resort to in order to win a war, it might be time for a good, long look in the mirror. “Russia simply doesn’t care,” said Bolder, and he might be onto something because the whole “your side vs. my side” thing is pretty basic warfare etiquette. If you’re wearing the other guy’s uniform, you’ve officially misread the room.
Casualties and Chaos
With around 1,500 Russian troops reported lost daily, we’re not just talking about body counts but also crushing morale—and how do you measure that? With a spirit level? How about some empathy while we’re at it? The point is, whether you’re in fancy uniforms or civilian garb, the grim reality of war remains—people are suffering.
A Political Chess Game
Jumping from the battlefield to the boardroom, the article mentions how Donald Trump’s potential re-election plays into this mess. Who knew the fate of nations could hinge on a reality TV star’s whims? Remember folks, it’s not a pop quiz on ethics, just a high-stakes negotiation. The more land Russia grabs, the more power they have at the negotiating table. You’ve got to hand it to them; they really know how to play Monopoly!
A Call to Action
As we ponder the strategic implications of this bamboozle, we can’t help but wish for a time when we can leave this awful charade behind. Wars shouldn’t resemble reality shows where all that matters is who gets the spotlight—and in this case, it looks like Russia’s aiming for a theatric role as the “bad guy” in a poorly scripted finale.
So, as we watch this saga unfold, let’s all remember to keep our eyes peeled not just for the uniforms, but for humanity—amidst the chaos, it’s the true victors we all want to see take the stage. Until next time, keep your helmets on and your morals high!
Since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has demonstrated a troubling disregard for the established laws of war. Reports have surfaced alleging that Russian soldiers donned Ukrainian military uniforms during an assault on Kupyansk, a tactic deemed a significant violation of international law, according to experts.
This incident reportedly took place near Kupyansk earlier this week. While definitive evidence remains elusive, defense analyst Patrick Bolder from the Hague Center for Strategic Studies (HCSS) finds the claims credible. “It is not the first instance of such actions. Numerous reports from the Institute of War have outlined similar violations,” he observed, referencing the American think tank which provides daily updates on the ongoing conflict.
“Russia simply doesn’t care,” Bolder asserted, lamenting the repeated breaches of warfare norms. Documented instances of Russia executing prisoners of war and indiscriminately targeting civilians have become alarmingly common. According to the law, combatants must wear recognizable uniforms to minimize the risk of innocent casualties.
‘Russia does everything’
Former commander of the armed forces, Mart de Kruif, expressed little astonishment at the prospect of Russia utilizing Ukrainian uniforms. “Russia is doing absolutely everything to win this war. The consequence is that it resorts to such tactics,” he explained.
The concept is not unprecedented; historical parallels can be drawn to World War II, when German forces attempted a similar ruse in the Netherlands in May 1940. “They created imitation Dutch uniforms, but the strategy was largely ineffective due to logistical failings, such as the use of fragile papier-mâché for helmets,” De Kruif noted.
1500 victims per day
De Kruif claims this approach aligns with Russia’s overall strategy in the war. The Kremlin appears to be deploying all available resources, seemingly indifferent to the mounting death toll. Current international estimates suggest that Russia suffers around 1,500 daily casualties, a statistic that doesn’t encompass the full range of injuries that remove soldiers from active duty.
“But this way the end is lost,” Bolder warned. “There’s a significant risk associated with this.” He further mentioned that Russia has employed soldiers in civilian apparel on multiple occasions, a practice also prohibited under wartime regulations.
Trump wants an end to the war
Both analysts indicated that Russia’s aggressive land acquisition strategies cannot be disentangled from the geopolitical implications of Donald Trump’s potential re-election in the U.S. Trump has declared his intention to facilitate a swift conclusion to the conflict upon regaining power, positioning himself to negotiate from a place of strength.
NATO chief Mark Rutte also addressed the situation following Trump’s re-election announcement. You can observe his comments in the video below: “Winning grants Russia a direct risk to America.”
“Ukraine is also acting accordingly,” De Kruif stated. “For instance, they report minimal territorial gains in the Kursk region of Russia.” Bolder echoed this sentiment: “They anticipate that Trump will seek a deal, making the terms of future negotiations critically important. The more territory one controls, the stronger the position at the negotiating table.”
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What are the implications of Russia’s strategy on future military negotiations amidst significant daily casualties?
1,500 casualties daily, a number that, while not exclusively fatalities, indicates significant losses and strain on their military capability.
Despite the staggering human cost, Bolder warns that Russia’s strategy of utilizing such deceptive tactics poses greater risks. “The end goal becomes obscured,” he notes, suggesting that the reckless disregard for norms could lead to further escalations and complicate future negotiations.
Trump’s Influence
Interestingly, both experts connect Russia’s aggressive land acquisition with the potential return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency. Trump has indicated he would seek a swift resolution to the conflict, which could incentivize Russia to expand its territorial claims. As Bolder puts it, the more land Russia controls, the stronger its negotiating position will be as the war’s end approaches.
De Kruif adds that Ukraine is cleverly withholding disclosures of its territorial advancements, likely to avoid giving Russia leverage in prospective negotiations. The reality is that both sides are engaged in a strategic game, where every move on the battlefield reverberates in the political arena.
The Human Cost of War
This sordid situation raises fundamental questions about the nature of warfare and the humanity that often gets overshadowed by military strategy. As the world watches, the actors in this grim drama display a flagrant disdain for human life and ethical conduct, reducing conflict to a ruthless game of chess where casualties are considered mere pawns.
The unfolding tragedy in Ukraine highlights not just the tactical dimensions of warfare but the ethical dilemmas confronting military forces and international actors alike. Will a return to diplomacy and humanity ever take center stage, or are we destined to observe a theater of war where human suffering continues to be the price of ambition?
As we track these developments, we must remain vigilant, advocating for accountability and demanding a world where the protection of human life takes precedence over territorial gains. The theater of war should not simply be a stage for grand strategies but a platform upon which the values we hold dear are upheld and defended.