Video: In the Kharkiv region, the occupiers used children as human shields during their retreat

Russian troops in the Kharkiv region may have used civilians as a cover while withdrawing from the combat zone. The “Charter” National Guard Unit reported that the occupiers led a group of people—including children and the elderly—through a gas pipeline toward Russia.

 

According to the military, the footage was taken on September 27 in the Kupiansk community. The video shows nine civilians, including children, elderly people, and a person on crutches. Moving alongside them are men of draft age in civilian clothing.

“Charter” speculates that these may be Russian servicemen who have removed their uniforms and are attempting to leave the area disguised as civilians.  “Most likely, these are Russian soldiers who have taken off their uniforms and are escaping the line of fire under the cover of children and the elderly,” the organization noted.

According to Ukrainian military officials, the group was led from Kupiansk through the village of Holubivka to the “Shebelinka–Ostrogozhsk” gas pipeline. After that, the people were led inside the pipeline.

It is noted that Russian troops have already used this gas pipeline to covertly move their assault groups to Kupiansk. Now, according to the corps, the occupiers have used it to evacuate civilians.

The Ukrainian military claims that people will have to walk more than 10 km inside the pipeline. It then emerges into a forest, from where the civilians will likely be transported to occupied territory. According to “Charter,” the Russians filmed the entire journey.

Ukrainian drone operators spotted the group but did not open fire on it, as there were children and elderly civilians among them. The organization believes that the Russian military may have been counting on exactly this. “The Russians were counting on this. Under international law, each of these actions by the occupiers constitutes a crime,” “Charter” stated.

The situation near Kupiansk remains challenging. Ukrainian military officials previously reported that Russian forces in this sector are attempting to advance in small infantry groups and are using natural cover to stealthily approach Ukrainian positions.

Source: Khartiya

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