KEY TAKEAWAYS

• ISW reports that Russia has announced the formation of a combat brigade composed of Ukrainian prisoners of war and alleged defectors.
• Analysts say the move could constitute a serious violation of the Geneva Convention.
• Russia has previously been accused of coercing Ukrainian POWs into military service.
• The announcement raises renewed concerns over the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.

Russia has announced the creation of what it calls the “First Ukrainian Volunteer Spetsnaz Brigade,” a unit reportedly formed from Ukrainian prisoners of war and former Ukrainian servicemen who allegedly switched sides. According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), the practice likely violates international humanitarian law governing the treatment of prisoners of war.

ISW Flags Possible Geneva Convention Violation

The Institute for the Study of War reported that Russia’s Volunteer Corps announced the formation of the new brigade on August 6.

According to ISW, the unit combines several previously established formations, including the Maksim Kryvonos and Oleksii Berest battalions, along with other irregular detachments that Russia claims include Ukrainian prisoners of war and former Ukrainian soldiers.

International Law Prohibits Using POWs in Combat

The Third Geneva Convention prohibits detaining powers from compelling prisoners of war to serve in the armed forces or exposing them to combat operations.

ISW noted that if Ukrainian POWs are being incorporated into active combat units, the practice would represent a direct violation of these international legal obligations.

A Practice Tracked Since 2022

Analysts say this is not the first time Russia has been accused of creating military formations from captured Ukrainian personnel.

ISW has documented similar reports since 2022, including the so-called Bohdan Khmelnytsky Battalion, which Russian sources claimed was composed of Ukrainian prisoners of war. The newly announced brigade appears to expand that model by consolidating several such formations under a single command.

Growing International Scrutiny

Human rights organizations and international observers have repeatedly raised concerns about the treatment of Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia.

The latest announcement is likely to intensify scrutiny of Russia’s compliance with international humanitarian law and could become another subject of future investigations into alleged war crimes.