Russia pushing Ukrainians in occupied areas to fight against own country: HRW
https://apple.news/AsOi6UVL4RV6_VT8gAm0QkgRussia is forcing Ukrainians in occupied towns to join the army, a watchdog organization reports.
Human Rights Watch found that both civilians and individuals in detention centers have been threatened and pressured.
Russia has said before that it is sending Ukrainian prisoners of war into battle.
Russia is forcibly enlisting Ukrainian civilians in occupied towns and regions, making them fight against their own country, according to a new watchdog report.
The reported practice, which experts call a war crime, reflects a demand for manpower amid heavy casualties on the battlefield, longstanding problems with retention and recruitment, and the cruelty of the Russian way of war.
On Wednesday, Human Rights Watch published a report on the actions of Russian authorities in occupied regions, condemning the act of trying to forcibly enlist Ukrainian civilians and people in detention centers into the Russian military.
"Russian authorities openly and unlawfully force men in occupied areas of Ukraine to fight against their own country," said Hugh Williamson, Europe and Central Asia director at Human Rights Watch
