Interfax: DPR claims number of Ukrainian troops unwilling to continue war goes up considerably

Map of Western CIS/FSU and European Environs

MOSCOW. July 29 (Interfax) – Defense Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Igor Strelkov has banned to shoot at Ukrainian servicemen willing to surrender, the DPR official mission in Russia said.

“Following ideas of humanity for the sake of ceasing bloodshed and saving lives of Ukrainian servicemen sent forcibly to the area of fratricidal slaughter, I order all commanders and fighters of the DPR militia forces not to open fire at groups or single serviceman of the Ukrainian armed forces, who rose a white flag or defined their intention to surrender in another way,” Strelkov’s order, obtained by Interfax on Tuesday, said.

“Sharp increase in the number of servicemen, not willing to continue the fratricidal war and refusing to comply with criminal orders of commandership, is observed” lately in the Ukrainian armed forces, the document said.

“After disarming and searching for arms, such individuals should be allowed through own battle lines and gathered at special sites in order to be sent to home front with security detail. Such individuals are given status of war prisoners,” the document said.

The order also foresees that persons, who laid down arms voluntarily, surrendered to DPR militia forces and who have not committed serious crimes during battle actions in Novorossiya, could return to families in Ukraine, or join DPR militia, or be sent to Russia as refugees.

In accordance with the Geneva agreement on rules of holding battle actions, war prisoners are provided with food and medical care and it is prohibited to execute, torture and abuse them, Strelkov said.

 

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