Quote (Goomshill @ Jun 9 2022 10:33am)

non-RU link;
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jun/09/britons-sentenced-to-death-russian-occupied-ukraine-aiden-aslin-shaun-pinner

This is the next logical step in the escalation of show trials between Ukraine and Russia. Instead of holding POWs by international law and treating them with dignity, both sides are going to mistreat them and use them for propaganda and subject them to show trials. No doubt Russia plans to continue exploiting these POWs as an example, probably going to let their sentence appeals drag out and try to trade them with the UK as leverage. I guess the difference between this and taking hostages is that Russia can maintain the fig leaf of legitimacy that they are mercenaries in an undeclared war, as opposed to Ukrainian POWs or innocent civilians. And that is no doubt why they're raising the stakes to the death penalty for posturing, as opposed to just detaining and dragging out trials for the likes of Brittney Griner

Ball is in Boris Johnson's court now.

Quote

Both Britons have said they were serving in the Ukrainian marines, making them active-duty soldiers who should be protected by the Geneva conventions on prisoners of war. However, Russian state media has portrayed them as mercenaries, and the court has convicted them on the charge of “being a mercenary”.

Quote (Santara @ 9 Jun 2022 20:01)

Next logical escalation is sentencing any and all Wagner Nazis to death.

Quote (Santara @ Jun 9 2022 12:01pm)

Next logical escalation is sentencing any and all Wagner Nazis to death.

Quote (Santara @ Jun 9 2022 11:01am)

Next logical escalation is sentencing any and all Wagner Nazis to death.

Quote (SunnyvaleTrailerPark @ Jun 9 2022 06:52pm)

While everyone got baited in this obvious bait, the rich are getting richer from this war and contractors will make an insane amount of money on the back of the peasants who will pay bigger prices for everything (Food, Fuel...). Same reasons we went to war in the middle east (Oil $, Poppies field, Banking system being implemented there) on the back of the peasants.

The only one that lose = the people while they (corporations, politicians) get richer. Keep fighting against each other to see who's best between Russia/Ukraine while the people in both countries lose while their politicians enrich themselves even more. Keep dividing yourselves over something you have no idea/control over.

Quote (Djunior @ 9 Jun 2022 19:07)

That's old news. happens in every war.

The crux is that this war could've been avoided. The West (NATO) failed by calling Russian demands a non-starter.

Negotiations should've taken place, it's a matter of give and take. NATO withdrawing from Eastern EU would be out of the question but on the other hand security guarantees should've been given which had to include a neutral Ukraine (meaning no NATO / EU membership for Ukraine).

Quote (Ironfister @ Jun 9 2022 07:30pm)

Dont the Ukraine have security guarantees from Russia already?
How many times you want them to negotiate security gaurantees and give in something for that everytime?
Dont you understand, that Ukrainians dont want to be slaves of the evil and aggressive Kremlin empire?
Freedom has its price sometimes.
Ukraine was rejected NATO entry so that NATO pleases Russian.
Now we see where the policy of pleasing Putin lead us.
This war could have been avoided if Ukraine wasnt denied NATO.
The blood is on German and French politicians.

Quote (chopstickz777 @ Jun 9 2022 12:07pm)

Those people they caught *are* mercs regardless, and they will get the punishment the court sees fit that they deserve.

Quote (Santara @ Jun 9 2022 11:36am)

Wearing the uniform of the Ukrainian military makes them POWs under the Geneva convention, no matter how they got there or who pays them.