Russian troops in Kharkiv Oblast used civilians as human shields and forced them through gas pipeline to Russia – video

Ukrainian forces have recorded Russian troops in Kharkiv Oblast using civilians as human shields to escape an attack on 27 September and forcing them through a gas pipeline into Russia.

Source: Khartiia Corps of Ukraine's National Guard

Quote: "On 27 September, reconnaissance drones operated by the 2nd Khartia Corps of the National Guard of Ukraine recorded Russian troops taking civilians out of the Kupiansk hromada in Kharkiv Oblast. The Corps is conducting counteroffensive operations, and the Russian troops are fleeing while hiding behind civilians."

Details: The video shows nine people, including children, some elderly people and one person on crutches. Men of conscription age wearing civilian clothes are walking alongside them. "Most likely, these are Russian troops who have taken off their uniforms and are escaping the attack, using children and elderly people as human shields," Khartiia said.

It stated that the people had been led from Kupiansk through the village of Holubivka to the Shebelinka-Ostrogozhsk gas pipeline and forced inside the pipe. Russian troops use the pipeline to covertly bring their assault troops into the city and are now using the same pipeline to abduct civilians.

Ukrainian troops said the children and elderly people would have to travel more than 10 kilometres through the pipeline. The pipe emerges in a forest, from where the people will presumably be taken to occupied territory. Russian troops filmed them throughout the journey.

"Ukrainian troops saw the group but did not open fire because there were civilians there: children and elderly people. The Russians were counting on this. Under international law, each of these actions by the occupying forces constitutes a crime," Khartiia said.

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