Name: Russia using 'Red Cross' ambulances as a ruse to practise killing enemy forces
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Russia using 'Red Cross' ambulances as a ruse to practise killing enemy forces

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EXCLUSIVE: There is fury among western military experts at Russia's 'inhuman betrayal of the sanctity of all laws covering armed conflict' as Russian troops were photographed using ambulances bearing the Red Cross symbol as coverRussian special forces are using “Red Cross” flagged ambulances to practise brutal ambush techniques, in a blatant breach of the Geneva Convention. Moscow’s naval commandos were spotted using medical wagons as a ruse to kill imaginary enemy forces, just six miles from their border with Norway. The astonishing breach – publicised on the Russian MoD website - has sparked fury among western military experts, with one ex-UK Army commander telling the Daily Mirror: “It is an horrific ruse beyond belief. “If Russian forces are using ambulances carrying Red Cross or Red Crescent insignia it is an inhuman betrayal of the sanctity of all laws covering armed conflict.” The former British defence attache to Afghanistan, retired British Army Colonel Simon Diggins, told the Daily Mirror: “War is bloody and it is awful. One of the few shreds of humanity and decency in war is the respect held for the Red Cross and Red Crescent. What is your view? Have your say in the comment section“These symbols represent a chance for all parties to treat people with humanity and to misuse these symbols is nothing short of a war-crime. “It makes me both angry and sad beyond belief that they would do this and I believe it is a great betrayal of the Russian people too. “I have worked with Russian soldiers in the UN, as well as Ukrainian forces who had been in the former Soviet military. They were just like us, decent people. “If this is happening now, I believe that to be so misled and misguided that someone would misuse a symbol of good in armed conflict is ghastly beyond belief.” The Arctic special forces troops were photographed using ambulances bearing the Red Cross symbol as cover, concealing heavy weapons being carried on board. Russian military officials have confirmed the incident at Pechenga, close to Norway, involved practising raiding, ambush and counter-sabotage operations. It comes as thousands more Russian troops and armour have been called up to the border with East Ukraine amid fears of a massive escalation in fighting. But Russian military officials have openly publicised the recent exercise which experts warn could be a prelude to more dirty warfare tactics from Moscows forces. Justifying the picture on their website the Russian MoD described the officers of the 61st Naval Infantry Spetsnaz Reconnaissance Group as: “...developing skills in making non-standard decisions in a dynamically changing environment.” In describing the exercise, which involved troops pouring from an ambulance to launch and attack enemy forces, Moscow’s MoD added: “Unit commanders made unexpected adjustment during tactical training.” Former Russian soldiers have in the past revealed they only became aware of the existence of the Red Cross symbol long into their military careers. Many Russian operations, including air strikes on medical facilities, in Syria have revealed a callous disregard or concern for civilian casualties.Dr Saleyha Ahsan, a former British Army officer and now a director at Action On Armed Violence charity, said: “This way of practising war-fighting breaks all of the rules that have been so sacred to me and other armed forces personnel. “When I was at Sandhurst training to be an officer we were given the Geneva Convention and in Bosnia we carried it everywhere. “This is something we held very sacred, that we protected. I cannot begin to tell you how shocked I am that this is happening. “There is a grave and terrible threat to the sanctity of healthcare work in conflict and Russian forces appear to be normalising it by training to break the rules.” Dr Ahsan, who is studying a PHD on healthcare in war zones at Cambridge University, added: “It horrifies me and something has to be done about it. It means they are practising this for future wars, as they already have done in Syria. “Healthcare people and vehicles have to be protected and I fear this story shows we are now entering really dark times.” - Analysis, by Chris Hughes Openly boasting about practising to use Red Cross-tagged ambulances to attack blows apart any pretence by Russian commanders that they care about rules. In conflicts all over the world the rules of engagement change according to the threat level and the situation at the time but for almost a century there has been a constant. That is that medical facilities are out of bounds, such as hospital and ambulances clearly marked with the red cross and cannot be targeted by either fighting side.Frequently over the years these rules have been flouted by many different armies but the standard remains and acts as a boundary strictly observed by British and other NATO forces. Any suspicion of the rules governing conflict can result in the UK in years of investigations into the behaviour of British troops, as seen in northern Ireland and Iraq. The British authorities have been so keen to be seen to observe the Geneva Convention that it has sadly been at the expense of the careers and personal lives of many innocent British troops. Just as they have done with their blatant military Novichok attack in Salisbury and countless provable breaches of the rules in Syria, Russia is now revealing that flouting the rules is a policy. This contemptuous and macho abandonment of the rules is so shocking that yesterday one senior British military veteran I spoke to was moved to tears of frustration and anger. And it shows that for Russian special forces, who will face no accountability for this latest breach, are able to operate to pursue their means to an end with brutal impunity.Follow MORE ON

EXCLUSIVE: There is fury among western military experts at Russia's 'inhuman betrayal of the sanctity of all laws covering armed conflict' as Russian troops were photographed using ambulances bearing the Red Cross symbol as coverRussian special forces are using “Red Cross” flagged ambulances to practise brutal ambush techniques, in a blatant breach of the Geneva Convention. Moscow’s naval commandos were spotted using medical wagons as a ruse to kill imaginary enemy forces, just six miles from their border with Norway. The astonishing breach – publicised on the Russian MoD website - has...

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Chris Hughes

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Russia using 'Red Cross' ambulances as a ruse to practise killing enemy forces

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