During a retreat from Kharkiv, Russian forces have reportedly utilized civilians as human shields, escorting them through a gas pipeline. Videos surfaced showing a group of nine individuals, including children and elderly, being guided from Kupiansk through the village of Holubivka into the “Shebelinka – Ostrogozk” gas pipeline.
According to reports from the organization “Charter”, the pipeline has been exploited by Russian troops to covertly funnel their soldiers into the city, under the guise of civilian movement. Onlookers noted that men of conscription age accompanied the civilians, leading to suspicions that they may be Russian soldiers disguised in civilian clothing to evade detection.
Ukrainian military sources indicated that civilians would have to traverse over 10 kilometers through the pipeline, which ultimately leads into a wooded area, presumably to be transported to occupied territories. Russian forces recorded the entire route on camera.
Ukrainian forces refrained from opening fire on the group, recognizing the presence of civilians, including children and the elderly. This tactic appears to have been strategically calculated by the Russian military.
The use of civilians as human shields is prohibited under international law, a point emphasized by “Charter”. They also warned that footage of this incident might soon surface in Russian media, misrepresented as “evacuation” or “rescue of peaceful residents” with interviews from pro-Russian locals.
The Ukrainian military has documented this situation for further investigation into potential war crimes.
