dutchguylivingintheuk
Veteran
Geneva convention is nice and all weren't it for the fact that it is ignored by Russia from the start. (not only of this conflict.) and to an extent by the UK and US as well in different conflicts.I was questioning where the line was between targeting and not targeting though. Do you have to be directly trying to kill civilians for it to be classed as against the Geneva Convention or is destroying their power in the height of winter covered? I have no issue with it as the Russians are the aggressors and their population is culpable for the actions of their Government but there most be a fine line legally.
I personally see the targeting of the Russian power networks knowing full well how much backup capacity they have as completely different than Russia targeting Ukraine's power plants, knowing full well Ukraine has much more issues restoring the power back up. Apart from the fact that targeting Moscow power plant(s)is primarily hitting those who can stop this war, again leading to an inconvenience to them not a threat or life.
It was, the point is what are the sanctions for breaking the convention? and the answer to that question explains exactly why it is broken so many timesNot sure that’s how the Geneva Convention works. They’re either both legal acts or both illegal acts. It seems a bit of a grey area which and comes down to what the likely affects will be of cutting off civilian power supplies. FWIW many Western governments were arguing it was illegal when Russia did it initially.
Russians and Iranians sadly have a bit of experience with hitting down civilian unrest. often coming down too kill until the fear takes over. Having said that it seems to be a happening more, more frequently and more intense so maybe at some point they will win. Lets hope whoever than takes over has the poeple's vote.Iranians are protesting en masse and it's bedlam. 5 protester deaths and the people are calling for the Royal family to return - who are living in exile in the US.
Meanwhile Putin has sent 7 large military aircrafts in to support the regime. Carrying men and munitions.
Now he's fighting a war on multiple fronts.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. I don't think it will be cheap however Putin plays it but the threat of a major ally and consumer going the wrong way must be weighing on him.