Muzhenko: Russia opened an investigation into 37 members of the Ukrainian military
The Russian Investigative Committee is trying a case against 37 members of the Ukrainian military as stated by the head of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Viktor Muzhenko, at a meeting with the members of the Kyiv association of military attachés,
"There are more than 30 Ukrainian soldiers, against whom the Investigative Committee of Russia initiated criminal proceedings. According to our information, there are 37 such people. I think that in this situation, law enforcement agencies of Ukraine also should work to collect the relevant facts and evidence in order to protect these military. They are soldiers doing their duty to protect the country," said Muzhenko, as quoted by the Defense Ministry's press service.
Muzhenko stressed that the military should fulfill their constitutional duty to protect the country but in Russia their actions are interpreted as a violation of the rules of the conduct of war.
In 2015, Russia's Investigative Committee said that its jurisdiction extends to Ukraine as international humanitarian laws allegedly make it possible to investigate "war crimes against the peace and security of mankind” that are committed on the territory of another state.