When Ukrainian Surgeons Treat Russian POWs

Because the conflict in Ukraine rages on, some Ukrainian physicians have discovered themselves within the uncommon place of getting to offer medical look after wounded Russian troopers held as Prisoners Of Struggle (POWs).

One Ukrainian surgeon who most well-liked to be recognized by solely his first identify Vitaliy described how three Russian soldiers were brought to him with serious wounds: “[T]hey had been shot a number of instances and one of many males’s legs was damaged.” Dr. Vitaliy did his finest to save lots of them. One died of his wounds, however the different two survived.

As can be anticipated, Dr. Vitaliy felt sturdy emotional conflicts: “I feel we should always assist them however in fact typically the sensation I’ve about it’s horrible. It appears like I’m doing one thing unsuitable… I may be serving to my individuals however I’ve to spend time serving to that piece of sh-t.”

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It is a fully comprehensible response.

As of March 29, 2022, Russian forces have killed or injured thousands of Ukrainian civilians, in addition to displaced thousands and thousands of refugees. Ukrainian physicians have struggled to offer care to wounded civilians and their very own troopers under challenging circumstances. I, too, would have a tough time offering medical care to members of an enemy army who only some hours in the past had been doing their finest to kill my associates and family members.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian authorities have stated that, “We’re dedicated to fulfilling the Geneva Conventions and have instructed all items to deal with all prisoners with respect.”

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This consists of the next provision of the Third Geneva Convention of 1949: “Wounded or in poor health POWs ought to be supplied with the identical medical care that’s given to the members of the armed forces of the Detaining Energy.”

Though this can be emotionally tough, Dr. Vitaliy understood his function: “[W]e do our job as a result of it’s our job and our responsibility… And, in fact, after they recuperate we will change them. So I inform myself that this may help to get Ukrainian troopers again.”

Notably, he understood that there was each an ethical and a sensible dimension to adhering to worldwide norms of doctor conduct throughout wartime.

The Ukrainian and Russian authorities have exchanged a few prisoners, however not many. We don’t have a lot data on how Russian physicians are treating captured Ukrainian troopers. However it nonetheless advantages Ukraine to stick to the Geneva Conventions with respect to POWs, no matter whether or not or not Russia does.

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Therefore, I applaud Ukrainian physicians equivalent to Dr. Vitaliy who’re capable of maintain this bigger context in thoughts when treating captured POWs. Their actions can solely improve Ukraine’s standing in world opinion.

(I’m conscious there’s a controversy concerning Ukrainian therapy of captured Russians, separate from their medical therapy. However this subject is exterior the scope of this piece.)