GoPro video from a recent assault against Russian forces shows the capture of a Russian POW at the conclusion of an all out attack against an entrenched position.

There's a lot of talk from Russians on this video stating that the Ukrainian committed a war crime by firing over the shoulder of the POW and then again by punching him in the face. While I agree that prisoners are something that should be handled delicately, it's important to remember the context of the situation you're watching.

You're looking at an assault force coming up on the consolidation phase of a very real-world attack against an entrenched enemy force. There's a very high probability that the assault team has left a few of their brother's in the dirt behind them as they maneuvered on the Russian's position, and tensions are probably running a little high considering the Ukrainians are still actively exploiting a retreating enemy force after the POW is hauled off camera to a position of relative safety per the unit's EPW plan.

I doubt that the Russian Soldier in this video, even a decade after this is all said and done, will feel animosity towards the facial love tap he received from the Ukrainians who took him prisoner. Hell, he probably won't even remember being socked in the jaw since time his brain (which is under the influence of very high levels of adrenaline) is probably warping the state of reality around him. It's the heat of the moment, at least he'll live and not end up in a Telegram group chat with his face being blown off shortly after he finishes his last cigarette.

About the Author

Josh Brooks

Josh is an American writer and former USMC machine gunner with eight years of experience in ground combat arms throughout the GWOT. He is currently based in Texas and specializes in combat footage analysis and digital marketing.Follow Josh at OfficialJoshBrooks.com