Russian paratroopers are not prisoners of war, they were detained for crossing the Ukrainian border, but law enforcement agencies are investigating their possible involvement in terrorist activities, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) spokesman Andriy Lysenko has said.
“Since Ukraine is not officially at war with any country in the world, all those who violated the state border are not prisoners of war, and they are detainees. This also concerns the detained paratroopers,” he said at a briefing on Wednesday, Aug. 27.
He said that the Russian paratroopers were a pre-trial detention center, with law enforcement agencies working with them and determining the level of their guilt, “and they are also witnesses.”
Lysenko said that only a fine was envisaged for the illegal crossing of the border.
He said that Russian paratroopers could be charged with “participation in a terrorist organization” (according to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, it is punishable by imprisonment from eight to 15 years), “promoting the activity of a terrorist organization” and the “illegal handling of weapons.”
According to Lysenko, ”we are on the territory of the state, where there are laws, and they will be punished in line with these laws if the guilt of these detainees is confirmed.”
