Thread by @MarkHertling

Having now read this most recent @usosce summary report 3 times yesterday and again once this morning, I've tried to wrap my head around Russian military actions in Ukraine.

I can't. With each read, there's more disgust.

A 🧵 on war crimes. 1/12

https://twitter.com/USAmbOSCE/status/1547620185460199425

The US rep to @OSCE is @mikercarpenter, a man I deeply respect from previous interactions.

Having served many years in Europe, I have deep appreciation & respect for the very difficult mission the Commission has executed over the years.

Here's a summary of what OSCE does. 2/

It originated in a mid-1975 Conference held in Helsinki & it was created as a forum to discuss issues between the eastern & western bloc during the cold war. 57 countries participate.

The OSCE helps in conflict prevention, crisis management, & post-conflict rehabilitation. 3/

In effect, their primary mission is to prevent conflict, but they also contribute to arms control, promotion of human rights, free and fair elections, protection of the free press.

Since 2014, after the MH17 shootdown & the RU invasion, they've had steady presence in Ukraine.4/

This report on and evidence of war crimes committed by RU is staggering:

-Systemic, planned, deliberate & indiscriminate attacks on civilians
-Establishment of formal torture chambers & extrajudicial executions
-Mass forcible transfer & use of "filtration centers" 5/

-Widespread mass rapes & indiscriminate murders, including these acts against 100's of children
-Approved looting & resale of stolen personal property
-Conscription of Ukrainians to fight AGAINST their fellow citizens
-Use of banned weapons against UA & Ukraine citizens 6/

-Precision targeting of hundreds of protected infrastructure: Schools, hospitals, water and energy plants, military medical treatment centers
-The theft of thousands of tons of grain as part of a with a planned attempt to exacerbate famine in other regions/countries. 7/

All wide-scale & flagrant breaches of the rules of land warfare & established international law...and morality:

It is relatively easy to tie all these acts to specific violations of International Humanitarian Law under the Geneva Conventions & its additional protocols.
8/

Sherman is alleged to have said: "War is hell." Those who've experienced it - who have the responsibility of command & waging war - know that's true.

But one of the many jobs of military leaders is to "control violence."

Morality, law, training & discipline requires it. 9/

Unfortunately, there will always be conflict. But societies & humanity have evolved & attempted to reduce human suffering through:

-Trained & disciplined professional armies
-Leader accountability
-Precision weapons
-Laws & protocols
-Advanced in human morality & decency 10/

Every army will have individuals who violate these laws and standards of discipline within their ranks.

In combat, I had several instances where I had to discipline those who did.

But what Russia is doing is widespread, inherent in their actions, blessed by their leaders. 11/

That's why Putin must remain a pariah on the world stage...forever. No coming back.

That's why RU commanders must be held accountable for criminal action. "Lack of knowledge" or "just following orders" aren't excuses.

No deliberations or cease fires, continued support. 12/12