What is the deal with the Russian troops not wearing insignia in Ukraine?

[Pterodactyl]

Why have they removed all the insignia from their uniforms and vehicles?

Do they think we won't know who they are?

Is that even legal?

[elleng]

1. 'Legal' according to whom?

putin wants 'plausible deniability.'

[Pterodactyl]

3. The laws of war. The Geneva Conventions and such.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_war#Lawful_conduct_of_belligerent_actors

[ConservativeDemocrat]

8. Technically speaking, if they were captured, they could be summarily executed

...without trial, as all non-protected combatants can be. However that's not going to happen.

- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community

[Democracyinkind]

11. That hasn't been true in a very long time.

There is no internatonal treaty that forces combattants to wear national insignia. Not doing so is not an offense. The only requirement is a clear distinction from non-combattants, a hat or even a piece of cloth may do.

Your assertion is very 19-centurish.

[Gravitycollapse]

2. I do not believe it is a requirement of the Geneva convention to wear identifying insignia.

They are only required to be readily identifiable as a combatant. And their fatigues easily meet that requirement.

[Pterodactyl]

5. I'm not a lawyer, but I think it might be.

Check out this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laws_of_war#Lawful_conduct_of_belligerent_actors

[Gravitycollapse]

6. They are wearing distinct military uniforms and openly carrying their firearms.

Which seems to meet the requirements.

[Adrahil]

4. Yeah, Russia is now denying these are Russian troops...

Which is a complete laugh. Kyiv Post had a recording of a confrontation between a Russian Officer and a Ukrainian officer where the Russian officer admitted he was Russian and under orders from Moscow.

These guys are in well-maintained Russian military vehicles, using current Russian issue small arms, and in current Russian battle dress.

Not Russian my ass.....

[CK_John]

7. They are making a point of our mass use of hired combatants in civilian clothing.

[bemildred]

14. +1. nt

[jsr]

9. Shady, but not illegal:

http://www.ibtimes.com/russias-use-unmarked-troops-simferopol-crimea-shady-not-illegal-1559425

[Democracyinkind]

10. Standard procedure for special forces in such situations. nt

[stranger81]

12. How many of them are mercenaries?

Now that Erik Prince has relocated his operations to Africa, who knows what he's up to. And he's not the only one.

[Adrahil]

13. Those are not mercenaries...

Look at the pics. Those are not battle hardened warriors. Most of them are young kids. Equipped identically. With Russian equipment, weapons, and uniforms. Son, those are Russian troops. They ain't mercs, and they ain't a militia.

[pampango]

15. "... the lack of insignia provides plausible deniability. Putin and others can say that those troops

all over Crimea are not Russian soldiers. Those who want to believe him are not confronted with the visible proof that insignia would provide."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10024611875