New educational initiative in Ukraine increases soldiers’ awareness of international humanitarian law

This educational project is set to increase awareness among the Ukrainian military about the norms of international humanitarian law (IHL).

What is the problem?

Military personnel have an insufficient understanding of international humanitarian law. IHL provides the basis for conducting military operations that do not violate the rules of war and preserve civilian lives in armed conflicts. Moreover, the knowledge of international humanitarian law influences the behavior of combatants in the long term. After all, these general rules should serve as a guide for practical behavior during hostilities. That is why it is necessary to understand the central norms of IHL, correctly interpret them and analyze the possible operational consequences.

What is the solution?

Warriors of Light Code is designed to guide military personnel and spread knowledge about international humanitarian law. The Code is intended to convey the standards of conduct for the military according to the IHL norms.

How does it work?

Warriors of Light Code project invites soldiers to consider how certain norms and rules of international humanitarian law are implemented during hostilities. These topics are "packaged" in video conversations on the YouTube channel and posted on the project's Instagram page.

The famous film director Liubomyr Levytskyi, together with the military, discussed the critical provisions of the Geneva Conventions and described the standards of conduct for soldiers to ensure the suffering of civilians and the destruction of civilian infrastructure are minimized, to avoid the unjustified use of force and harm to the civilian population, which may occur during an armed conflict.

Activists Yulia Paevska ("Taira"), Dmytro Finashyn (FIN), Mamuka Mamulashvili, Viacheslav Raievskyi, Serhii Mokreniuk, and others took part in the project.

"Everything starts with education," Liubomyr Levytskyi, Ukrainian film director, screenwriter, and producer, says. "This includes military affairs and even more so in conditions of armed conflict. First, you need to know and understand warfare rules to save civilians. It is tough, but if you study step by step, it is possible."

Dmytro "FIN" Finashyn, a soldier of the National Guard of Ukraine, adds, "These rules were written for a reason. They were created to protect the civilian population and to be more humane towards the enemy. Then you will fight such an enemy just as honestly."

Kyrylo Tereshchenko, director of the MAKE SENSE strategic marketing agency: "The Code of Warriors of Light was created as an educational project for the military. Still, we hope it will become a true analog of the Bushido Samurai code of honor. After all, it describes the rules of behavior in challenging situations when the safety and lives of civilians depend on the military's decision. Following the rules of warfare distinguishes a warrior of light from darkness, makes them worthy of a high rank, and increases professionalism and respect for the entire army."

Where to find the videos?

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Warriors_Of_Light 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/warriors_of_light_code/?hl=uk 

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/Warriors.Of.Light.Code 

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@warriors_of_light_code