Featured Photo: Distribution from Kharkov. The explanation regarding the photo is given below. Taking photos of faces and publishing is a criminal action. Even the request for photos places one under “suspicion.” The electronic battlefield is not restricted by physical borders. The mobile phones have proven to be one of the greatest sources for destructive attacks. Those who disregard or think the rules do not apply to them are dangerous. Read below and understand why.
As I navigate my way out of Ukraine I leave these two thoughts for today’s report.
Cherkassy, Ukraine
Recently we met with a group from Cherkassy. They sent this letter in response to the meeting.
Letter-to-John.FR12Why is it dangerous to share pictures of the combatants in Ukraine?
Taking pictures of soldiers and/or military equipment (even individuals and especially children) is forbidden in Ukraine.
If you take such pictures and get caught, you’ll be in trouble. Sharing any of these images is much worse, and in extreme cases, you could face prosecution and jail time.
Not only images of combatants but even seemingly innocent pictures may reveal information to the Russians that you might not be aware of. Take, for example, this picture:
These bars are often found on private houses rented by the army. Many soldiers like to stay fit and work out.
If you photograph a street and one of the houses has such a training device, it almost certainly indicates troop accommodations; not just in that house but likely along the entire street.
So, you might post a picture of a picturesque street far from the fighting, and all the Russians would need to do is send a missile there.
It’s best to avoid posting pictures altogether, but for some folks, this isn’t feasible. (Photos make them money.)
A good rule of thumb is to wait two months before posting anything. Troops move around a lot, and the frontline changes constantly. Tactical information that’s 60 days old is most often outdated.
Additionally, you can redact parts of your pictures or crop out sensitive areas. License plates, unit emblems, and faces should never appear in images depicting soldiers or military hardware.
And if you haven’t disabled “location” in your phone settings (an absolute must before you go near the frontline), you need to remove the location data from the metadata file.
That others are less careful and share whatever they photograph, is not your concern. They are the ones who may have to live with the fact that their carelessness cost lives. Better safe than sorry. (Roland Bartetzko)
The fact that I can communicate the Lord’s compassion to those struggling with the horrors of war, brings them relief to some degree in their traumas. THANK YOU for your support and donations that makes this possible.
John L. Kachelman, Jr, Ukraine Missions, Dalraida Church of Christ, P.O. Box 3085, Montgomery, AL 36109
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