Originally Posted by
Bell_ringer
In the context of international law, it makes no difference if it was voluntary or not. In this instance it was solicited, so would be considered a warcrime, one in a long list during recent conflicts.
Like all laws there is small print, which is why lawyers exist.
The only "court" this is being tried in is the court of public opinion, which has somewhat more flexible interpretations of what is acceptable or not.
But if the targets themselves were not valid military targets (power stations. bridges, civilian infrastructure) then what's war-crimeiest? Targeting them, or enlisting the populace to stand alongside them?