Russian barbarism
Horrific video shows Ukrainian soldier castrated by his captors
IN ONE of the most horrific war crimes of the Russian invasion, a Ukrainian prisoner has been castrated by his captors.
The sickening act, which was filmed and shared on Russian social media, was confirmed as genuine last night.
The footage shows the man’s hands being tied behind his back and a gag being put over his mouth. He is then forced on to the ground and his trousers are cut away. He is then mutilated using a box- cutting knife. The prisoner was wearing blue and yellow patches on his uniform, identifying him as Ukrainian.
Other videos showed Russian troops taunting him and appearing to make a telephone call to his wife. Late last night, a video emerged showing the soldier being shot in the head before his body was dragged through the streets on a rope.
Ukrainian government adviser Mykhailo Podolyak pledged to bring the perpetrators to justice.
He said: ‘The world has to realise: Russia is a country of cannibals who enjoy torture and murder. But the fog of war will not help to avoid punishment for the executioners. We will identify and get to each of you.’
Pictures of the supposed ringleader were circulating on social media yesterday. Based on his uniform, commentators suggested he may belong to the Rosgvardia national guard unit, which reports directly to the Kremlin. Other soldiers were said to belong to the Akhmat Grozny special forces unit from Russia’s region of Chechnya.
Aric Toler, a researcher for investigative website Bellingcat, said the footage showed no signs of editing or manipulation. He suggested it was possible to identify the attacker as he had previously appeared on Russian TV at the Azot chemical plant in Severodonetsk. He was wearing the same broad-rimmed
‘Russia is a country of cannibals’
hunter’s hat and bracelet, as well as the same uniform and insignia.
The Ukrainian prosecutor’s office said it was gathering documentation of more than 14,000 alleged Russian war crimes, and had identified more than 600 suspects. Marie Struthers, Amnesty International’s Eastern European director, said: ‘ Those suspected of criminal responsibility for this horrific assault must be investigated. International law is clear: prisoners must not be subjected to any form of torture or ill treatment. Their rights must be respected in accordance with the Geneva Convention.’
Outrage over the incident came as separatist authorities in Russianoccupied Donetsk accused Ukraine of shelling a prison colony, killing 53 prisoners and injuring 75 more.
The separatists claimed Ukrainian forces targeted the prison to punish troops who allegedly surrendered and were going to testify against Ukraine. Footage released by Russian state television appeared to show a prison cell with charred bunk beds.
Ukrainian military sources said Russian artillery fire struck the penal facility in Olenivka.