Russian infantryman shares insights on killing of captured Ukrainian forces

Russian infantry soldier reveals details of murdering Ukrainian captives

In the ongoing conflict in Eastern Ukraine, a chilling account of war crimes has come to light. A Russian soldier, Ivan Okhlopkov, has admitted to his involvement in the execution of five captured Ukrainian soldiers in the village of Karlovka near Avdiivka on May 5, 2024.

Okhlopkov, who belongs to the "Somalia Battalion", a unit previously accused of war crimes, stated that the order for the execution came from a commander named Kristina, whose nickname was "Witch". However, no relevant search results are available that identify the unit to which "Witch" belongs.

The soldiers were allegedly taken to a garden, made to kneel, and shot in the back of the head. Their bodies were left unburied and were eventually destroyed by mortar shells. The Ukrainian Prosecutor General's Office has reported 208 Ukrainian prisoners executed on the battlefield, but a request for information about the soldiers killed in Karlovka has so far gone unanswered.

The Polish-Belarusian media outlet "Vot Tak", a part of Belsat, a TV channel for Belarus operated by the Polish public broadcaster TVP since 2007, has been reporting on these war crimes. "Vot Tak" aims to counter Russian and Belarusian propaganda and has been designated as a "foreign agent" by the Russian Justice Ministry since January 2024.

The European External Action Service (EEAS) has learned of the execution of at least 177 Ukrainian prisoners since the start of the war, according to the Ukrainian portal Kyiv Independent. Most executions were ordered by Russian superiors.

It is important to note that the Russian's statements about the executions could not be independently verified. However, the consistent reports of war crimes by the "Somalia Battalion" and other Russian units raise serious concerns about the conduct of the Russian military in the conflict.

"Vot Tak" works with BBC Russia and has been instrumental in bringing these accounts to light. As the investigation continues, it is crucial that all parties involved in the conflict uphold the laws of war and respect the dignity and lives of all combatants and civilians.