Bucha, Irpin, Lyman, Izyum: The pictures of the Russian atrocities in Ukraine have been going around the world for months. War crimes are mentioned over and over. A Russian deserter told CNN how brutal the soldiers really are. Nikita Chibrin served with the 64th Motor Rifle Brigade. A unit accused of committing war crimes in several Ukrainian cities.
“There are madmen who enjoy killing a man. Such madmen have appeared there,” he says. The orders from the superiors were clear: “We must kill anyone who can pass on information about the unit’s positions — even civilians. If someone had a phone, we could shoot them.”
Russian looting: “The more expensive, the better”
Violent acts against Ukrainian women occurred again and again. “They raped a mother and her daughter.” Your superiors should have known. Their response? “A shrug.” The criminals were never arrested. The only result: liberation from the war. The commander in charge is called Azatbek Omurbekow (39). He allegedly ordered the murder of hundreds of civilians in Bucha. The Kremlin denies any involvement in the massacres.
Chibrin’s troops were also looking for valuables. “When we left Lipovka and Andriyivka at the end of March, we took some civilian cars and sold them in Belarus.” Computers, jewelery and other items were also taken. The soldiers could boast about that. “The mentality prevailed: ‘If you steal something, you’re good.’ The more expensive the better.” CNN has confronted the Russian Defense Ministry with the allegations. So far no answer has come.
«Of course Russia will lose»
Chibrin defected from the Russian army in September and fled to Europe via Belarus and Kazakhstan. He applied for asylum in an unknown country. From a safe distance he observes the course of the war with great concern. “Russia will not stop until all soldiers are dead. They see the hunters as cannon fodder. That’s disrespectful!”
He does not believe that Vladimir Putin (70) will win. “Of course Russia will lose.” Why? “Because the whole world supports Ukraine.” Their weapons are a lot more modern and better than those of the Kremlin troops. He experienced this himself on the spot. He also considers the preparation of the Russian military to be insufficient. “The superiors gave us a rifle, a target and 5,000 rounds.” Enough combat training? no.
Now Chibrin wants to hold his colleagues accountable for their crimes. He is prepared to testify against his unit before an international criminal court. He himself has not committed any crimes, he claims. (no)