It was the man’s last words that made him a hero in Ukraine and worldwide: “Slava Ukrajini”, “Glory to Ukraine”, says the unarmed soldier in the direction of the one filming him with his mobile phone. The soldier puffs on his cigarette, then dozens of shots are fired and he falls to the ground.
Russian epithets are yelled at him and even as he lies dead on the floor, more shots are fired into his head and body.
The video surfaced on the internet Monday and its authenticity cannot be independently verified, but both the Wagner mercenary group and the Russian military are already known for their members filming and posting their war crimes online. In any case, the authenticity can be assumed.
The Ukrainian army said on Tuesday it had identified the soldier. The murdered man is therefore a soldier of the 30th Mechanized Brigade, the Ukrainian army reports in the Telegram online service. He last fought near Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine and has been missing since February 3. The soldier’s family also stated that they clearly recognized him.
The shooting of a prisoner of war, that is the soldier at the moment when he is surrounded by the other side unarmed, is such a war crime.
The man has been celebrated as a hero on the internet since Monday. Journalists, politicians and individuals from all over the world shared the video and expressed their respect for the murdered man. There are already drawings of him, images of him standing defenseless with his cigarette, sometimes like a broken man: the last seconds of his life.
The Instagram channel of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense published a screenshot of the video and called for donations in this context. “Turn your anger into donations to the people and foundations you trust”writes the ministry.
Even Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to the video. In his daily video address, the president first started by talking about the situation in the hotly contested city of Bakhmut.
A lot of disinformation is being spread, the Ukrainian troops are not retreating because no Ukrainian territory should be left to the occupiers.
He further said:
In this context, Zelenskyj then addressed the murder of the soldier. He said: “Today a video surfaced of the occupiers brutally killing a warrior who bravely said to them, ‘Glory to Ukraine!’ I want us all to respond to his words together, in unity: “Glory to the hero! Honor the heroes! Glory to Ukraine!'”
The killers will be found and brought to justice.
(With material from AFP/cpf)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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