…Researched and contributed by Solomon Thomas.
A former member of the Russian mercenary group Wagner has confirmed that his former unit members have been beheading Ukrainian soldiers.
Earlier this week, video footage of gruesome beheadings was circulated on Russian social media.
The first video shows a barbaric execution, while the second clip apparently recorded quite recently near Bakhmut, shows the Ukrainians’ corpses being mutilated after death.
Although this footage was believed to have been recorded by members of the Wagner Group, several leaders associated with it apparently denied this.
Confirmation from a Former Member
Despite the denial from Wagner bosses, a former member of the group has confirmed that it is true, and even pointed out his former colleagues in one video.
According to anti-Kremlin Russian media outlet Meduza, human rights activist Vladimir Osechkin claims that he had spoken to former Wagner member Andrey Medvedev.
Medvedev fled from the group earlier this year and is now seeking asylum in Norway.
Osechkin said that “Medvedev definitely recognizes his colleagues, Wagner Group troops, based on their nicknames, the way they talk, and their manner when talking over the radio.”
He also said that it was very similar to footage from 2017 showing Wagner mercenaries carrying out horrifying executions of Syrian Prisoners of War.
Calls for Perpetrators to be Brought to Justice
Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelenskyy condemned the videos and vowed that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.
A reward has now been placed on any information being given to Osechkin’s Gulagu.net advocacy project if it leads to the confirmed identification of any members of the Wagner Group who took part in the executions.
The Kremlin has not made any comment on the videos, which would constitute as war crimes if verified.
Commentary
This news is disturbing, to say the least.
It is a clear indication of the lack of humanity and disregard for human life in modern warfare.
The fact that some people can carry out such heinous acts is unacceptable and goes against all forms of international law and human decency.
The confirmation by a former member of the Wagner group is significant, as it proves that the denial by the group’s leaders was false.
The call for the perpetrators to be brought to justice is a positive step, as it sends a message that such acts will not be tolerated.
However, it remains to be seen whether this will actually happen, given the lack of comment from the Kremlin.
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