Former Wagner Commanders Admit to Killing Civilians and Children in Ukraine
Two Russian men claiming to be former Wagner Group commanders have given video interviews to a human rights organization describing how they killed civilians and children during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The interviews were conducted by Gulagu.net, a Russian human rights organization, with the men describing orders to eliminate everyone in certain areas. Wagner Group chief Yevgeny Prigozhin has denied the allegations and threatened retribution against those making the claims.
In video interviews with Gulagu.net, a Russian human rights organization, two former Russian convicts identified as Azamat Uldarov and Alexey Savichev—both pardoned by Russian presidential decree in 2022—described killing civilians and children during the Wagner Group's operations in Ukraine. Uldarov detailed shooting a five- or six-year-old girl, stating he was following orders to kill anyone in his path. Savichev described orders to execute males aged 15 and older and to clear buildings regardless of civilian presence. Both men claimed Wagner fighters who refused orders were killed. CNN verified the men's release through Russian penal documents but could not independently verify their identities or claims. Wagner chief Prigozhin acknowledged seeing parts of the video and denied the accusations, threatening legal action against those spreading what he called "flagrant lies," while also stating Wagner never targets civilians or children.
What's missing
The sources do not provide independent verification of the identities of Uldarov and Savichev beyond CNN's confirmation of their pardon documents, nor do they include statements from Ukrainian authorities, international investigators, or other independent witnesses who could corroborate the specific allegations. Additionally, the circumstances under which these interviews were conducted—including whether the men were under duress or had other motivations—are not explored.
What different sources said
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Two Russians claiming to be former Wagner commanders admit killing children and civilians in Ukraine
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