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In the countryside west of Kiev, the retreating Russian troops left a traumatized population, such as the inhabitants of the village of Motyzhyn, where a farm was the scene of torture and abuse. How to find and judge those responsible for this massacre? “Complément d’Enquête” tried to follow up on their trail. Journalists managed to contact Russian soldiers who may have been present at the scene.
Bombing of a school or a maternity hospital like in Mariupol, mass graves discovered under the eyes of the cameras… since the start of the offensive, the Russian army has been accused of violating international law and committing crimes of war in Ukraine. But how to identify the soldiers and prove that they deliberately targeted civilians? How to determine responsibilities? Almost in real time, images and videos that could help to judge the culprits are analyzed by NGOs and journalists around the world. “Complément d’Enquête” has tried to put a face to those whom History may designate as executioners.
To the west of kyiv, Motyzhyn was the scene of torture and serial executions. A farm located at the exit of the village has become the symbol of the horror that fell on the inhabitants for a month. The bodies of an entire family have been exhumed. Then those of two volunteers, probably executed by a Russian battalion whose mission was to eliminate the resistant groups in the region. Military documents that they had managed to transmit to their commander made it possible to identify a Russian infantry regiment: the 37th motorized rifle brigade, which had come from Kiakhta, in Buryatia, and to retrace its route precisely. How to prove his presence when war crimes were committed? Those responsible for the killing fled, but are now wanted.
A photo posted on a Russian social network
In an attempt to find them, “Complément d’Enquête” used a list published by the Ukrainian intelligence services. It lists more than 700 members of the 37th brigade. Among these names may be hiding the torturers of the farm. Via a Russian social network, journalists contacted some of them.
Thus, this driver-mechanic who posted a photo of him in arms. The courtyard where he poses has been identified: it is in Kolonshchyna, less than 15 kilometers north of Motyzhyn. On the phone, the soldier will quickly recognize his presence in Ukraine but will refuse to say more, contenting himself with repeating that“a Russian soldier can bear anything”.
Excerpt from “War crimes: the face of the executioners”, a document to be reviewed in “Complementary investigation” on February 16, 2023.
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