Recent reports have revealed a disturbing incident in the Moscow-occupied part of Kherson, where two Russian soldiers went on a drunken killing spree. The soldiers, identified as members of the 144th Guards Motor Rifle Division, were arrested on April 24 on suspicion of murder.
The soldiers, Alexander Kaygorodtsev, 36, and Alexander Osipov, 34, confessed to killing at least five people and admitted to hiding the bodies of additional victims. The brutal nature of their crimes included burning houses of residents who refused to provide them with alcohol. They also resorted to disfiguring some of their victims, using grenades and fire to destroy evidence.
One of the victims, Lyubov Tymchak, was shot by the soldiers for refusing to comply with their demands. The motives behind these heinous acts remain puzzling, especially considering that some of their victims were fellow Russian servicemen.
While no official charges have been filed yet, the soldiers are expected to face an investigation by the 126th Military Investigation Department of the Russian Investigative Committee. Kaygorodtsev, who has a prior conviction for murder and drug trafficking, could potentially face a life sentence if found guilty of the new murders.
These killings are seen as part of the ongoing violence and turmoil within the Russian-occupied regions of Ukraine. Reports have highlighted various crimes committed against Ukrainian residents, including attacks on the LGBTQ+ population in Kherson.
Furthermore, a human rights NGO watchdog report detailed deliberate targeting of LGBTQ+ residents by Russian forces. Survivors of these crimes have been reluctant to seek help from law enforcement due to fears of lack of support.
In a separate incident, the body of a Ukrainian Orthodox priest, Father Stepan, was found in Kalanchak with signs of possible torture. The local bishop alleged that Russian forces had detained and tortured the priest, leading to his tragic death.
