"Throw them all, bitch, under the bus!": SSU releases evidence of a criminal order to shoot civilians

VALENTYNA ROMANENKO – WEDNESDAY, 10 AUGUST 2022, 11:20

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) has compiled a comprehensive evidential basis on Anton Struev, the Russian occupier, who gave orders to shoot civilians during the occupation of the Kyiv region in March.

Source: SSU press service, Kyiv region prosecutor's office

Quote: "In the course of operational and investigative actions, the SSU has gathered indisputable evidence that the personnel officer, commander of the reconnaissance battalion of the 15th "Peacekeeping" Brigade of the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation, personally gave orders to shoot civilians during the occupation of a village in the Brovary district of the Kyiv region.

The SSU has an intercepted telephone conversation in which the Berkut [a special unit of the Russian Guard] gives this criminal order to a subordinate: "Kill everyone there, f**k! If there are civilians – throw them all, bitch, under the bus!".

Details: The prosecutor's office clarifies that Struev, who is suspected of the cruel treatment of the civilian population, was notified in absentia of a new suspicion – giving an order to inflict cruel treatment on the civilian population.

According to the investigation, in the villages of Mokrets and Zavorychi, the occupier personally captured unarmed civilians and brutally interrogated them, using torture.

Quote from SSU: "It was established that on the morning of 22 March 2022, after one such harsh interrogation, subordinates of the Berkut took aim at a local resident who happened to be nearby. At the moment when the civilian turned his back to them, Struev ordered them to shoot him. The occupiers left the man to die. 

He survived after being severely wounded. He recognised his would-be killer and is ready to testify against him in an international court.

The SSU reiterates the inevitability of severe punishment for every occupier who has committed crimes against civilians."

Earlier: In May, Anton Struev, commander of the Motor Rifle Company of the 15th "Peacekeeping" Brigade of the 2nd Guards Combined Arms Army of the Central Military District of the Russian Federation, was charged with cruelty to the civilian population (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

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