Russian soldiers reportedly shoot dead seven civilians in Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast

Two Russian soldiers have shot dead seven civilians in the city of Pokrovsk, Donetsk Oblast, after demanding alcohol.

Source: Khochu Zhyt ("I Want to Live"), a project of the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Quote: "Concerned individuals within the Russian Armed Forces informed us that rifleman Rinat Galimzyanov (born 31 May 1996, service tag AB-537852), of the 1st Assault Platoon, 2nd Assault Company, 1st Assault Battalion of the 30th Separate Motorised Rifle Brigade (military unit 45863), originally from Bashkortostan (Neftekamsk), and rifleman Alexei Agafonov (born 27 March 1987, service tag Yu-810131), of the 2nd Assault Company of the same battalion and brigade, previously convicted and originally from Buryatia (Kyakhta), broke into the basement of the building where civilians were hiding at 84 Tsentralna Street in the city of Pokrovsk, on the night of 20-21 December.

A father and son, Oleksandr Zavadskyi and Yaroslav Zavadskyi, came out to speak to the soldiers, who demanded alcohol. When they were told that there was no alcohol in the basement, the Russians opened fire and killed the father and son.

After that, having gone down into the basement, the Russian soldiers killed the family who were there: the father, Dmytro Hulko; the mother, Oksana Hulko; their son, Dmytro Hulko; and Oksana's mother, Nadiia. Another man named Oleksandr was also killed, while one more – Petro Merontsev – was wounded and pretended to be dead."

Details: The project reported that after the execution, the Russian soldiers informed their commander, alias Vudu (Voodoo), that they had destroyed a Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group and then set the house on fire.

It is also reported that on 23 December, Agafonov and Galimzyanov were detained by the 159th Military Commandant's Office and transferred to Selydove. "Judging by the fact that the situation has not become public, there will be attempts to cover up the murders," the statement said.

Background: On 27 December, Russian forces shot dead two captured Ukrainian defenders in the village of Shakhove, Pokrovsk district, Donetsk Oblast.

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