Russian soldier accused of killing five Ukrainian servicemen and civilian remanded in custody

A Russian soldier accused of shooting dead five unarmed Ukrainian servicemen and a civilian in Kharkiv Oblast on 13 October has been remanded in custody without the right to bail.

Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office

Quote: "At the request of a prosecutor from Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, a Russian soldier suspected of murdering six people in Kharkiv Oblast has been remanded in custody without the right to bail."

Details: According to the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office, Leonid Ryzhykov shot dead a 60-year-old local civilian who was fishing in a pond near the village of Mykhailivka in the Kharkiv district on 13 October, without any apparent reason. After killing the elderly man, he pushed his body into the water.

On the same day, Ryzhykov entered a private property in the village of Momotove, where five Ukrainian servicemen were temporarily staying. At the time, they were not taking part in hostilities, were unarmed and were dressed in civilian clothes, making them civilians under the Geneva Convention relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Without any necessity, Ryzhykov ruthlessly shot these people dead, some of whom were simply sleeping.

Law enforcement officials say Ryzhykov hid his rifle and headed towards Kharkiv.

On 14 October, SSU officers, together with the National Police and the National Guard, detained him in the city's Saltivskyi district.

Background: On 15 October, the detainee was formally notified that he is suspected of committing a crime.

Your support on Patreon helps us keep the news free and accessible.