Pro-Kremlin neo-Nazi militia inciting the torture and murder of Ukrainian prisoners

A neo-Nazi pro-Kremlin group active in Ukraine is inciting atrocities against prisoners of war and explicitly advocates the torture of captives including “removing body parts”. The self-styled “Task Force Rusich” is fighting in Ukraine on behalf of the Kremlin and is linked to the notorious Wagner Group mercenaries.

A message on Rusich’s Telegram channel sent on 22 September advocates the “destruction of prisoners on the spot”.

Adam Hadley, executive director of Tech Against Terrorism, a London-based initiative supported by the United Nations, said: “Rusich, an openly neo-Nazi group highly likely operating on behalf of the Kremlin, has promoted the commission of war crimes in the conflict.

“Despite Putin’s claims, the actions of Rusich in the conflict demonstrate the concerning prominence of neo-Nazi groups committing atrocities on behalf of the Kremlin.”

Rusich fighters, known for their brutality in Syria and the 2014 war in Crimea, have been spotted on open sources in Ukraine’s Donbas region, Kherson and in the Kharkiv region.

The US Treasury department announced on 15 September that it was taking economic measures against Rusich, which it linked it to the Wagner Group. It described Rusich as “a neo-Nazi paramilitary group that has participated in combat alongside Russia’s military in Ukraine”.

Hadley said: “We strongly encourage other democracies to consider applying meaningful sanctions against Rusich and explore whether it is appropriate to designate Rusich or the Wagner Group a terrorist organisation.”

“We believe broader designation of Rusich will almost certainly significantly reduce its ability to coordinate attacks, recruit militants, and spread propaganda using internet platforms and messaging apps.”

The Rusich Telegram post contains specific and detailed instructions for the channel’s followers on the “disposal of prisoners of war from the armed forces of Ukraine”.

Its key points also include explicit instructions to murder captives after interrogation and encourages forcing the families of murdered captives to pay Rusich for the coordinates of their loved ones’ bodies.

It says the capture of Ukrainians should not be reported to the pro-Kremlin command, and if a report has to be made, it should say that the captive is already injured or dying.

The post appears to have been made in response to the recent negotiated release of prisoners by Russia which included five Britons.