Leader of a rebel military group in the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) accused of brutality war crimes and the execution of Ukrainian prisoners of war since its formation in 2014, was shot in action.
Russian military leader Vladimir Zhoga, who led the neo-Nazi Sparta battalion, was killed in Volnovakha, Ukraine, after the eleventh day of the occupation. Russiaincursions, as Putin’s troops can’t make much headway.
Zhoga’s murder was confirmed yesterday in a message from the Telegram channel of Denis Pushilin, head of the self-proclaimed DPR.
Volodymyr Zhoga (pictured) was killed in Volnovakha, Ukraine, after the eleventh day of the Russian invasion, as Putin’s forces failed to score big victories.
He wrote: “Today in Volnovakha, the commander of a separate reconnaissance battalion “Sparta”, Colonel Vladimir Zhoga, call sign Vokha, died heroically.
“He was mortally wounded while securing the exit of civilians.
“Sparta” covered the evacuation of civilians, mostly women and children. The Nazis opened fire on them…
Soldiers from the Sparta Battalion, created in 2014, pose for a group photo in 2019.
Zhoga became the group’s leader in 2016 after his predecessor, Arsen Pavlov, was killed in an IED explosion in his apartment’s elevator.
“I signed a decree on posthumously conferring the title of Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic on Vladimir Artemovich Zhoga.
“He died a heroic death, almost living to victory. But his feat brought her closer.
“I express my sincere condolences to family and friends.
‘Rest in peace, brother!’
Zhoga became the group’s leader in 2016 after his predecessor, Arsen Pavlov, was killed in an IED explosion in his apartment’s elevator.
Pavlov was accused of several war crimes, and in 2015 the Kyiv Post shared a recording of his telephone conversation with a news agency saying he had shot and killed “15 prisoners.”
“I don’t care what they accuse me of, believe it or not,” he added.
“I shot 15 prisoners. I don’t give a fuck. No comment. I will kill if I want. I don’t want if I don’t want to.
A second attempt to evacuate refugees from Mariupol was again thwarted today after the city was shelled just minutes after the ceasefire.
Some 400,000 residents were expected to evacuate today from 12 noon, with the original agreement in effect until 9 p.m., but now residents have to take shelter in bomb shelters without electricity or water.
Members of the Sparta battalion in 2020 take part in the military parade in honor of Victory Day, dedicated to the 75th anniversary of the Victory over Nazi Germany in World War II.
This followed similar attempts on Saturday, when plans to evacuate refugees were halted when shelling resumed 45 minutes after the ceasefire.
The International Committee of the Red Cross said: “Against a backdrop of horrific scenes of human suffering in Mariupol, today’s second attempt to start an evacuation of approximately 200,000 people from the city was halted.
“Failed attempts yesterday and today highlight the absence of a detailed and valid agreement between the parties to the conflict.”
However, in a telephone conversation with French President Emmanual Macron, Putin blamed Kyiv for the failed evacuation.
Instead, Putin claimed that “Ukrainian nationalists” were preventing civilians and foreign nationals from leaving the port city and nearby Volnovakha.
But Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy today warned that Russian forces were preparing to shell Odessa, a historic port city on the Black Sea coast.
In a video message, the Ukrainian leader said: “They are preparing to bomb Odessa.
“Russians have always come to Odessa. In Odessa, you always felt only warmth. Only sincerity. And now what? Bombs against Odessa? Artillery against Odessa? Missiles against Odessa?
“It would be a war crime. It will be a historical crime.”
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