Two individuals from Russia, claiming to be former commanders of the Wagner Group, have confessed to a human rights activist that they were involved in the killing of children and civilians during their deployment in Ukraine. These admissions were made in video interviews with Gulagu.net, an organization focused on addressing corruption and torture in Russia.
The video interviews, shared online, feature Azamat Uldarov and Alexey Savichev, both of whom were reportedly pardoned by Russian presidential decrees last year, as per Gulagu.net. They recounted their actions during Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Although CNN has not independently confirmed their identities or claims, it has reviewed Russian penal documents indicating their release on presidential pardon in August and September of 2022.
Uldarov, who appeared to be under the influence of alcohol, described shooting a young girl aged five or six, stating it was a directive from his superiors to eliminate anyone in his path. He expressed a desire for Russia and other countries to know the truth, emphasizing his opposition to war and bloodshed.
The Wagner Group, a private Russian mercenary organization led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, has been active in Ukraine, recruiting thousands of fighters from Russian prisons with promises of freedom and financial incentives after six months of service. Estimates suggest that between 40,000 and 50,000 men have been recruited.
Uldarov mentioned that in the heavily contested eastern Ukrainian cities of Soledar and Bakhmut, Wagner operatives were instructed to "annihilate everyone." He pointed to Prigozhin as the ultimate authority over the commanders, who ordered that no one should escape.
In a subsequent video call with a Prigozhin-linked news agency, Uldarov appeared to retract his statements. Meanwhile, Savichev recounted orders to execute males aged 15 and older and to clear houses regardless of civilian presence, indicating a disregard for who might be inside.
Savichev also noted that Wagner fighters who disobeyed orders faced execution. Prigozhin, on his Telegram channel, acknowledged viewing parts of the video and threatened consequences for the two former fighters if their accusations were proven. He denied any harm to civilians or children, labeling such claims as lies.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president's office, insisted on accountability for the group's actions, highlighting the need for punishment for the confessed crimes against Ukrainian children in Bakhmut and Soledar.
Earlier, CNN had interviewed former Wagner fighters who described how recruits were sent to the front lines in large numbers, akin to World War I tactics, with deserters facing execution and no evacuation for the wounded.
In January, the US Treasury Department classified the Wagner Group as a significant transnational criminal organization, imposing new sanctions on its supporting network. The US Department of State also announced sanctions targeting Wagner's infrastructure, including an aviation firm and propaganda organization, as stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.