A Russian army commander accused of involvement in the killing of civilians in the Ukrainian city of Bucha has been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel, according to all available evidence.
Russia’s Defense Ministry named the officer as Colonel Azatbek Omurbekov in a statement Friday, the first to award him the title.
“For three weeks, under the leadership of Colonel Omurbekov, the brigade’s units repulsed more than 50 enemy attacks with tanks, infantry fighting vehicles and heavy artillery,” the Telegram said in a statement with the slogan “#HeroesZ”.
Ukraine’s Defense Ministry tweeted on Saturday that Azatbek Omurbekov of Russia’s 64th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade had been promoted.
“For [the] in the civilized world, he is an executioner, a murderer, a rapist, a robber, “he wrote on Twitter on Saturday. “But for [the] He is a “hero” of the Kremlin, adding that the increase will have the effect of “motivating him to commit new war crimes.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin presented the honorary title of “guard” to Colonel Omurbekov’s unit earlier this month.
The United Kingdom said on Thursday it was imposing new sanctions on what it called “key leaders in the Russian army – aimed at those who command the front line to carry out these heinous acts”. Among them was the commander of the Russian military unit that occupied Bucha, whom he identified as Lieutenant Colonel Omurbekov, a rank under Colonel.
Hundreds were found dead in Bucha, a town north of Kyiv, after Russian forces withdrew from the city a few weeks ago, including some with their hands tied. Russia has denied allegations that its forces were involved in the killings of civilians.
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