Former Wagner Commanders Admit to Killing Children and Civilians in Ukraine
Kyiv, Ukraine – Two former commanders with the Wagner Group, a Russian private military company, have reportedly confessed to killing Ukrainian children and civilians during fighting in the eastern cities of Bakhmut and Soledar, according to statements made public Monday.The admissions come as international pressure mounts on the Wagner Group,which has been accused of widespread war crimes and increasingly brutal tactics in Ukraine.
The confessions, highlighted by Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian president’s office, mark a rare acknowledgement of atrocities committed during the conflict. Yermak stated via Twitter that “Russian terrorists confessed to numerous murders of Ukrainian children,” and demanded “tough and fair” punishment for those responsible. The admissions underscore growing concerns about the Wagner group’s disregard for civilian life and its role in some of the most intense battles of the war.
CNN previously reported in february, speaking to two former Wagner fighters, that recruited convicts were deployed to the front lines as ”human waves,” mirroring tactics from World War I. These fighters described a system where deserters or those refusing orders were executed, and wounded soldiers were left without evacuation.
The United states has taken steps to formally recognize the Wagner Group’s criminal activity. In January, the US Treasury Department designated Wagner as a “significant transnational criminal association” and imposed sanctions on its supporting network.Simultaneously, the US Department of State announced sanctions targeting Wagner’s infrastructure, including aviation firms, propaganda outlets, and front companies, as stated by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.