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Russell “Texas” Bentley’s Accused Murderers Seek Russian Army Contracts
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![Vlad Litnarovych]( "Vlad Litnarovych")
The widow of Russell Bentley, an American pro-Kremlin fighter who participated in Russia’s war against Ukraine in 2014 and later became a propagandist and Sputnik “war correspondent” known by his call sign “Texas,” disclosed that the four men accused of his murder intend to sign military contracts with the Russian army and return to the front lines, according to a report from Russian outlet RTVI on October 30.
Bentley’s widow, Lyudmila, said she had received insider information suggesting the suspects intend to leverage a new Russian law allowing defendants with cases in court to join the military.
“This means someone can kill, get caught—if they’re caught—be sentenced, and then head straight back to the front?” she asked.
“This is bound to instill a sense of impunity and could lead to more innocent blood being shed,” she added, arguing the law sets a dangerous precedent.
Lyudmila Bentley called for different legal standards for civilians who commit serious crimes and wish to redeem themselves versus soldiers who, “using the power of their weapon, killed an innocent person.”
She urged the court to block the suspects' return to the battlefield, warning of the risk of future victims if these men are armed again. “I am not only thinking of myself but also of their potential new victims if they are allowed back,” she said. “The court must prevent this.”
Lyudmila said she hopes the court’s decision will lead to “the harshest punishment” for the accused, ensuring they are sentenced to prison rather than returning to the military. “People around the world are waiting for justice,” she insisted, noting that thousands are closely following the case.
Russia’s Investigative Committee confirmed on October 28 that Bentley’s murder case was transferred to the Donetsk Garrison Military Court.
The accused—Russian servicemen Vitaliy Vansiatsky, Vladislav Agaltsev, Vladimir Bazhin, and Andrey Iordanov—face charges under three articles of the Russian criminal code.
The recent law permitting Russian defendants to sign contracts with the Ministry of Defense prior to a court verdict was initiated by the Russian Supreme Court.
It was passed by the Russian State Duma on September 24, approved by the Federation Council the following day, and signed into law by Putin on October 2.
Earlier, self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) defense headquarters reported that a US citizen who provided intelligence to Russian military forces has been relocated from a Ukrainian-controlled region to Russian-occupied territories.
