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Russia Sent a Convicted Killer to Fight in Ukraine Twice—Now Arrested for Murder Again
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A former participant in Russia’s war against Ukraine has been detained in Yakutsk on suspicion of committing another homicide, according to The Insider on February 16.
The outlet reports that the suspect had previously been convicted of multiple murders and twice left prison to sign contracts with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
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According to The Insider, the detainee is 38-year-old Viktor Savvinov, originally from the village of Kutana in Yakutia. He is suspected of involvement in what would be his fourth killing.
The Insider reports that in 2020 Savvinov was sentenced to 11 years in prison for the murder of a woman. While serving that sentence, he reportedly enlisted to fight in Ukraine. In 2024, after returning to Yakutia, he allegedly committed two additional murders. Local outlet Echo Stolitsy, cited by The Insider, identified one victim as a drinking companion.
Another outlet, SakhaDay, also cited by The Insider, reported that the second victim was 64-year-old Valentina Fyodorova, a retired teacher and widow. According to SakhaDay, Savvinov entered her home and killed her with an axe.
In the autumn of 2024, Savvinov was sentenced to 20 years in prison for those crimes, The Insider reports. However, the circumstances of his subsequent release remain unclear. Echo Stolitsy, cited by The Insider, stated that it is not known how he was freed.
At the same time, SakhaDay reported that Savvinov was released from prison on July 11, 2025, after signing another contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to SakhaDay, also cited by The Insider, Savvinov was hospitalized in Buryatia in September 2025 as a wounded serviceman and later deserted to Yakutsk. The daughter of Valentina Fyodorova told journalists:
“In September, he ended up in a hospital in Buryatia as a wounded soldier. From there, he deserted to Yakutsk. Since the end of September, I have been calling and writing letters to law enforcement agencies and the Military Prosecutor’s Office, saying that he was here on the run, that he was dangerous. But I received nothing but formal replies.”
The Insider reports that Savvinov has now been detained again in Yakutsk in connection with a new suspected murder. No further official details about the latest case have been publicly disclosed at the time of publication.
Earlier, on January 15, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation reported that Russia registered 627,900 serious and especially serious crimes in 2025—the highest figure in the past 15 years—linking the surge to the return of combatants from the war against Ukraine, including former prisoners recruited to fight.
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