Russian Suspect Identified in Execution of Ukrainian POWs at Vovchansk Plant

Ukrainian prosecutors have revealed the call signs of 4 Russian servicemen suspected of involvement in the execution of 3 Ukrainian prisoners of war at the Vovchansk Aggregate Plant during the summer of 2024, as reported by ASTRA.

The announcements follow the confirmation of a life sentence for Russian soldier Sergey Tuzhilov, known by the call sign "Altay," whose appeal was recently rejected by the Appeals Court in Kharkiv.

According to investigative findings, elements of the 1st Motorized Rifle Battalion of the 82nd Motorized Rifle Regiment, belonging to the 69th Motorized Rifle Division of the 6th Army of the Russian Leningrad Military District, occupied the plant during Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Between June and July 2024, 3 captured Ukrainian servicemen were executed at the site. A battalion commander using the call sign "Enot" allegedly issued orders to kill the captives following torture.

The executions were carried out by servicemen with the call signs "Kot" and "Altay," who fired shots into the backs of the captives' heads while escorting them.

Two additional soldiers, identified by the call signs "Koba" and "Voodoo," provided security and guarded the prisoners during transport. According to ASTRA, the commander and the two guards face charges carrying penalties of 10 to 15 years in prison or life imprisonment.

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Investigations

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Independent journalists identified the individual using the call sign "Koba" as Ruslan Kabanov, born in 1985 in the Murmansk region. Prior to his deployment, Kabanov lived in Luga, Leningrad region, and worked for a local forestry enterprise.

Contacted regarding his involvement, his spouse stated that she had not communicated with him since July 2024. She noted that he joined the military directly from prison, where he was serving a sentence for criminal offenses, and confirmed that local authorities officially declared him dead less than a month ago.

Ukrainian investigators documented the crime in cooperation with Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence. Kharkiv Regional Prosecutor Oleksandr Filchakov highlighted that the case offered a rare legal opportunity, as one suspect was held in Ukrainian custody, enabling direct trial proceedings rather than an in absentia trial.

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