Russian special forces commander robbed a family of entrepreneurs in Kherson region

A platoon commander of the Russian Guard's Ahmat rapid response unit, who robbed a family of local businessmen during the occupation of Kherson region, will be brought to trial.

This was reported by the Kherson Regional Prosecutor's Office on November 5.

Investigators found that in 2022, the platoon commander of a special forces unit, together with his subordinates, ensured the occupation regime in part of the territory of Kherson region. Their activities included the deployment of military equipment, forceful raids on private homes, detention of civilians, physical violence, and misappropriation of local residents' property.

In November of the same year, Russian military personnel led by the accused broke into the yard of an entrepreneurial family in Kherson. Referring to the alleged 'search' for the head of the family, they began to threaten his wife and adult son, demanding to know where the man was. When they did not answer, the commander forced the son into the car, hit him in the head with a gun and continued beating him in the yard in the presence of his mother.

After the owner returned home, the soldier forced him to get into the car and drive together to the warehouse where the family's equipment was stored. On the way, he made a demand: 80 thousand US dollars in exchange for a 'guarantee that his son will not be killed'. The money was later handed over by his wife.

Upon returning to the house, the occupiers conducted a so-called'search' and claimed to have 'found' an assault rifle. Threatening criminal prosecution for 'illegal possession of weapons', they forced the family to sign blank 'sale and purchase agreements', as well as hand over documents and keys to the equipment. As a result, the commander and his accomplices illegally seized 12 trucks, 12 trailers and a boat.

He is charged with cruel treatment of civilians and other violations of the laws and customs of war committed by a group of persons by prior conspiracy (Article 28(2), Article 438(1) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Катерина Глушко