Translated material
Ukraine launches investigation into video of torture of soldier in Ukrainian uniform
The Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine announced the opening of a criminal case over a video in which “persons in the uniform of servicemen of the Russian Armed Forces torture a prisoner in the uniform of a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The investigation is being conducted under the article “violation of the laws and customs of war.”
The video that prompted the investigation appeared online midweek. It is unknown where and when it was filmed.
Video Description
The video shows a tied-up man, believed to be a captured Ukrainian soldier, having his genitals cut off. Another video was later released showing the man being shot in the head.
After the video was distributed, attempts were made to identify the person who tortured the man. His distinctive hat was captured on camera; the same hat was worn by an unknown armed man in the RIA Novosti video about "fighters of the Chechen "Akhmat" and the LNR people's militia" at the Azot plant in Severodonetsk and in a similar video on the "Military Chronicle" channel.
On July 29, the Ukrainian media put forward versions of the identity of the alleged criminal. Various sources claimed that it was Vitaliy Aroshanov or Arslan Aroshanov. Both of them are listed in the Mirotvorets website database as participants in pro-Russian armed formations during the war in eastern Ukraine. The website says that they are brothers born in Elista.
There is no independent confirmation that any of them are indeed the man in the hat from the torture video and from the videos from the Azov plant.
The Astra publication contacted Vitaly Aroshanov, who, according to journalists, took part in the fighting, was recently concussed and is in Russia undergoing treatment. When asked about the video of the torture of a prisoner, he replied: "No comment, and don't call me again, otherwise I will complain about you."