Relatives identify Ukrainian defender was shot dead by Russian militants

Relatives identified the Ukrainian defender who was shot dead by Russian militants. Before he died, he said his last words "Glory to Ukraine!".

According to BBC World's local producer Sofia Kochmar-Tymoshenko on Facebook, the sister of the deceased contacted her and said that she recognised her brother as the Hero.

"I recognised him. I checked it out. My sister says, '100 per cent, this is my brother. His eyes, his voice and the way he smoked a cigarette". But she asks for silence until the morning, when his colleagues will get in touch, and wants to be near his mother in the morning. Glory to the Hero!" wrote Sofia Kochmar-Tymoshenko.

As a reminder, on March 6, a video, apparently filmed by Russian militants, was posted online. In this footage, you can see a Ukrainian soldier standing near the trenches and smoking. After he says "Glory to Ukraine", he is shot. Russian swearing is heard in the background.

Attention, 18+ footage

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reacted to this brutal war crime. In his evening address to Ukrainians, he said: "Today, a video appeared showing how the occupiers brutally killed a soldier who bravely said to their faces: "Glory to Ukraine!" I want us all to respond to his words together, in unity: "Glory to the Hero! Glory to the Heroes! Glory to Ukraine!". And we will find the killers. Thanks to our unity, thanks to our determination, thanks to the fact that we value the whole of Ukraine and every Ukrainian, we know exactly the outcome of this war. We have known it since the first days of the war. In Ukraine, we will always hear: "Glory to Ukraine!" And millions will always respond: "Glory to the Heroes!". It will always be like that. Ukraine will not forget the feat of each and every one of those whose lives gave freedom to Ukraine forever."

The Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights, Dmytro Lubinets, said he had sent the video of the execution of the prisoner of war to international partners as evidence of Russia's crimes.

"The shooting of a Ukrainian soldier who was captured is a violation of the Geneva Conventions. This is a manifestation of lowliness and meanness. When the words "Glory to Ukraine" evoke respect, honour and pride all over the world, Russians shoot for the Ukrainian slogan... It is very painful to see what the occupiers are doing to our people. The goal of Ukraine, as well as the entire democratic world, is to bring the Russian Federation to justice. I have sent this video to international partners and fellow ombudsmen from around the world as a confirmation of yet another war crime committed by Russia," he added.

Meanwhile, a reward has already been announced for the murderers of the Ukrainian Hero. In particular, Ukrainian lawyer and military officer Masi Nayem initially wrote on Facebook that he would give a reward to anyone who would name the murdered man. However, Ukrainians suggested raising money to identify the killers. Some of Nayem's followers offered 5,000 euros for the name of the Russian who killed the Ukrainian soldier.

The Servant of the People faction in the Verkhovna Rada has announced that it will initiate the awarding of the title of Hero of Ukraine to the Ukrainian soldier who was shot by Russian soldiers.

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